Mission Statement
Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) celebrates and illuminates the vitality of one of America’s most diverse cities by connecting audiences and artists with public, educational, and career-advancing film and arts programming.
Vision
Houston Cinema Arts Society envisions a future where filmmaking, production, and public programming thrive and grow, in step with the city’s ever evolving fine arts and media sector. In turn, by fostering global filmmakers and promoting local film, television and media production, HCAS helps realize and celebrate our city’s diversity and cultural riches.
Who We Are
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 was conceived in 2007 when former Mayor Bill White created a task force of cultural leaders spearheaded by arts philanthropist Franci Neely to stimulate film culture in Houston. HCAS received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in September 2008 and launched its first large-scale film festival in November 2009. HCAS continues to focus its mission on expanding Houston’s film culture, and making Houston a hub for innovation in film and media.
The Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF), held annually in November, stands as the largest international and independent film festival in Houston. This multi-venue event features a diverse array of programming, including over 50 narrative, documentary, and experimental films. Attendees can also enjoy innovative video and media installations, live multi-media performances, panel discussions, filmmaker workshops, and free student field trip screenings.
HCAF presents several unique programs, such as the CineSpace short film competition, which is a collaboration with NASA and challenges filmmakers to make a short film utilizing footage from the NASA archives. The Houston Short Film Series highlights local talent and showcases short films from the Greater Houston area. Additionally, the Borders | No Borders narrative and documentary short film competition amplifies emerging artists from Texas and the surrounding regions.
Beyond the festival, HCAS is dedicated to engaging with the creative community through various initiatives throughout the year. These include the Houston Media Conference, the Admit One Analog Showcase, the Texas Film Spotlight, Impact Screenings, and quarterly networking events. The festival aims to build meaningful partnerships and provide ongoing opportunities for both filmmakers and film lovers.