Something exceptionnal in the world of festivals happened in Houston Texas where Hunter Todd wrapped his 50th edition of the festival. He is by far the longest running festival Director in the World. (Worth a guiness book entry as well as a few toats of champagne, which we all had with him)

50 years celebrating the best in indie filmmaking descovering screen legends and icon directors such as Lucas Spielberg, Ang Lee and many others. He received vibrant homages and applause and family emotions when his daughter hande him a trophy and the Omega 'MoonWatch' Speedmaster 50th Anniversary Limited Series watch.

Roger Corman could not make it but sent him this very nice video which deeply touched Hunter.

Commodore Todd

Bruno Chatelin in good company!

• BEST FEATURE FILM
  "RESET"
  Jackie Chan, Executive Producer
  Beijing, China
•  
• BEST SHORT FILM
  "MIGHT"
  Emil Sallinen, Writer/Director
  Helsinki, Finland
•  
• BEST TV/CABLE/WEB COMMERCIAL
  "THE OSTRICH - SAMSUNG"
  Leo Burnett, Chicago Agency
  Matthijis Van Heijningen, Director
  MJZ - LA, Production Company
  Chicago, Illinois
•  
• BEST MUSIC VIDEO
  "UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT - OK GO"
  Directed by Damian Kulash, JR. & Trish Sie
  USA/Russia
• BEST STUDENT FILM
  "ONE EIGHTIETH OF ZHANG TIANYI"
  Shuhan Fan, Cinematographer/Director
  Beijing, China
•  
• BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
  "DATAMINE"
  Tim Tracey, Producer/Writer/Director
  Nova Scotia, Canada
•  
• BEST NEW MEDIA/WEB PRODUCTION
  "CHRONICLES OF COURAGE: STORIES OF WARTIME AND INNOVATION"
  Vulcan Productions & NBC Learn
  Seattle, WA
•  
• BEST TV/CABLE/WEB PRODUCTION
  "LOST HUMANS"
  Korean Educational Broadcasting System
  Seoul, South Korea

The 51st WorldFest ~ EarlyBird Deadline!

Entered Online or Postmarked by Wednesday, November 15th!

We are always delighted to remember our wonderful "discoveries" over the past 50 years of  remarkable WorldFest Winners! WorldFest-Houston is an International celebration of new Premiere Feature and Short Films with their Directors attending! 

WorldFest discovered with their very first award ~ Stephen Spielberg (Amblin'), George Lucas (THX1138), Ang Lee (Pushing Hands), Ridley Scott (The 1984 Apple TVC), the Coen Brothers (Blood Simple), Oliver Stone (Salvador), David Lynch (The Grandmother), Randal Kleiser (Peege), John Lee Hancock (Vaya Con Dios), and literally hundreds more! You could be the next Spielberg or Ang Lee! Enter today!

The Discount EarlyBird Entry Deadline - Wednesday, November 15th, 2017! Just enter Online via our website or via filmFreeway.com! Or Postmarked by the 15th~ But No Worries -  The Main Entry Deadline is December 15th, 2017 and the Final BrickWall Deadline is January 15th, 2018.  For  entry into the only International film festival with 10 major competition Categories ~ the 51st WorldFest-Houston, simply visit  https://worldfest.org

It is quick and easy to enter the 51st WorldFest, via our website, or FilmFreeway.com - We are now accepting Online Vimeo Screeners in addition to Jump Drives and DVD/BR Entries. We will send you a confirmation when we receive your entry and a personal email with the jury results! We judge your entries on big LG Digital Screens, not little Laptops! We screen Remi Award Winning Short, Feature, Student, Experimental and Music Video entries on big Theater screens! Not in little hotel meeting rooms! Go for  your chance at the Remi Award - at the 51st Annual WorldFest-Houston! The festival will be Celebrated April 20-29, 2018, Ten Great Days in April, with more than 1,000 International Filmmakers attending! The 13th Annual Panorama Italia, and a major 4th Annual Panorama China of new films and filmmakers from China, 9 Master Classes in Film Production, a nightly Festival Club for Networking, a VIP Tour of NASA, a Consular Sailing Regatta at the classic Houston Yacht Club on beautiful Galveston Bay with Longhorn Steers and Texas BBQ, and the Remi Awards Gala at the WorldFest HQ Hotel!

