The Texas Film Belt Project is a special competition to promote filmmaking along the Interstate 10 corridor in Texas. The films must be shot within 50 miles of Interstate 10 in Texas. including features, music videos/experimental, documentaries and animation. There is a Film Belt Fringe and a Film Belt Fringe Jr. category added for films shot within 50 miles of Interstate 10, but outside of Texas.

Official selections from the films will be screened in a one-day event in Orange, Texas at the Jeff Hattman Center for the Performing Arts on September 19, 2026.

A two (2)-hour block of short films will be chosen from the official selections in the short narrative category to be screened at various locations along the I-10 corridor. Extra points will be awarded if at least one scene highlights Interstate 10 in some way. The confirmed screening locations for the Texas Film Belt Project "traveling block" are in Lake Charles, LA, Beaumont, TX and Houston TX. Locations are also being sought in other locations on the I-10 corridor, including San Antonio and El Paso. Dates and locations of additional screenings TBD. Possible distribution as an anthology will also be sought, but it not guaranteed.

Awards & Prizes

The top film producers in each category will receive a custom belt buckle (one per film).
The Texas Film Belt Project will also recognize up to five (5) films in a Jr. Division for grades K-12 with each top junior producer to receive a custom belt buckle (one per film).

As noted above, the top short films will be considered for inclusion in the two(2)-hour traveling film block and are eligible for possible inclusion in an anthology for distribution if all requirements are met. Final determination of films included in film block is up to the discretion of organizers. If distribution is obtained for the anthology, the filmmakers included will receive a share of the proceeds, if any. Distribution is not guaranteed.

There is a special $1000 cash prize for the best film that is shot in Orange County, TX. If no film is shot in Orange County, no cash prize will be awarded.

Rules & Terms

OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2nd annual Texas Film Belt Project!
Here are the general eligibility requirements for the 2026 Texas Film Belt Project:

• Films must be shot entirely in Texas within 50 miles of Interstate 10 (the “I-10 Corridor”). (Post-production may be completed anywhere.) The only exceptions are the Fringe categories. They may be shot outside of Texas, but must still be shot within 50 miles of Interstate 10 in the state they are produced.

•Additional points will be awarded if Interstate 10 itself is featured in at least one scene. The highway or frontage road is acceptable. It might even be a shot looking out the window of a business onto the highway. Identifiers are preferred but not required.

• Original projects only. We will not consider remakes, sequels/prequels, or fan fiction.

• Film submissions for the traveling film block must be no longer than thirty (30) minutes, including credits and shot in 16:9 aspect ratio. MP4. Rating requirements are not set, but films that include obscene material as defined in Section 43.21, Penal Code of Texas will be deemed ineligible.

• Due to the POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION of the winning films in the film block as an anthology, ALL FILMS submitted for the film block must be produced as NON-UNION and the filmmaker must have WRITTEN AGREEMENTS with ALL CAST AND CREW together with satisfactory LOCATION, ARTWORK and MUSIC and OTHER CUSTOMARY THIRD-PARTY RELEASES.

The SUBMISSION DEADLINE is 11:59 p.m. CT on JUNE 30, 2026.

The Top Films will be selected by a panel of three judges based on the following criteria:
Writing, Directing, Sound, Production, Acting and how they incorporate I-10 into the storyline.

A selection of films submitted will be screened on September 20, 2025 in Orange, Texas at the Jeff Hartman Center for the Performing Arts. The top films and those that will be included in the traveling film block will be announced at the end of the day in an awards ceremony.

In addition, the panel will award a special cash prize of $1,000 to the best film shot in Orange County, Texas. (Note: If no films are shot in Orange County, Texas, there will be no cash prize.)

The Top Films chosen for the traveling film block will be screened at multiple locations along the I-10 Corridor.

We are also excited to offer an opportunity for junior filmmakers in grades K-12 to compete!

The eligibility requirements for the junior competition are the same as for the general competition except that submissions should be no longer than five (5) minutes, including credits.

The submission deadline for the junior competition is 11:59 p.m. CT on Aug. 31, 2025.
The Top 5 “Junior” Films will be selected by a panel of three judges based on the same criteria as the main competition.

They will be announced on September 20, 2025 in Orange, Texas at the Jeff Hattman Center for the Performing Arts and may be included in the traveling film block in the judges’ sole discretion. There is no cash price for the junior competition.

For both competitions, the panel’s decision is final and may not be appealed.
IMPORTANT: If your film is selected for screening on September 20, 2025, you will be asked to sign an agreement authorizing the organizer to seek further distribution for your film, including potential commercial distribution as part of a Texas Film Belt Anthology.

Therefore, it is imperative that you have all documentation required to prove chain-of-title to your film as well as necessary consents from all cast, crew, and any other elements of the film (e.g., music, artwork). You may also be asked to prepare additional deliverables such as a poster or trailer. Failure to supply the necessary documentation and/or deliverables may result in your film being dropped from the anthology.

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no guarantee of exhibition or commercial distribution of your film by submitting!