Deadlines
Festival and grant deadlines
48 Texas festivals taking submissions and 11 grants and fellowships open to Texas filmmakers, soonest first.
Next up: 2027 Arts Grant Program, Nov 13, 2026
On your calendar
Festival submissions
48 festivals| Next deadline | Festival | City | Festival dates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2027 (60th)Main deadline · shorts and features across genres (animation, comedy, doc, experimental, family, horror, sci-fi, thriller), student shorts, vertical storytelling; separate autistic filmmakers showcase · Fees $45–$175, rising at each deadline · Then Dec 15, Jan 15 | Houston | Apr 30 – May 8, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| Thin Line Fest 2027Regular deadline · feature and short documentaries of all kinds, music videos · Fees $2.50–$70 · Then Dec 15, Jan 15 | Denton | Mar 10–14, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Waco Independent Film Festival 2027 (Year 11)Regular deadline · features, shorts, student shorts, music videos, short and feature scripts (short scripts also compete for a Waco production grant) · Fees about $25–$100 depending on category and deadline · Then Jan 10, Mar 7 | Waco | Jul 15–18, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin Spotlight Film Festival 2027Fall deadline · shorts in many genres, student and micro shorts, music videos, trailers, features, screenplays · Fees $15–$80 · Then Dec 17, Jan 21, Feb 25 and later | Austin | Sep 25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin Under the Stars Film Festival 2027Fall deadline · shorts in many genres, student and micro shorts, music videos, web series and pilots, features · Fees $25–$90 · Then Jan 7, Feb 11, Mar 18 and later | Austin | Sep 17–18, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 2027Early Bird deadline · Narrative and documentary features and shorts, music videos, Hecho en Tejas, Emergente youth films · Fees $35–$80 · Then Dec 20, Jan 31, Jan 31 | Austin | May 20, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Houston Latino Film Festival 2027 (11th)Late deadline · features, shorts, student films and Houston-made films with Latino creatives or Latine themes; generative-AI work not accepted · Fees free–$60 | Houston | Mar 10–14, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| ATX TV Festival Pitch Competition (Season 16)Regular deadline · 90-second video pitch plus first 10 pages of an original scripted series, for writers not yet paid to write TV; entry cap may close it early · Fees $65 regular, $85 late · Then Dec 14 | Austin | Jun 3–6, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Dead Weird Film Fest 2027November deadline · underground shorts: horror, sci-fi, comedy, experimental, animation, music videos, docs, Made in Texas · Fees $18–$45 · Then Dec 31 | Austin | Feb 27–28, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| HAAPIFEST 2027 (Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival)Regular deadline · AAPI narrative and documentary shorts and features · Fees $10–$30 · Then Jan 5 | Houston | Jun 4–20, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| West Texas Film Fest 2027Earlybird deadline · shorts 20 minutes or less: youth, animation/VFX, doc, sci-fi, drama, action, comedy, horror and an anything-goes category · Fees $20–$40 · Then Mar 31, Apr 30 | San Angelo | Jul 9–10, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Prison City Film Festival 2027Final deadline · US and international narrative features, shorts and super-shorts, documentary features and shorts, web series episodes, music videos, trailers · Fees $10–$50 | Huntsville | Feb 24–27, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Deaf Film Festival 2027Earlybird deadline · animation, narrative and documentary shorts and features, screenplays, student films · Fees $5–$20 · Then Feb 28, Apr 30 | Austin | Oct 1–3, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| 42nd KidFilm Family FestivalLate deadline · family-friendly features and shorts · Fees $15–$30 | Dallas | Jan 16–17, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Third Coast Action Fest 2027Regular deadline · action features and shorts, Made in Texas, and stunt categories (fire, vehicle, fight, high fall, gunfight, western, specialty) · Fees $20–$65 · Then Jan 1, Feb 1 | Dallas | May 16, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin International Film Festival 2027Winter deadline · narrative and documentary features and shorts, international and Texas categories · Fees $22–$85 · Then Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1 | Austin | Apr 17, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| The Comedy Film Festival 2027Regular deadline · comedy features, shorts, student shorts, pilots and web series, sketch, stand-up specials, comedy scripts · Fees $9–$49 · Then Dec 31, Jan 31, Mar 5 | Austin | May 14–16, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin Action Fest & Market 2027Earlybird deadline · action and stunt shorts and features, fight scenes, reels and trailers, animation, scripts, pitch competition · Fees $5–$120 depending on category and deadline · Then Apr 4, Jun 2 | Austin | Aug 20–22, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Boomtown Film and Music Festival 2027Late deadline · narrative features and shorts, docs, experimental and music videos, student, animation, Texas Proud category, screenplays · Fees $15–$45 | Beaumont | Feb 18–21, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Abilene Frontier Film Festival 2027Earlybird deadline · narrative and documentary features and shorts, animated shorts, student films, Big Country and Texas film