Welcome to REELpoetry. We’re an international poetry film festival online and in-person in Houston, Texas, showcasing short films and videos infused with poetry, or having a strong poetic sensibility. We’re open to poems intertwined in film or video, as well as work that’s Wordless, Experimental, Animated, orDocumentary. All submissions are reviewed by an panel of internationally recognized talent and festivals directors.

Our festival’s on the radar of curators, presenters and festival directors from Australia to Austria, India to Ireland.. They'll be at the Festival in-person at parties and premieres, or online in real-time at REELcafé.

We show a mix of US and World Premieres, themed programs, juried submissions, commissioned collaborations, ASL performances, work by young creatives, plus craft and poet+filmmaker talks.

Weekdays online festival director, Fran Sanders, hosts REELcafés in real time, so you can see-and-be-seen wherever you are! Great for networking globally, you'll meet judges, curators, international festival directors and talent to talk about the screenings, your own work, questions, ideas, etc. This 90 minute program is

There's more going on throughout the year. Online, we offer craft talks, networking events, and a ‘help wanted’ newsletter for poets, filmmakers and videographers looking for collaborators, and more.

All of us at REELpoetry are passionate about what we do, and look forward to seeing your work. It'll also be great to get to meet you at REELpoetry 2026 in-person or online. See you in September!

Awards & Prizes

Four winners will be chosen for the 2026 REELpoetry Prize one in each category. They will each recieve a coveted trophy.

BEST Laurels and a certificate will be awarded for work in the following categories:
Free Verse Poem; Formal Poetry; Narrative Poem; Solo work; Experimental; Animation; Documentary; Silent; Soundscape, Music, Cinematography, Creativity, Small Budget, Under 18.

All Winners and Bests will have their work featured at the theater in front of a live audience, as well as being screened online twice; on their assigned day as well as part of a separate Winners' Program.. You'll also receive a free one year Community Membership or upgrade if you've already joined, and all the benefits that go with it. [see https://REELpoetry.org/community for details]

Rules & Terms

Please read VERY carefully

Anyone from any country is eligible to submit.

1. You must enter in the correct category which is explained in the Category section. The categories are: (1) Poetry; (2) Poetic Sensibility; (3) Greater Houston (4 ) Under 18 .

2. All entries in these 4 categories must be 6 MINUTES OR LESS, including credits.

3. You can submit in any language, but an English translation must be included on screen or with closed captioning..

4. You can submit new OR pre-existing work, OR a repurposed combination of both

5. Filmmakers may use footage in the public domain from sites like Creative Commons (creativecommons.org)

6. Any use of AI must be acknowledged in the credits.

7. DO NOT submit film of just a person reading their poem.

10 You can submit as often as you like, but each entry must be submitted separately.

NOTE: Community Members get a 25% discount on the submission fee. For your membership, go to: https://reelpoetry.org/community

By submitting to REELpoetry/Houston TX you acknowledge that work is yours, and that you have obtained permission(s) where required. We may request your permission to include your work in a curated program that may travel nationally and/or internationally.
38 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation

    We appreciated the fine curation and community spirit of this festival. Our thanks to REELpoetry and Public Poetry for their continued championing of film and video poetry!

    April 2025
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  • Micha Kunze

    What a joy and honor to see 'Murphy Was An Optimist' included in your fantastic festival!

    April 2025
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  • Greg Roensch

    Thanks to the festival for selecting my film "How Much Filipino." I enjoyed watching it online with a group of inspiring films. Congratulations to the organizers and all the filmmakers.

    April 2025
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  • Kevin Dublin

    What a wonderful festival! I was blown away by the array of poetry films and filmmakers I was exposed to as a part of the online screenings and talks. Houston is also a wonderful place to visit, and everyone I met was lovely. Thank you to the REELpoetry and Public Poetry teams!

    May 2024
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  • Christina Shah

    Wonderful festival dedicated to videopoetry. Thank you to the organizers for screening 'rig veda' and for all the work you have done to ensure this festival's success. Very well-curated and diverse selections. Welcoming atmosphere and good networking opportunities online (many in-person opportunities as well, though I was not able to attend).

    April 2024
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