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CEN-TEX FILM FEST (1)

CEN-TEX FILM FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE

Deadlines

20 Feb 2026
Call for entries

01 Jun 2026
Early deadline

15 Jul 2026
Standard deadline

15 Aug 2026
Late deadline

05 Sep 2026
Extended deadline

4
mths

05 Sep 2026
Notification date

03 Oct 2026
03 Oct 2026

Address

2809 Oakmark Dr, 76513, BELTON, Texas, United States

Festival description

Short film festival 59'<

Feature film festival >61' 180'<

Text projects

Festival requirements

Film festival

Fiction

Documentary

Animation

Fantastic

Terror

Experimental

Music Video

Other

Any Genre

Any Theme

Has submission fees

International Festival

Online and Physical Location

January 2023

Production countries: Any

Shooting countries: Any

Director nationalities: Any

Debut Films

School projects

Short Films 59'<

Feature Films >61' 180'<

AI Tools

Any language

Share on Social Networks

Facebook
Tweet

English

Festival description (Edition: 1)

Festival start: 03 October 2026 Festival end: 03 October 2026

The Cen-Tex Film Festival is a fully in person and online experience — designed to maximize access, education, and filmmaker growth without geographic barriers. As a sister festival to the Austin Action Fest & Market, it shares many of it's qualities but with a wider range of acceptable subject matter and a more diverse educational focus.

Inspired by the pioneer energy of Texas, Cen-Tex combines curated film programming with practical training sessions for creators at every level. This is not just a streaming showcase. It is a filmmaker development event.

We welcome films of all genres and all voices. While we celebrate bold, genre-forward storytelling — action, horror, thriller, sci-fi, western — powerful filmmaking always comes first. If your project is good, submit!

If your film connects, it belongs here.

At Cen-Tex, the training experience is built around real working professionals from across the filmmaking spectrum. Throughout the event, you’ll hear from independent filmmakers, directors, acting coaches, camera operators, stunt professionals, and other industry voices who bring practical insight from active sets and real-world production.

Sessions are designed to be approachable, encouraging, and grounded in experience — whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft. In addition, sales agents and distributors will be viewing selected films during and after the festival, creating meaningful visibility for projects beyond the screening window. Cen-Tex is about connection, growth, and opening doors.

Prizes and qualifications

Short Film 1 - 10
Short Film 10 - 20
Short Film 20 - 59
Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
AI-Generated Film
TV Pilot
Feature Script
Short Script - Under 60 pages
Audio Only Narrative Project
Best Digital Pitch
Best First-Time Filmmaker/Student Filmmaker
Best Experimental / Art Film
Best Veteran Filmmaker / Military Story

Rules

1. General Eligibility

The Cen-Tex Film Festival is open to filmmakers worldwide.

All genres are accepted.

Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023.

Films may have screened at other festivals.

Films that are publicly available online (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) are eligible but may be considered lower priority.

2. Categories

Films may qualify for multiple award categories but must select the primary category during submission.

3. Submission Guidelines

Screeners must be accessible via secure online link.

Rough cuts and works-in-progress are accepted, but final versions must be delivered before the festival screening window.

Non-English films must include English subtitles.

Submission fees are non-refundable.

4. Selection Process

All films are reviewed by the programming team.

Official Selections will be notified via Festhome.

Programming decisions are final.

Cen-Tex does not provide screening feedback.

5. Online Screening Format

Selected films agree to:

Provide a high-quality digital screening file.

Grant the festival non-exclusive streaming rights for the official festival window only.

Participate in optional live or recorded virtual Q&A sessions.

Films will only be available during the official online festival dates and will not remain hosted after the event concludes.

6. Rights & Permissions

By submitting, the filmmaker confirms:

They hold all necessary rights for music, images, performances, and content.

The festival may use trailers, stills, and brief clips (under 60 seconds) for promotional purposes.

The festival is not responsible for copyright violations.

7. Awards

Awards may include:

Best Feature

Best Short

Best Texas Film

Best Genre Film

Best Student Film

Audience Award

Award decisions are final.

8. Nonprofit Status

Cen-Tex Film Festival will operate as a nonprofit organization dedicated to filmmaker education and community development. Submission fees support operational costs, programming, and educational initiatives.

