The 9th annual Nacogdoches Film Festival (CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FILMMAKERS) is now open for submission of entries into our five competition categories: Short Film, Independent Feature Film, High School Short Film, and our newest two competitions, Music Videos and Documentaries.

The Deadline for all entries is January 1, 2020 and the Festival will be held on February 20-22, 2020 at the iconic Fredonia Hotel in downtown Nacogdoches, the "Oldest Town in Texas." Winners will be notified on or about February 1, 2020. The film competitions are open to filmmakers around the world.

While other film festivals cater to established filmmakers, our focus is to help nurture the NEXT GENERATION OF TEXAS FILMMAKERS. We strive to celebrate films with a Texas connection (filmmaker, location, or subject matter) and feature customized film industry panels, as well as our competitions for best short film, best feature film, best documentary film, best music video, and best high school short film.

Although the Nacogdoches Film Festival focuses primarily on films and filmmakers with a tie to the state of Texas, past winners in our various competitions have come from throughout the United States and Europe.

Awards & Prizes

• Best INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM — $300 & commemorative plaque, plus showing film during NacFilmFest. Winner will also receive two (2) VIP ALL-ACCESS passes to the 2020 NacFilmFest.

• Best SHORT FILM — $300 & commemorative plaque, plus showing film during NacFilmFest. Winner will also receive two (2) VIP ALL-ACCESS passes to the 2020 NacFilmFest.

• Best DOCUMENTARY FILM — $300 & commemorative plaque, plus showing film during NacFilmFest. Winner will also receive two (2) VIP ALL-ACCESS passes to the 2020 NacFilmFest.

• Best MUSIC VIDEO — $300 & commemorative plaque, plus showing video during NacFilmFest. Winner will also receive two (2) VIP ALL-ACCESS passes to the 2020 NacFilmFest.

• Best HIGH SCHOOL SHORT FILM — Commemorative Plaque, plus showing video during NacFilmFest, for the winner. In addition, the top ten high school submissions will also be shown during the film festival. (NOTE: High school student films are not eligible for monetary prizes). Winner will also receive two (2) VIP ALL-ACCESS passes to the 2020 NacFilmFest.

Rules & Terms

The Nacogdoches Film Festival will be considering entries in the categories of short film, independent feature length film, documentary film, music video, and high school short film submissions.

SHORT FILMS are restricted to a maximum running time of twenty (20) minutes to be considered.

INDEPENDENT FEATURE FULL-LENGTH FILMS must have a minimum running time of at least forty (40) minutes and a maximum running time of one hundred (100) minutes to be considered.

DOCUMENTARY FILMS must have a minimum running time of at least forty (40) minutes and a maximum running time of one hundred (100) minutes to be considered.

MUSIC VIDEOS are restricted to a maximum running time of six (6) minutes to be considered.

HIGH SCHOOL SHORT FILMS are restricted to a maximum running time of eighteen (18) minutes to be considered.

The Nacogdoches Film Festival is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose revenues go toward scholarships for film students at Stephen F. Austin State University. We have a firm policy of NOT WAIVING entry fees.

All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

5 Reviews
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  • Jenna Covarrubias

    Everyone was so friendly! We had a great time. Thanks again Nacogdoches Film Festival!

    March 2019
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  • Doug Underwood

    Very nice Festival. Good panels with industry professionals willing to help, guide and support indie film makers.

    March 2019
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  • Heather Mathews

    This festival was wonderful. Great networking. Beautiful, quaint downtown area. Great people! We enjoyed the films. And, most definitely will be attending next year!

    March 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Heather. It was terrific meeting you this year.

  • Grant Moore

    Such a down to earth and real festival. Could not be more impressed by the way it was run and the courtesy shown to me as a filmmaker. Easily going on my list of annual submissions.

    April 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Grant. It was great to see you again this past year, too.

  • Chris Greening

    Nothing was clear and the place is hard to find.

    March 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Sorry for your confusion, Chris. 2017 was the first year for our High School competition and, unfortunately, the 2017 NacFilmFest was scattered all over town while our primary venue, The Fredonia Hotel, was undergoing a complete renovation. We hope you give us another shot.