Lone Star Film Festival

Eligibility

1. We welcome submissions in the following categories: narrative features (90–120 min. recommended), documentary features (60–120 min. recommended), and narrative and documentary shorts (under 60 min. recommended). International films are eligible provided they are in English or accompanied by English subtitles.

2. To be eligible for a competitive category, your film must not have previously screened in Fort Worth or the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

3. Submitted films must be available for screening during the festival in November 2026.

4. Filmmakers must have obtained all necessary clearances for public exhibition and must certify that the work is wholly original and that no disputes regarding ownership or rights exist at the time of submission.
Submission process

5. All entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway as an online screener. A password-protected Vimeo link is strongly recommended. Submissions sent by any other method will not be considered.

6. You may submit multiple films. Each submission requires its own entry fee. Non-refundable Entry fees are non-refundable under all circumstances, in accordance with LSFF policy.

7. All entries must be submitted by August 21, 2026. Notifications of selections will be sent no later than September 25, 2026. Films are only considered for awards following official selection.

Screening & rights

8. By submitting, you grant the Lone Star Film Festival & Society a non-exclusive license to screen your film solely in connection with the 2026 festival, contingent on official acceptance.

9. By submitting, you authorize LSFF to use excerpts, highlights, and/or trailers from your film on the LSFF website and in marketing materials promoting the 2026 festival and future LSFF editions. LSFF will not screen or distribute your film outside the scope of festival promotion.

10. LSFF does not pay screening fees for accepted films.

11. Exhibition materials must be submitted as uploaded DCPs or digital files. LSFF strongly discourages shipping physical media such as hard drives or thumb drives and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any physical materials received.

Awards & programming

12. Official selection does not guarantee eligibility for awards.

13. LSFF reserves the right to program any submitted film out of competition during the festival.

Filmmaker benefits

14. Included: Each selected film will receive two (2) All-Access Passes and a limited allotment of complimentary tickets to the 2026 Lone Star Film Festival.

15. LSFF does not provide paid transportation or lodging for filmmakers or their representatives attending the festival.