Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) engages, enriches, and empowers Houston’s diverse cultures and communities by programming and supporting filmmaking and the arts. Our goal is to uplift the importance of film as an accessible device for storytelling and raising awareness; we work to empower regional and underrepresented filmmakers and to showcase Houston’s diversity and cultural riches via community programs that highlight the intersection of film with other art forms and global issues. HCAS is dedicated to fostering a culture of collaboration, conversation, and engaging experiences. 

However, the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and other HCAS events will not tolerate any behavior that is inappropriate, off-topic, disruptive, abusive, or illegal, under any circumstances.

Inappropriate behavior encompasses any actions that violate HCAF policies, including health and safety regulations, any rules set by our venue partners, or any conduct that undermines our commitment to forging community. This includes any form of written, verbal, or physical abuse or threats; illegal or disruptive activities; derogatory or discriminatory language, gestures, or actions; harassment; racism; sexism; language that incites violence; or any other targeted comments that may breach local, state, or federal laws or harm another event participant, whether before, during, or after HCAS events.

HCAS will, at the discretion of Festival leadership, address any individual(s) or group(s) it believes fail to meet the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct, including, without limitation, revoking the violating parties’ passes and tickets without refund.

HCAS expects that all attendees of our events follow the then current public health guidelines related to safety, hygiene and communicable illnesses (including COVID-19).

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to operations@cinemahtx.org if you believe you have observed or experienced a violation of this Code of Conduct. HCAS will assess the situation and respond appropriately, respecting all parties’ rights to privacy.