Houston Cinema Arts Festival

Overview

The Houston Cinema Arts Festival is Houston's most important film festival. Founded in 2009 and held annually in November, the festival celebrates the intersection of cinema and the visual arts in one of America's most diverse and culturally ambitious cities.

Houston's identity as the most ethnically diverse large city in the United States -- with large Latino, African American, Asian American, and international immigrant communities -- gives the festival an extraordinary cultural depth. The city's world-class museum district, its thriving visual arts scene (the Menil Collection, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston are all major institutions), and its immigrant communities create an audience for film that is simultaneously local and globally minded.

The festival's arts focus distinguishes it from more conventional film festivals, partnering with Houston's museums and galleries to present film in dialogue with visual art.

Key Sections

• Feature Film Program -- independent American and international features
• Arts and Cinema -- films in dialogue with visual art and music
• Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
• Houston Film Showcase -- films by Houston and Texas filmmakers
• International Program -- films reflecting Houston's diverse communities

What Filmmakers Should Know

The festival accepts open submissions. For Texas filmmakers, the festival provides a major Houston platform alongside the Austin film circuit. Films addressing multicultural American experience will find exceptionally receptive audiences in one of America's most diverse cities.

Major Awards

• Best Film -- jury prize
• Best Texas Film
• Audience Award

Festival History

Houston Cinema Arts Festival was founded in 2009 and has operated as Houston's primary film cultural event.

See Also

For Texas festivals, see Film Festival Strategy. For the Austin Film Festival, see Austin Film Festival.