Festival Overview

The purpose of the West Texas Film Festival is to screen diverse films from both directors and producers that would not normally be featured in West Texas as well as regional media makers. We seek short films, documentaries, features, animation and student films as well as screenplays from all over the world that have the pioneer spirit of filmmaking. We are a registered nonprofit organization in the State of Texas.

History

The festival was started by a grant in 2016 from Odessa Arts. The Education Day brings in over 100 high school students in the Permian Basin for workshops on acting, screenwriting, directing and producing. This is the fourth year of the festival.

The 2019 WTXFF will feature the following showcases:

Opening Night Gala (Nov 21st)
Education Day (Nov 22nd)
Football Films (Nov 22nd)
WorldView (November 23rd)
Awards Ceremony (November 23rd)

If you have films about football, Texas or international films with English subtitles, please submit them.

Please do not contact us about fee waivers. We are a small, grant funded festival that relies on submission fees.

Awards

Best Feature Film | Best Short Film | Best Documentary Film | Best Student Film |Best TV Pilot Script | Best Screenplay

All category winners will receive a 5 gallon Cowboy Hat Award.

Best Screenplay winner will receive the following prizes:

1. The Best Screenplay and Best TV Pilot winners of the 2019 West Texas Film Festival will receive an InkTip Script Listing to promote themselves and their scripts to InkTip’s entire network of producers, managers, and agents. Companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, 20th Century Fox, and many more. Producers have made more than 375 films from scripts and writers found through InkTip.

2. A free copy of Final Draft 10 screenwriting software

Open to the public and the world. We will accept films from anyone that can create a good quality film.

All films must either be in English or have English subtitles. No exceptions.

No films less than 5 minutes in length will be accepted.

Students - only one film or screenplay - multiple submissions are not permitted. Please choose your best work and submit a scanned copy of your student ID or a letter indicating the name of your school, college or university. If you do not include the required information with your submission, it will be rejected.

All films must have all music, image and video clearances completed by the filmmaker(s).

All films should be completed after January 1, 2018.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Patrick Shaver

    West Texas Film Festival stood out to me because of their excellent communication. Not only were they great at keeping me in the loop well in advance, but the hospitality he showed the subjects of my documentary that won Best Short was simply amazing. When you make documentaries, your goal is to shine a spotlight on something that you are passionate about. Not only did they get a spotlight, but the subjects were given the opportunity to speak on awards night and share their mission with the West Texas Film community. Thank you so much to Harlan and WTX Film Fest for including our work and giving us that honor.

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    We were proud to have Honor Chair as part of the 2019 WTX Film Festival.

  • This festival had a great lineup and the staff involved were so communicative. Props to WTFF for keeping film alive in the Basin.

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Alex. Your film was well received.

  • We very appreciate WTF Festival, it's a really good event and we advice other filmmakers & companies to participate to it. cheers !

    December 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Gazanfer! The audience loved GAB!

  • A huge thank you to Harlan and staff for including us in this year's festival. Thank you for supporting indie filmmakers!!

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Pat. your film was well received.

  • Thank you for screening my film "Mr. Zoot Suit" at your festival! A friend of mine attended on my behalf and said he enjoyed the event. Thank you for your fast communication and hospitality! Hope to submit again in the future!

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Chan'Cellore. I hope to meet you at next year's festival. - Harlan