All of us at Team WorldFest wish you...

A truly Bountiful Thanksgiving! We wish you wonderful moments with your family, friends and co-workers in this delightful holiday season of giving and warmth!

All of us at Team WorldFest - Hunter, Kathleen, Kelly, Adrienn, Chandni, Elease, Ray, Dan, Tom, George, Paul, Wayne and Katy Lea hope that your Thanksgiving 2017 is the very best. We will be roasting our traditional Capon with Virginia Honey-Nut Dressing, Artichokes, Sweet Potato Souffle, Goobers & Onions, Colonial Egg Nog from a Todd Family secret recipe - with Bourbon, Dark Rum & Cognac, Smithfield Ham Biscuits, Champagne, Some fine Texas Red & White Wines, and home made Pecan Pie with Bourbon Hard Sauce!

Yes, we will Gobble until we Wobble!

WorldFest is really TEN festivals in one because we believe in the synergy of the many facets of filmmaking. WorldFest offers competition in Short Subjects, Theatrical Features, Film & Video Productions, TV Commercials, Television & Cable & Web Productions, Scripts, New Media, Music Videos and Experimental Productions.

The Categories

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Competition Categories for the 51st Annual WorldFest-Houston. Entries Officially Open as of Tuesday, August 15th, 2017! The FINAL Online Entry Deadline is JAN 15, 2018 Online, BUT if you can get your Entries in our office by JAN 31, 2018 ~ all is well! WorldFest will now accept Online Screeners via FilmFreeway.com – or via the Online or Printed Entry Form. We will require a Jump Drive, BluRay or DCP if your entry is selected for screening. The juries will be hard at work through to the end of February 2018 and we will inform winners by Saturday, March 31st, 2018!

Independent Shorts
Independent Experimental Films & Videos
Independent Theatrical Features
Independent Study Films & Videos
Television and Cable Production
TV Commercials / Public Service Announcements
Film & Video Production
Screenplays
Music Videos
NEW MEDIA (INCLUDING WEBSITES & 3D PRODUCTIONS)

FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION

Independent Shorts

301. Animated (Classic Cel Animation)
302. Animated (Clay & Other)
303. Anime / Manga
304. Comedy – Adaptation
305. Comedy – Black / Dark
306. Comedy – Original
307. Comedy – Romantic
308. Computer Generated / CGI / Mixed Media
309. Documentary (under 60 minutes)
310. Dramatic – Adaptation
311. Dramatic – Original
312. Family / Children
313. Fantasy / Horror
314. Historical
315. Live Action – Narrative (Little or No Dialogue)
316. Suspense / Thriller
317. Science Fiction
318. Westerns
319. Work in Progress – Shorts
320A. The SPACE Awards, any short film using NASA stock footage as a critical part of the film.

302B. Drone Productions (Total or Partial Drone Photography in the entry)

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
320. Cinematography – Shorts
321. Directing – Shorts
322. Editing – Shorts
323. Use of Go-Pro Cameras
324. Music – Shorts
325. Make-up & Special Make-up Effects Design
326. Screenplay / Script of entered short
327. Use of Drones
328. Visual / Special FX / CGI

INDEPENDENT EXPERIMENTAL FILMS & VIDEOS

350. Animated (Classic Cel Animation)
351. Animated (Clay and Other Techniques)
352. Anime / Manga
353. Comedy
354. Computer Generated / Mixed Media
355. Dramatic
356. Fantasy / Horror
357. Film & Video Art
358. Live Action (Little or No Dialogue)
359. Work in Progress – Experimental

