2021 Houston Cinema Arts Festival

HCAF 2021 will feature over 40 films, shorts programs, DJ sets, live performances, and more. This year’s theme, The Third Coast, will provide a lens through which to celebrate and explore the Gulf Coast region. A term coined in Houston, the Third Coast represents the city’s dynamic culture, film, music, performance, the arts, and much more. HCAF 2021 will also see the return of both CineSpace, our annual short film competition with NASA, and the return of our new Borders | No Borders regional short film competition. Come see the festival that MovieMaker Magazine called “One of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festival in the World.”

PASSES

Passes to the 2021 Houston Cinema Arts Festival are now on sale! The hybrid festival will have virtual and in-person programs November 11th through 22nd, 2021. The lineup will be announced mid-October so stay tuned for more information.

Houston Cinema Arts Festival was named one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world by MovieMaker magazine, making the list alongside Blackstar Film Festival, CPH:DOX, Oak Cliff Film Festival, Morelia Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and more. The list was selected by panelists across film practices, including Filmmaker Natalia Almada, Executive Producer of the Sundance Film Festival Gina Duncan, Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, Writer/Director Anja Marquardt, Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, Documentarian Jiayan “Jenny” Shi, and Director Tyler Taormina.

We’re incredibly excited and honored to be recognized, alongside such great company. It’s a privilege to represent Houston on a considerably global list like this. There’s now more reason than ever to mark your calendars for the 13th annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival, happening virtually and in-person, this November 11th through 22nd!

Houston Cinema Arts Festival

November 11 – 22, 2021

The 13th Annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival will take place from November 11th through 22nd virtually and in person across Houston. The Festival will feature over 30 films, Q&A’s, performances, and workshops.

CINESPACE

CineSpace, the Houston-based short film competition, is a collaboration between NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society that offers filmmakers around the world a chance to share their work inspired by, and using, actual NASA imagery. All finalists are screened at the annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival in November, where the winners will be announced.

2021 Sundance Film Festival

Curated Selections from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival

Thank you to everyone who came out or our #Sundance Satellite screenings, virtually and in-person! Screenings were presented by Houston Cinema Arts Society and the Sundance Institute with Acura, SundanceTV, Chase Sapphire, and Adobe

With the support of HAA, NEA, TX Commission for the Arts, Brown Foundation, Kinder Foundation, MoonStruck, DeLuxe Theater, Black Public Media, and Independent Media Arts Foundation.

Get Involved

membership

We are happy to offer annual memberships that include discounts to festival passes, exclusive access at special events, and more!

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sponsorship

Houston Cinema Arts Society is always eager to form new partnerships and work with organizations that share interest in the arts community. We offer a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities for both for-profit and non-profits.

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