The 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 takes the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously and we are doing our part to host a corona-proof event.
- - -
Check out our festival review in 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞
(the one with Quentin Tarantino on the cover!)
http://bit.ly/2kMuBFJ
- - -
The 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 is back!
July 22-25, 2021
Make us laugh! Make us cry! Make us scream!
If you have a great story, we want it at our festival.
We accept short films (under 40 minutes), music videos, short screenplays, and feature film submissions.
𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮1:
Film Locations Tour - Take a ride with us as we scout the best Waco locations! Check out Central Texas' varied and unique looks, see in person the sites that have made it to the big screen, and afterward fill up on some amazing Texas BBQ (our treat!).
Free for all accepted filmmakers who attend!
Industry-Specific panels - For new and seasoned filmmakers of all stripes, these panels are designed to help improve your craft and business savvy.
Free for all accepted filmmakers who attend!
Music Videos category
Screenplay contest with live scene readings
- - -
- - -
We seek to showcase the best in independent film from Texas, the US, and the world. We share great films in a theatrical venue, inspire filmmakers, create networking opportunities and show our guests genuine Texas hospitality.
We proudly screen at the 𝗪𝗮𝗰𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲, a former vaudeville theater that’s over a century old, but renovated with all modern touches. The Hippodrome is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and has seen Elvis Presley and John Wayne enter its doors. Always a Waco tradition, the Hippodrome has been reborn as a central Texas destination - complete with recent renovations in seating, projection, and the addition of a full kitchen and bar. Plus, we have additional locations around Downtown Waco to accommodate our screenplay readings, filmmaker lounge, and panels.
BONUS! If you’re a fan of the 𝗛𝗚𝗧𝗩 show 𝗙𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿, Chip and Joanna Gaines’ 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 is located just steps away from the Hippodrome. Plus, Waco is the home of the 𝗗𝗿. 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 and 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.
We are easily within driving distance of Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. It’s easy to see why this area is called the Heart of Texas.
Come on down, y’all.
The stars at night are big and bright,
𝘿𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙨!
𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Best Comedy Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Drama Short
Best Family Short
Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Short
Best Horror Short
Best Music Video
𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Best Texas Short
Best US Short
Best Foreign Short
Best Student Short
Best Short Film
𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Best Director - Short
Best Performance, Drama - Short
Best Performance, Comedy - Short
Best Cinematography - Short
Best Editing - Short
Best Screenplay - Short
Audience Award - Short
𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Best Director - Feature
Best Performance - Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Feature Film
Audience Award - Feature
𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩
Outstanding Achievement
Honorable Mention