9. Liability

Cen-Tex Film Festival is not responsible for:

Technical streaming interruptions beyond reasonable control

Unauthorized duplication by third parties

Incorrect information provided by submitters

10. Agreement

By submitting to Cen-Tex Film Festival, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to all Rules & Terms outlined above.

Shorts 1 - 10 Minutes

Short Films 10'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 35$ 32.2$ 23.45$ 15 Jul 26

Late 45$ 41.4$ 30.15$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 55$ 50.6$ 36.85$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
8.25$

Submit

Short. Sharp. Unforgettable. The 1–10 Minute Short Film category celebrates tightly crafted stories that make a strong impact in a compact runtime. We’re looking for films that move with purpose — clear vision, confident execution, and storytelling that lands without wasting a frame. All genres are welcome. Whether dramatic, comedic, experimental, or genre-driven, if your short delivers a complete and compelling experience in under ten minutes, this is where it belongs. Make it count.

Feature Film

Feature Films >60' 180'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 55$ 50.6$ 36.85$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 60$ 55.2$ 40.2$ 15 Jul 26

Late 70$ 64.4$ 46.9$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 80$ 73.6$ 53.6$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
18.15$

Submit

Go big. Tell the full story. The Feature Film category celebrates long-form storytelling with the scope, depth, and ambition to carry an audience from beginning to end. We welcome narrative features of all genres — from grounded dramas to bold, genre-driven work — that demonstrate strong vision, confident execution, and sustained engagement. We’re looking for films that commit to their world, develop compelling characters, and deliver a complete cinematic experience. If your story was built for the long haul, this is its stage.

Short Scripts

Script / Pitch 59p<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 40$ 36.8$ 26.8$ 15 Jul 26

Late 50$ 46$ 33.5$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 60$ 55.2$ 40.2$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
9.9$

Submit

The Short Script category highlights tightly crafted screenplays that deliver strong characters, sharp dialogue, and powerful storytelling in a compact format. We’re looking for scripts that move quickly, land confidently, and feel ready for production.

Feature Scripts

Script / Pitch >60p

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 55$ 50.6$ 36.85$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 65$ 59.8$ 43.55$ 15 Jul 26

Late 75$ 69$ 50.25$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 80$ 73.6$ 53.6$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
18.15$

Submit

The Feature Script category celebrates bold, compelling screenplays across all genres. We’re looking for strong structure, memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and stories that demand to be produced. Whether your script is an intimate indie drama or a high-concept genre piece, if it’s ready to be taken seriously, we want to read it.

Shorts 11 - 20 Minutes

Short Films >11' 20'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 35$ 32.2$ 23.45$ 15 Jul 26

Late 45$ 41.4$ 30.15$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 55$ 50.6$ 36.85$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
8.25$

Submit

Room to breathe. Built to resonate. The 10–20 Minute Short Film category recognizes longer-form shorts that take the time to build character, deepen tension, and deliver a fully realized story. We’re looking for confident storytelling, strong pacing, and films that justify every minute on screen. All genres are welcome. Whether intimate drama, elevated genre, documentary-style narrative, or bold experimental work, this category is for filmmakers ready to expand beyond micro-shorts while maintaining focus and impact. Tell the story that needs more than ten minutes — and make it unforgettable. If your short is built to grab attention and leave a lasting impression, this is where it belongs.

Shorts 21 - 59

Short Films >21' 59'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 35$ 32.2$ 23.45$ 01 Jun 26

Standard 40$ 36.8$ 26.8$ 15 Jul 26

Late 50$ 46$ 33.5$ 15 Aug 26

Extended 60$ 55.2$ 40.2$ 05 Sep 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
05 Sep 26

Save up
11.55$

Submit

Not quite a short. Not yet a feature. The 20–59 Minute category is dedicated to films that live in the space between — projects with the scope to develop layered characters and sustained tension while maintaining the precision of shorter-form storytelling. We’re looking for strong narrative control, purposeful pacing, and films that fully justify their runtime. All genres are welcome, from character-driven dramas to bold genre pieces and inventive documentaries. If your story needs more room to unfold — but still demands momentum — this is where it belongs.

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