CompanyFilm festivals
WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
Long-running international festival.
Festival · Houston, Harris County · Houston & the Upper Coast
Categories
Narrative, Documentary, Animated, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller, Experimental and Family Shorts
Student Short
Vertical Storytelling
Feature (Narrative, Documentary, Animated, First Feature, International, Low Budget, genre)
Television
Commercials, PSAs & Professional Media
Music Video, Web Series & Podcast
Interactive Media
Feature Screenplay
Short Screenplay
Student Short
Vertical Storytelling
Feature (Narrative, Documentary, Animated, First Feature, International, Low Budget, genre)
Television
Commercials, PSAs & Professional Media
Music Video, Web Series & Podcast
Interactive Media
Feature Screenplay
Short Screenplay
Prizes
Remi Awards: jury-scored Special Jury, Platinum, Gold and Silver Remis; ten Grand Remi statuettes each year
Notable
| The 2027 festival (April 30–May 8) is billed as the 60th annual edition; the 59th ran April 24–May 3, 2026 | ↗︎ |
| Festival lists early-career recognition of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, Jane Campion, David Lynch and the Coen brothers | ↗︎ |
| Offers 100 sponsored submission waivers for its International Autistic Filmmakers Showcase, available through January 15, 2027 | ↗︎ |
| Early Bird fees ran $45 (student short) to $115 (interactive media) and rise at each later deadline; FilmFreeway fees run $40.50–$175 across categories and deadlines (incl. member pricing) | ↗︎ |
| Projects must be completed after April 1, 2024; screening slots go mainly to films making their first Houston appearance | ↗︎ |
Sources
- WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival WorldFest-Houston
- Film Submission WorldFest-Houston
- WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival FilmFreeway
- Texas Film Festivals Houston Film Commission
Submissions open
All deadlines| Deadline | Call | |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | MainWorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2027 (60th) · 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 | Apply ↗︎ |
| Dec 15, 2026 | LateWorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2027 (60th) · 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 | Apply ↗︎ |
| Jan 15, 2027 | FinalWorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2027 (60th) · 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 | Apply ↗︎ |
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Listed from Houston Film Commission festival page. Not an endorsement. Image: from worldfest.org.
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