PWFF-Dallas, is an off-shoot of the Playhouse West Film Festival in Los Angeles, established in 1997. In 2023, Artistic Directors/Instructors, and PWFF Directors, Richard Maddox and Tamara Olson, moved to Dallas and founded a branch of the world-renown school, Playhouse West-Dallas. This year, in 2026, the school will host its first annual film festival in the Dallas and plans to continue this event annually, just like it's been held in Los Angeles.
The Playhouse West Film Festival screens films showcasing the filmmaking and acting talents of the Playhouse West students, both current and former. As a Meisner-based acting school (Sanford Meisner taught there late in his teaching career), Playhouse West is the only acting school which not only inspires its acting students to take control of their careers by making their own projects, but it also hosts a top-notch festival where they can show off their work.
All films must either have a Playhouse West member in a leading or primary supporting acting role, or as the director, writer or producer, D.P., editor, etc.
The Playhouse West Film Festival-Dallas is sponsored by the Playhouse West Dallas Arts Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the inspiration, education and development of motion picture and theater artists of independent vision, and to the exhibition of their work. By sponsoring programs such as the Playhouse West Film Festival, we can also educate the public about the art of filmmaking and introduce them to the work of aspiring new film artists of the future.
The Playhouse West Film Festival is well-known as one of the most positive, filmmaker-friendly festivals in the country. Each year we hear more and more from filmmakers that our festival has been their favorite. From our well organized, run-on-time format to our unique Q&As after each screening block, giving filmmakers a platform to discuss their films at length with our audience, we take great pride in making our festival a fantastic experience for filmmakers.
As an institution, Playhouse West leads the way in encouraging young filmmakers. Playhouse West members from Los Angeles, Philadelphia and now Dallas produce over 250 films per year, many which go one to be accepted and win awards at film festivals around the country and world.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Jury Awards/Both Feature and Short Film Categories
Best Supporting Actress & Actor
Best Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress & Actor
Best Picture/Film

Audience Choice Awards
Best Actress & Actor
Best Picture

Rules & Terms

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: We strongly encourage you to review the following carefully. By submitting your project, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all of the following rules and terms. We will not be responsible for refunding submission fees when the guidelines are not properly followed. All projects that have been submitted by our final deadline and that adhere to the following terms will be considered for inclusion in the 2026 Playhouse West Dallas Film Festival.

1. ALL ENTRIES MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER. In the cover letter YOU MUST LIST THE FULL NAMES OF THE PLAYHOUSE WEST MEMBERS, current or alumni, involved in the production, i.e., actor, director, writer, producer. Acting roles should list the character names played, and if the member was a leading or supporting role.

2. We only screen films where at least one Playhouse West member, current of alumni, is involved in the production of the film (actor, writer, director, producer, D.P., editor, etc.)

Any entry without a cover letter will not be in consideration for the film festival.

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS:

1. For Submissions: We only accept Secure Online Submissions or Vimeo link via the Film Freeway website.

Our committee will pre-screen rough cuts of films, but only if they are picture-locked with the precise run time, including all end credits. When submitting a rough cut please include in the cover letter precisely what is unfinished and when your final edit will be completed. The committee may require an updated version before making final selections. We do not screen un-completed films at our festival.

2. For Accepted Films: Exhibition copies must be delivered as an MP4 digital video files, exported H.264, 1920x1080, highest quality settings and codecs. The exact specs will be emailed out upon acceptance. Final screening copies must be received via our Dropbox account two weeks prior to festival dates. A link to this account will be supplied upon acceptance.

3. Entries must be in English or be subtitled in English.

4. Our festival only accepts/screens narrative, live-action films, any genre. Please note we do not screen documentaries, animated films, web series, experimental films, trailers, TV pilots or music videos.

5. We only accept films which have been produced and completed within three (3) years of our festival dates.

6. Our festival has no distribution restrictions.

7. All entrants agree, if accepted, to permit the Playhouse West Film Festival - Dallas, sponsored by the Playhouse West Dallas Arts Foundation, Inc., to exhibit their film entry at our 2026 Film Festival event, Sept 19, 2026. Entrants permit the PWFF - Dallas organization to use their film's titles, as well as filmmaker, cast, and other main production team names and photos on any or all promotional material, including posters, trailers & promo videos, flyers, website and other media outlets.