INDEPENDENT THEATRICAL FEATURES

001. Action / Adventure
002. Animated (Any Technique)
003. Anime / Manga
004. Docu-Drama
005. Documentary
006. Comedy
007. Comedy – Black/Dark
008. Comedy – Romantic
009. Christian
009A. Crime Drama
010. Dramatic
011. Suspense / Thriller
012. Experimental / Dogma
013. Family / Children
014. Fantasy / Horror
015. First Feature
016. Foreign
017. Historical / Period Piece
018. Low Budget (under 250 thousand)
019. Mature / Adult Themes
020. Musical
021. Romance
022. Science Fiction
023. Westerns
024. Work in Progress – Feature Films
025A. The SPACE Awards, any short film using NASA stock footage as a critical part of the film.

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
025. Art Direction (additional category only)
026. Cinematography (additional category only)
027. CGI / Computer Generated SFX
028. Directing (additional category only)
029. Editing (additional category only)
030. Music Score (additional category only)
031. Make-up & Special Make-up Effects Design
032. Screenplay / Script of entered feature

*** For Titles, Trailers, Lead-ins & Logos – See TV Commercials / PSAs Category #460.

INDEPENDENT STUDY FILMS & VIDEOS

All may be entered in any two additional categories at no extra fee. A copy of your student ID is fine, or a letter from your school.

601. Graduate Level Student Productions
602. College Level Student Productions
603. High School Level Student Productions
604. Middle / Grade School & Below (14 & Younger)
605. Student Screenplays (of unproduced films/videos)

TELEVISION AND CABLE PRODUCTION

101. Animated
102. Anime / Manga
103. Analysis / Background of a Single Current News Story
104. Children’s Audience
105. Comedy
106. Continuing News Story Coverage
107. Cultural
108. Documentary
109. Education
110. Entertainment
111. Feature Made for Television / Cable
112. Health & Wellness
113. Individual On-Camera Talent
114. Information, Cultural or Historical Programming – Program
115. Information, Cultural or Historical Program – Series
116. Lifestyle Programming – Program
117. Lifestyle Programming – Series
118. Information, Cultural or Historical Programming – Segment
119. Interviews
120. Infomercials
121. Interstitials
122. Investigative Journalism
123. Live Events
124. Local Public Service
125. Local Television Programming
126. Movie Trailers
127. Nature / Wildlife
128. Network / Station / Cable Promotion
129. News & Documentary Program Directing
130. News & Documentary Program Editing / Graphics
131. News & Documentary Program Videography
132. News & Documentary Program Research / Writing
133. News & News Features
134. Pilots
135. Political / Commentary
136. Program / Individual / Technical Achievements
137. Public Affairs Programs
138. Reality-Based Programs
139. Religious Programs
140. Single Breaking News Story Coverage
141. Sports
142. Talk Shows
143. Travel / Tourism
144. TV Mini-series (3-12 Episodes)
145. TV Series – Comedy
146. TV Series – Documentary
147. TV Series – Dramatic (1-3 shows for all Series entries)
148. TV Series – Family / Children
149. TV Series – Informational
150. TV Special – Comedy
151. TV Special – Documentary
152. TV Special – Dramatic
153. TV Special – Family / Children
154A. The SPACE Awards, any TV production using NASA stock footage as a critical part of the film.

