REELpoetry/HoustonTX 2025 is an international, curated, hybrid poetry film festival taking place online March 31- April 4; in person APRIL 5-6; with online workshops April 7-11. REEL's on the radar of curators, presenters and festival directors from Australia to Canada, from Ireland to Mexico. You can connect with them and with one another at parties and premieres in person, or online with twice daily access at our REELcafe in real-time.
REELpoetry explores the intersection of poetry and film or video, with artists working solo or collaboratively, on a cell phone or in a studio, with new or remixed or previously created work. Everyone worldwide is invited to submit their best work, created in the past or the present, up to a maximum of 6 minutes.
In addition to open submissions, the festival includes 45 minute curated programs, premieres, commissioned collaborations, live readings, poetry in sign language, youth events, craft workshops, poet+filmmaker talks and networking cafés. In 2025, all screenings, including those shown exclusively at the in-person events, will stream on-demand.
We’re always adding new features and creative energy from around the globe to elevate the festival. Here’s a small sample of what people are saying “This festival just keeps getting better and better…” ”. “This is a great festival, meticulously organized and hosted…” “What a wonderful festival! I was blown away by the array of poetry films and filmmakers I was exposed to”
UNIQUE AND SPECIAL: People who give us five star ratings (that's absolutely everyone!) rave about the online REELcafe. Hosted online twice a day by festival director, Fran Sanders, this live zoom event allows artists and attendees to meet in real time, network, talk about the day's screening, or any topic they want. It's an opportunity for anyone online to connect internationally, talk directly to the curators and presenters, see old friends, make new ones, tell people about your work and much, much more. We'd love to meet you there!
NEW! What could be better than videopoetry to engage coming generations of tech savvy youth. We’re delighted to support poets and filmmakers 18 and under at the festival with a new FREE “Young Creatives” program. If you’re a parent or a teacher, please encourage your kids to submit to this free program. Please go to web page on publicpoetry.net for details and information about submitting.
NEW IN 2025! We're thinking about categories differently, and curious to see how one category where the poet and filmmaker are the same person and another where the poet and filmmaker are different plays out. Five notable international curators and presenters who have participated in our past festivals will be judging the submissions. They can't wait to see your work!
We're truly excited to see your work, and it'll be great to meet you online at the REELcafe or in person at REEL 2025!
REELpoetry/HoustonTX is a project of Public Poetry (publicpoetry.net).
A total of six cash prizes will be awarded for Judges' Choice and Audience Choice. All work selected for the festival will receive Official Entry laurels. Laurels will also be awarded in "Best" categories, and maybe there'll be a trophy or two!