categories; opens 2026-11-01 · Fees $10–$75 · Then Feb 1, Apr 1, Jun 1 and later | Abilene | Oct 1–2, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| 57th USA Film FestivalRegular deadline · US and international features and shorts (narrative, nonfiction, animation, experimental); must be a Dallas-area premiere · Fees $40–$80 · Then Jan 1, Feb 1 | Dallas | Apr 21–25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| Austin Dance Festival presents Dance on Film 2027Standard deadline · dance films · Fees $50 | Austin | Feb 25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin Lift-Off Film Festival (Season 18)Regular deadline · narrative and documentary shorts and features, scripts, web series and pilots · Fees $18–$149 · Then Jan 4, Feb 3, Mar 3 | Austin | Apr 1–30, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival 2027Submission deadline · environmental shorts about the Houston region (doc, narrative, animation), plus a student category for ages 14–22 | Houston | Feb 20, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| Austin Revolution Film Festival 2027 (15th)Late deadline · features, shorts, series, music videos, student films, podcasts, screenplays and TV scripts · Fees $20–$230 · Then Jan 2 | Austin | Jan 28–30, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| 19th Indian Film Festival of HoustonSubmission deadline · films from or about India made in 2025 or later, not previously shown publicly in Houston · Fees $35 shorts and docs under 40 min; $50 features | Houston | Feb 19–20, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| ATX TV Festival Indie TV Pilot Competition (Season 16)Regular deadline · finished indie TV pilots 20–65 minutes, scripted or unscripted · Fees $65 regular, $85 late · Then Feb 12 | Austin | Jun 3–6, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| ATX Short Film Showcase (Season Six)Early Bird Spring deadline · shorts for a monthly Austin screening series; narrative mostly, docs, music videos and web episodes considered · Fees $24–$38 · Then Jan 31, Feb 28, Apr 3 and later | Austin | May 10, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Grapevine International Film Festival & Dream Reel Awards 2027Regular deadline · narrative, documentary, animation, comedy, horror, experimental and AI shorts, features, music videos, screenplays · Fees $10–$55 · Then Jan 28, Feb 28, Mar 28 and later | Grapevine | Oct 30, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Austin Shortsfest 20272026 deadline · shorts under 30 minutes in most genres, music videos, a Made in Texas category · Fees $17–$48 · Then Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 31 and later | Austin | Aug 13–15, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| Indie Meme Film Festival 2027Regular deadline · South Asian and diaspora narrative and documentary features and shorts · Fees $10–$35 · Then Jan 31 | Austin | Apr 21–25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | |
| Austin Comedy Film Festival 2027End of Year deadline · comedy shorts and series episodes (dark, horror, rom-com, mockumentary, sketch, stand-up, animation), comedy scripts · Fees $32.50–$65 · Then Jan 31, Mar 31, May 31 and later | Austin | Sep 25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Animalis Fabula Film Festival 2027December deadline · animal-centered features and shorts in any genre; opens 2026-12-01, later monthly deadlines run to Sep 20, 2027 · Fees $20–$95 · Then Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 31 and later | San Antonio | Nov 27–28, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Texas Documentary Film Festival 2027Discount deadline · documentary features, shorts, micro docs, series episodes, animated and AI-made docs · Fees $27.50–$100 · Then Jan 31, Feb 28, Apr 30 and later | Austin | Nov 6, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| OK2BX Film Festival for High School Filmmakers 2027Early Bird deadline · films by high school students, with awards in areas like animation, smartphone, LGBTQIA+, kindness and inclusivity · Fees $2–$12 · Then Feb 2, Mar 2 | Dallas | Apr 10, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| The San Antonio Horror Film Festival 2027Regular deadline · horror features and shorts · Fees $25–$60 · Then Feb 15 | San Antonio | Mar 28, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Wild Texas Film Festival 2027Earlybird deadline · wildlife, wild places, conservation and people-and-nature films, features, young filmmakers; opens 2026-11-01 · Fees free–$20 · Then Apr 1, Apr 30 | Goldthwaite | May 15–16, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Fiesta SATX Film & Music Festival 2027Regular deadline · shorts and features across many genres (action, animation, children's, doc, drama, fantasy, horror and more) · Fees $10–$55 · Then Mar 1 | San Antonio | Apr 16–18, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival 2027Regular deadline · features, shorts, college and high school films, made-in-San-Antonio films, screenplays and short scripts, music videos, food films, children's films, web series · Fees $25–$99 · Then Feb 26, Apr 30 | San Antonio | Jul 20–25, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Dallas International Film Festival 2027Regular deadline · narrative, documentary, Texas, Latino and international features; Texas, narrative, doc, animated, Latino, sports and student shorts; music videos; North Texas high school showcase · Fees $35–$125 · Then Feb 5, Feb 17 | Dallas | Apr 22–29, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Houston Filmmaker Showcase (Houston Cinema Arts Society)Q1 deadline · short films and student films for HCAS's