154B. Drone Productions (Total or Partial Drone Photography in the entry)

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
154. Animation
155. Art Direction
156. Cinematography / Videography
157. Copywriting
158. Direction
159. Editing
160. Graphics
161. Hi-Def / New Technology / HD
162. Humor / Comedy
163. Lighting
164. Music
165. Screenplay / Screenwriter / Script of entered production
166. Set Design
167. Sound / Sound Design
168. Special EFX / Computer Graphics
169. Station / Programs / Openings / Promos / Cable
170. Talent / Host On-Screen
171. Use of Drones
172. Use of GoPro Cameras

TV COMMERCIALS / PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

401. Amusement
402. Animated (Cel Animation)
403. Animated (Computer Graphics)
404. Apparel / Accessories
405. Associations
406. Automotive
407. Audio & Video
408. Automotive Products
409. Baked Goods
410. Bank / Financial (under $500M Assets)
411. Bank/Financial (over $500M Assets)
412. Beverages – Alcoholic
413. Beverages – Non Alcoholic
414. Beverages – Soft Drinks
415. Business Equipment / Services
416. Children’s Products
417. Collectibles / Gifts
418. Computers / Software / Games
419. Confections / Snacks
420. Consumer Electronics
421. Corporate Identity / Communications
422. Cosmetics / Perfume / Beauty
423. Cultural Institutions / Organizations
424. Dairy Products
425. Department Store / Mass Retailer
426. Direct Response
427. Drug & Alcohol Abuse
428. Education
429. Entertainment / Amusement
430. Environment / Social Issues
431. Events
432. Fashion / Clothing / Apparel
433. Financial Services (non-bank)
434. Fitness
435. Foods / Beverages / Groceries
436. Fuel / Gas / Oil
437. Fund Raising & Appeals
438. Green / Ecology / Conservation
439. Health / Health Care Services / Wellness
440. Hispanic / Latin Market
441. Home Furnishings / Major Appliances
442. Hospitals
443. House & Garden
444. Household Consumer Products
445. Institutional Identity
446. Insurance
447. International
448. Internet / Web
449. Laundry Products
450. Lawn / Garden Products
451. Law / Legal / Legal Services / Lawyer
452. Local Spot
453. Lottery
454. Low Budget (under $5000)
455. Machinery
456. Mall / Shopping Center
457. Media / Magazine Promotion
458. Medical / Optical / Dentistry
459. Movie Trailers / Titles / Logos
460. Newspapers / Publications
461. Not For Profit / Charitable
462. Orphans / Spec Spots
463. Patriotic
464. Personal / Gift Items
465. Pet Products
466. Pharmaceuticals
467. Political / Campaign
468. Professional Services
469. Public Health
470. Public Service
471. Publishers / Media
472. Real Estate
473. Recreation
474. Recreation Equipment
475. Regional Spot
476. Religion / Spirituality
477. Restaurants / Food Service
478. Retail
479. Sample / Show Reels (enter as a TVC Series for entry fees)
480. Series / Campaign
481. Services
482. Sports / Sporting Goods / Games
483. Station / Programs / Openings / Promos / Cable
484. Telecommunications / Internet Services
485. Tourism
486. Toiletries
487. Transportation
488. Travel / Leisure
489. Utilities
490. Universities / Colleges / Schools
491. World Peace & Understanding

491A. Drone Productions (Total or Partial Drone Photography in the entry)

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
492. Animation
493. Cinematography / Videography
494. Copywriting
495. Direction / Art Direction
496. Editing
497. Graphics
498. Hi-Def / New Technology / HD
499. Humor / Comedy
500. Music
501. Screenplay / Screenwriter / Script of entered production
502. Set Design
503. Sound / Sound Design
504. Special EFX / Computer Graphics
505. Station / Programs / Openings / Promos / Cable
506. Talent / Host On-Screen
507. Videography / Cinematography

508. Use of Drones
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FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION

