Exclusive discount code in honor of the new year! Enter TheWestern2025 for 25% off!

The Western Film Festival had its name derived from The Great Western Trail Drive but it is not just a film festival for western films! We accept and showcase film genres of all types from horror, comedy, time travel, animation, and yes, even westerns! We have custom prizes for the winners and goodie bags for all selected filmmakers who attend! If you come for The Western Film Festival at Jackalopes Golf and Games in Coleman, Texas you can also visit the many unique stores in town and eat at the finest establishments whenever your hunger hit!

Make sure you explore Coleman whenever you come to The Western Film Festival April 24, 25, & 26, 2025!

We offer CUSTOM Belt Buckles for Best Feature Film and Best Short Film!!

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Music Video
Fan Favorite Film

Rules & Terms - SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

By submitting your film to TWFF, you acknowledge that you have read the rules and agree with them. If you have questions, please contact us.

If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the The Western Film Festival: You also must be prepared to supply at least three electronic images (publicity stills) either in jpeg or PDF format, 300dpi, for publication purposes. Press kits would be helpful, but not required.

All film finalists are required to provide two high resolution MOV files.

If your film is selected and it's a large file, it may have to be mailed to us on a thumbdrive. If you have short films under 30 min, we can download them. Your copies will not be returned unless a prepaid SASE is sent to us.

Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print and at live Festival events. All entries must be in English, contain English subtitles or be dubbed in English.

Works in Progress: While entrants are permitted to submit films that are not fully complete (i.e.,without final color correction and sound mixing), please note that the festival committee will accept the version submitted. Completed work or replacement copies MUST be uploaded or in our hands no later than April 23, 2025.

The Western Film Festival and Jackalope's Golf & Games is not responsible for incorrect wording in publications or on awards if the entry information is incorrect or illegible.

All entry fees are nonrefundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received and notification of results. These fees must be paid during the entry process.

By entering The Western Film Festival competition, all entrants agree to hold harmless The Western Film Festival, Fading Yellow Studios, Jackalope's Golf & Games, owners, employees, associated Boards of Directors, Officers, Staff and Volunteers from all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation with the festival.

You must execute a release agreement wherein you accept responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit your film at The Western Film Festival, warrant you have the rights necessary to exhibit your film; and indemnify and hold harmless The Western Film Festival, its parent company Fading Yellow Studios, affiliates, subsidiaries and any of the respective officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising from exhibition of your film at the The Western Film Festival.

Effective as of April 12, 2022: The Western Film Festival will not sign any NDA's, waivers, or letters of guarantee to receive digital copies of selected films. If submitter requires any of the sort before sending the required digital copy their film will be removed from showing.

ATTENDANCE
If you are selected and win, you are expected to attend the festival and the Award Ceremony. If you cannot attend the ceremony, you must find someone to represent you and claim your award, on stage. Only attending or represented filmmakers will be awarded, with no exceptions. We do not ship awards.

SUBMITTERS, IF YOUR FILM(S) ARE SELECTED, YOU'LL RECEIVE TWO (2) FREE VIP FILM SCREENING PASSES FOR THE WEEKEND SCREENINGS AND AWARD SHOW ON SATURDAY!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tyler Mann

    The Western Film Festival was so much fun! It is very apparent how hard the crew behind the festival works to ensure everyone who attends and all the filmmakers have the best time possible.

    There's a wide variety of things to do apart of the festival as well! They curated a great lineup of films and had opportunities for networking at their parties and were very generous.

    Coleman, TX is a beautiful small town as well that is very hospitable and makes everyone feel welcome. I highly recommend submitting and attending The Western Film Festival!

    April 2025
  • Francis Juarez

    Amazing!!!! Super excited to be a part of the festival, and to get Anna Peña recognized for her incredible work!!! Looking forward to presenting more work next year!
    Thank you to the entire team. It was an honor.

    April 2025
  • Jessica DeJohn

    We were honored to be a part of the Western Film Festival. The director, John Langley, was top-notch. He was quick to communicate, and you knew he loved what he was doing. We look forward to being a part of another festival soon or supporting fellow filmmakers who get accepted to The Western Film Festival.

    September 2024
  • Ron Chaney

    We were honored to be selected to The Western Film Festival. Thank you for recognizing our work. I hope to win that buckle next time. Great job.

    August 2024
  • Ashley Billington

    The spring rains welcomed us to Coleman, Texas for one of the most notable film festivals in the country. There's plenty of evidence to suggest Coleman was once a thriving oil town. And there's plenty of evidence to show that the pilot-light hadn't burned out.
    Anchoring the Coleman renaissance are boutique shops, trendy eateries, and the Western Film Festival.
    John and his team were gracious hosts and helpful ambassadors. Their love of film resonates with everyone who enters the festival's historic venue.
    From short films to full-length features, we enjoyed watching an array of movies with visitors, locals and filmmakers from around the country.
    It's rare to discuss independent filmmaking without using the word 'family.' We're delighted to include the Western Film Festival as part of that family and we look forward to subsequent visits to Coleman. Our film was "The Dark Hammock"

    June 2024