Behind the Pine Curtain Film Festival 2026 is the premier film festival in Lufkin, Texas, celebrating the creativity, vision, and storytelling talents of independent filmmakers and student artists from across the United States and its territories.

Held in the heart of East Texas, all festival screenings will take place at the historic The Pines Theater. With its iconic Art Deco architecture and rich cinematic heritage, The Pines Theater serves as the perfect venue to honor both the history and future of filmmaking. Located in beautiful downtown Lufkin, the theater stands as a centerpiece of a thriving creative community where artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers continue to flourish.

The festival showcases carefully curated film blocks featuring Narrative, Documentary, and Anime films in both Independent and Student divisions. Our mission is to provide a platform for emerging voices, celebrate artistic excellence, and inspire meaningful connections through the power of visual storytelling.

A total of six scholarship awards will be presented, one for each category. Scholarship funds may be used for educational opportunities, filmmaking projects, equipment, software, training programs, or other creative endeavors that support the recipient's continued growth as a filmmaker or artist.

All award recipients will receive official festival recognition during the Awards Ceremony.
Our custom festival trophies are inspired by the rustic beauty and rich heritage of the East Texas Piney Woods, symbolizing the strength, resilience, creativity, and storytelling traditions that define our region.

Our Purpose

The Behind the Pine Curtain Film Festival exists to celebrate creative excellence, support emerging talent, and provide meaningful recognition for filmmakers and animators. By honoring outstanding work across Narrative, Documentary, and Anime categories for both independent and student creators, the festival seeks to foster artistic growth, encourage innovation, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Every film submitted represents imagination, dedication, and the courage to share a story. Whether produced by an experienced independent filmmaker, a first-time student creator, or an animator bringing new worlds to life, each entry contributes to the vibrant spirit of storytelling that unites us all.

We invite you to step Behind the Pine Curtain, share your vision, and become part of East Texas film history.

Awards & Prizes

The Film Festival is dedicated to recognizing excellence in storytelling, creativity, artistic vision, and technical achievement. Through awards, scholarships, and audience recognition, the festival seeks to encourage filmmakers and animators of all experience levels while celebrating the power of film to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Awards will be presented in each of the festival's six competitive categories:

Narrative
Narrative Student
Documentary
Documentary Student
Animation
Animation Student

Category Awards

The following awards will be presented within each category:

First Place

Awarded to the film that demonstrates exceptional achievement in storytelling, creativity, technical execution, and overall artistic impact.

Second Place

Awarded to a film that exhibits outstanding quality, originality, and craftsmanship.

Third Place

Awarded to a film that demonstrates strong artistic merit and effective storytelling.

Audience Choice Award

Awarded to the film receiving the highest audience vote within its category. This award recognizes a filmmaker's ability to connect with and engage viewers.

Scholarship Awards

To support and encourage continued artistic growth, each First Place winner will receive:

$500 Scholarship Award

One scholarship will be awarded in each of the six categories, resulting in a total of six scholarships being presented during the festival.

Scholarship funds may be used to support educational opportunities, filmmaking projects, creative development, equipment purchases, software, training programs, or other endeavors that further the recipient's growth as a filmmaker or artist.

Recognition

Award recipients will be recognized during the Festival Awards Ceremony and will receive official festival honors.

First Place Winners

First Place Award
Official Festival Laurels
Award Certificate
$500 Scholarship

Second Place Winners

Second Place Award
Official Festival Laurels
Award Certificate

Third Place Winners

Third Place Award
Official Festival Laurels
Award Certificate

Audience Choice Winners

Audience Choice Award
Official Festival Laurels
Award Certificate

Purpose of the Awards Program

The purpose of the Awards Program is to celebrate creative excellence, support emerging talent, and provide meaningful recognition for filmmakers and animators. By honoring outstanding work across Narrative, Documentary, and Animation categories for both independent and student creators, the festival seeks to foster artistic growth, encourage innovation, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Every film submitted represents imagination, dedication, and the courage to share a story. The Film Festival is proud to recognize those achievements through its awards, scholarships, and audience honors.

Filmmakers must be present to place.

Rules & Terms

No waivers are granted.
Films should not exceed 10 minutes in length.
-All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
-Films created prior to 2023 are not eligible.
-Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Submission fees are non-refundable.
-By submitting you certify that your film is an original work to which you have full rights to all aspects, including the use of the music. Your film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.
-Entrants must maintain open and timely communication with festival organizers. Failure to respond to inquiries or furnish necessary information may result in disqualification.
-By submitting your film you acknowledge and agree that you have read, understood, and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, rules, terms, and conditions.
-To the best of your knowledge, all of the statements in your submission are true.
-You give permission for Behind the Pine Curtain Film Festival to use stills, titles, copy, video clips, and/or information from the short for promotional purposes.
-You hold Behind the Pine Curtain Film Festival, its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from your entry.