WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival

Early Deadline: Aug 31, 2026
Regular Deadline: Nov 15, 2026
Late Deadline: Dec 15, 2026
Online Extended Deadline: Jan 15, 2027

Celebrating 60 Years of Discovering Independent Filmmakers

Welcome to the 60th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival!

Founded in 1961, WorldFest-Houston is the oldest independent film festival in the world and one of the longest-running celebrations of independent cinema anywhere. For more than six decades, we have championed emerging filmmakers, original voices, and bold storytelling from around the globe.

WHERE LEGENDS BEGIN.

For more than six decades, WorldFest has served as a launchpad for emerging filmmakers while remaining fiercely committed to independent storytelling, artistic discovery, and meaningful filmmaker experiences.

Unlike festivals centered on major studio productions, WorldFest was built to discover and support independent artists. Early in their careers, WorldFest recognized filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, Jane Campion, David Lynch, the Coen Brothers, Lesli Linka Glatter, Deepa Mehta, Agnieszka Holland, John Lee Hancock, Randal Kleiser, David Winning, and many more.

Our films are reviewed by a diverse jury of filmmakers, educators, critics, festival alumni, and industry professionals from around the world.

Located in Houston, America's fourth-largest city and one of the most diverse metropolitan regions in the world, WorldFest-Houston embraces authentic international voices and creates opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange between filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals.

Most importantly, selected films screen in professional theatrical venues on large cinema screens, not hotel ballrooms, conference rooms, or makeshift screening spaces. Films are presented the way they were meant to be experienced.

For more information, visit https://filmfreeway.com/worldfest.

Call for entry posted July 06, 2026