recurring local showcase · Fees free · Then Mar 30, May 25, Sep 28 | Houston | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Emergente Youth International Film Festival 2027Youth Films deadline · Films, videos and music videos by youth filmmakers 19 and under · Fees Free | Austin | May 22, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| OutLoud International Film Festival 2027Priority deadline · open category for emerging filmmakers; opens 2026-11-15 · Fees free · Then Mar 15, Apr 15 | Dallas | Jul 29–31, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| UNT Media Arts Festival 2027Deadline deadline · student shorts, docs, experimental work, screenwriting, audio, promos, news and sports broadcasting, high school entries · Fees free · Then Mar 19 | Denton | Apr 23–24, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Triumph International Film Festival 2027Earlybird deadline · US and international narrative, documentary and animated features and shorts, music videos · Fees $30–$75 · Then Apr 30, Jun 30, Jul 31 | Bedford | Sep 5–6, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Jewish Film Festival of Dallas – Emerging Filmmaker PrizeApplication cycle closes deadline · cash prize for an up-and-coming filmmaker whose film has Jewish content or themes; application window Oct 1, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027 | Dallas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Tyler Film Festival 2027 (15th)Earlybird deadline · short films and student short films · Fees $15–$25 · Then May 1 | Tyler | Sep 17–18, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | |
| Black Auteur Film Festival 2027Earlybird deadline · narrative, documentary and animated shorts and music videos by Black Texas filmmakers; opens 2026-11-02 · Fees $5–$20 · Then Jun 1, Jul 1 | Austin | Aug 27–29, 2027 | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google |
Grants, fellowships and labs
11 programs| Deadline | Program | Open to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Arts Grant ProgramCity of Corpus Christi, Arts & Cultural Commission · matching grants up to $15,000 · Texas only · Arts organizations whose events show cultural value and draw visitors to Corpus Christi; online applications only, due 5 p.m. | Texas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Puffin Foundation grants, 2027 cycle (film/video)The Puffin Foundation · Film/video and theater projects; request portal access by Nov 20 (mailed request form postmarked by Nov 25), then full proposal due Dec 16, 2026 | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Space Taking Artist Residency 2027Fresh Arts (Houston) · $3,600 project stipend plus six weeks of gallery space and mentorship · Texas only · Emerging and mid-career artists of any discipline, media arts included, living within 50 miles of Houston; not current art-degree students; residencies spring or summer 2027 | Texas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant for Student FilmmakersFrom the Heart Productions · $3,000 cash plus $10,000+ in services and discounts · Student filmmakers, live action or animation; due 11:59 p.m. PT, finalists named March 2027 | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | ||
| 2027 Episodic Alfred P. Sloan GrantSundance Institute Episodic Program · $17,000 plus creative support · A writer or two-person team with an original half-hour or hour series centered on science, technology, medicine or a scientific figure or event | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Documentary Story Lab 2027Film Independent · Documentary filmmakers; non-member deadline Dec 14, 2026, members get until Jan 4, 2027 | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Arts Respond Project grant (projects Apr 1–Aug 31, 2027)Texas Commission on the Arts · Texas only · Texas nonprofit arts groups and government entities, not individuals; a filmmaker would apply through an eligible organization | Texas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | ||
| AT&T Untold StoriesTribeca Festival with AT&T · $1.2 million production prize for one film; four finalists get $15,000 development grants · Scripted fiction features only, with a finished script, director and producer attached, makeable for $1.2M; finalists pitch live at Tribeca in June 2027 | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| ArtsActivate 2027, Round 3City of Dallas, Office of Arts & Culture · individual artists and collectives up to $8,000 per project; nonprofits $12,000–$16,000 depending on budget · Texas only · Individual artists who live in Dallas or keep a paid studio there, collectives and Dallas nonprofits; Round 3 projects can start June 18, 2027 | Texas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google | ||
| Made Deep in the Heart Screenplay GrantWaco Independent Film Festival (Heart of Texas Film Society) · up to $2,500 in Waco-area spending rebates, up to 4 hotel nights and a camera and lighting package · Texas only · Original short scripts (30 pages max) entered in Waco Indie's short screenplay contest; winner must shoot at least half the film in McLennan County within 18 months | Texas | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google Source ↗︎ | ||
| 2028 Development Track (Screenwriters Lab, Screenwriters Intensive, Sloan Fellowship)Sundance Institute Feature Film Program · Screenwriters and writer-directors developing a first or second fiction feature; usually needs a complete draft | National | Apply ↗︎ Add to Google |
Dates from each organizer’s own site or its official submission page, checked by hand. Deadlines move: confirm on the organizer’s page before you pay a fee.