Named one of MovieMaker Magazines "Top 50 Film Festival's Worth The Entry Fee" in 2015, for three consecutive years.

Past films include:

THE IMITATION GAME - MR. TURNER - WILD - WINTER SLEEP - THE ARTIST - THE DESCENDANTS - SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK - AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY - NEBRASKA - IT FOLLOWS - SHAME - PHILOMENA - MEADOWLAND - CAROL - ANOMALISA - LION - NERDLAND - MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE - SIDNEY HALL - THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN

In addition to great films, the LSFF provides opportunities to interact with leaders of the indie film world. Past guests and honorees of the festival include:

Cybill Shepherd - Terry Allen - Jane Seymour - Clint Black - David Lowery - Don Henley - Malcolm McDowell - Bill Paxton - Joanna Kerns - Julian Schnabel - Billy Bob Thornton - Jeff Bridges - Robert Duvall - T Bone Burnett - Willie Nelson - Martin Sheen - Robert Rodriguez - Melonie Diaz - Ron White - Elizabeth Avellan - Lyle Lovett - Louis Black - Billy Joe Shaver - John Lee Hancock

“The Lone Star Film Festival shines brightly…Movie enthusiasts may come to Sundance Square this weekend to see anticipated national releases…but chances are good they will leave talking about the auspicious films with Texas ties.”
- The New York Times

The Lone Star Film Festival is held each year in downtown Fort Worth’s Sundance Square, which serves as the cultural and social center of downtown. Fort Worth is the 16th largest city in the nation, and the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex consistently ranks among the top five media markets in the U.S.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award ($1,000)
Best Feature Film Award ($750)
Best Documentary Film Award ($750)
Cine-Más Award ($750)
Audience Choice Award ($750)
Best Short Film Award ($400)
Best Texas Film Award ($500)
Best Student Film ($100)

Rules & Terms

1. We encourage submissions in the form of narrative feature-length films (90-120 minutes recommended), documentary feature-length films (60-120 minutes recommended), and narrative and documentary short-length films (under 30 minutes recommended). International films are also welcome but must either be in English or have English subtitles.

2. Films must be available for screening during the festival, November 2018.

3. By submitting a film, you grant the Lone Star Film Festival & Society permission to screen your film, if said film is officially accepted into the 2018 lineup.

4. By submitting a film, you acknowledge that the Lone Star Film Festival DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES for accepted films.

5. By submitting a film, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer) to be placed on the LSFF website and used for other marketing and promotional purposes. You also agree to allow LSFF to promote the following year's festival with the above excerpts, highlights and/or trailers. LSFF will never solicit or screen your film outside the promotion of the LSFF.

6. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee.

7. The only acceptable way to submit your film is via FilmFreeway, as an online screener (vimeo password protected link is recommended).

8. The selected works will be exhibited digitally (shorts only) and on Blu-ray & DCP (features only).

9. In accordance with the LSFF policy, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of LSFF.

10. Filmmakers must have obtained all clearances for exhibition and must certify that the work is original and no disputes regarding ownership exist with the film.

11. All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway by August 14, 2018.

12. Notification of selections will be by September 18, 2018. Only then will the film be considered for awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you, your actors or crew will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event. We do promise a good time, however.

13. Lone Star Film Festival accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of entries during shipment to or from Lone Star Film Festival.

14. To be eligible for the film competition categories films, your film must not have previously screened in Fort Worth or the surrounding Dallas/Fort Worth area.

15. LSFF may choose to screen a submitted film out-of-competition during the festival if a category is filled.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • J. H. Guy

    LSFF has really grown in the past three years in terms of their communication, quality of films, and the overall smoothness of the whole festival.

    It was a really great time and a place where your film will be valued and respected.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Gregory A. Beck

    Really enjoyed my time at the 2018 Lone Start Film Festival. Met some great folks and look forward to coming back next year.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Abigail Wright

    Great festival, wonderful choices and communication. I'm so sorry we weren't able to attend, but we heard from friends how lovely the staff and other filmmakers were who attended. Thank you so much for including us in your fantastic lineup.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Nicholas Thurkettle

    Came highly recommended to me by another filmmaker and totally-fulfilled her praise! One of the friendliest and smoothest-run festivals I have ever had the pleasure to attend; at every stage of the process there was clear communication and well-prepared volunteers. The festival even had its own custom app with descriptions and screening information for every film - we planned out everything we wanted to watch and didn't need to fumble with maps or programs. Ft. Worth is a terrific city and we would have happily spent triple the time there just checking out sights and neighborhoods. Solid programming, wonderful venues, parties and chances to socialize all day long, and a team whose love for film shines through in every way. Was proud to be part of this lineup and am definitely adding this to my "submit every year" list!

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Mary Beth Minnis

    The Lone Star Film Festival was a wonderful experience!

    November 2018
    Helpful