201. Advertising / Promotional
202. Agriculture
203. Arts / Cultural
204. Automotive
205. Biographical or Autobiographical
206. Charitable / Non-Profit
207. Children’s
208. Community Management Urban & Rural
209. Corporate Image & Orientation
210. Corporate Communication
211. Cultural
212. Documentary
213. Direct Marketing
214. Ecology / Environment / Conservation
215. Educational / Instructional – Adult
216. Educational / Instructional – Children
217. Employee Communications
218. Entertainment
219. Ethnic / Cultural
220. Family Matters
221. Flight / Space Travel
222. Fund Raising
223. Government Relations
224. Hobby / Crafts
225. How To’s / Instructional
226. History & Archaeology
227. Human Sexuality
228. Independent Video
229. Industrial / Technical
230. In-Flight Cinema
231. In-House Productions
232. Insurance
233. Legal
234. Leisure & Recreation
235. Live Events
236. Manufacturing
237. Medical / Health / Fitness / Wellness
238. Medical / Treatments / Procedures
239. Motivational
240. Nature & Wildlife
241. Nuclear / Energy Issues
242. Oceanography / Marine Biology
243. Performance Arts-Dance, Drama, Music
244. Pharmaceuticals
245. Political / International Issues
246. Production Co / Ad Agency Demo Reel
247. Public Relations
248. Public Service
249. Public Health
250. Recruiting / Career Guidance
251. Religion / Ethics / Spirituality
252. Safety / First Aid
253. Sailing / Water Sports
254. Sales & Marketing – Consumer
255. Sales & Marketing – Industry
256. Science & Research
257. Social / Economic Issues
258. Sports
259. Substance Abuse
260. Travel / Tourism
261. Training
262. Underwater & Marine Science
262A. Wedding Videos
263. Women’s Issues
264. World Peace & Understanding
265A. The SPACE Awards, any production using NASA stock footage as a critical part of the film.

265B. Drone Productions (Total or Partial Drone Photography in the entry)

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
265. Art Direction
266. Behind The Scenes productions
267. Cinematography / Videography
268. Copywriting
269. Direction
270. Editing
271. EPK’s (Electronic Press Kits)
272. Hi-Def / New Technology
273. Humor / Comedy
274. Music
275. Screenplay / Script of entered production
276. Special EFX / Computer Graphics
277. Talent – On/Off Camera
278. Use of Drones
279. Use of Go Pro Cameras

SCREENPLAYS

Screenplays must be bound in some way—2 or 3 brad or spiral bound. Should run from 70 to 120-150 pages for a standard 2 hour feature film. Not accepted loose-leaf in a box, or with a clip! Unproduced screenplays only. You may put your name and other info on the Title Page. We do not accept on-line screenplays, our judges do not use Kindle, they like to hold your script in their hand and read it … very old school, we know! We do require a brief Synopsis (Appx 100 words or so) for the judges to review prior to reading your Screenplay.

701. Action / Adventure
702. Biographical
703. Comedy – Adaptation
704. Comedy – Dark or Black Comedy
705. Comedy – Original
706. Comedy – Romantic
707. Dramatic – Adaptation
708. Dramatic – Original
709. Family / Children
710. Fantasy / Science Fiction
711. Historical / Period Piece
712. Horror / Thriller / Mystery
713. Romance
714. Short Film Screenplays (under 60 pages, lower entry fee)
715. Spiritual / Religious / Christian
716. Teleplays (under 60 pages, lower entry fee)
717. Westerns

MUSIC VIDEOS

801. Country & Western (C&W)
802. Children’s
803. Christian
804. Classical
805. Group
806. Instrumental
807. Jazz / Experimental / New Age
808. Latin / Hispanic
809. New Artist
810. R & B / Soul / Rap / Hip-Hop
811. Religious
812. Rock / R&R
813. Specials / Shows
814. Stage / Concert Performance
815. Vocalist (Any genre)
816. World Music / Techno
817A. The SPACE Awards, any Music Video film using NASA stock footage as a critical part of the Music Video.

CRAFT CATEGORIES:
817. Art Direction
818. Cinematography/Videography
819. Copywriting
820. Direction / Art Direction
821. Editing
822. Hi-Def / New Technology
823. Humor / Comedy
824. Low Budget (Under $5,000)
825. Music
826. Special EFX / Computer Graphics
827. Talent – On/off Camera

NEW MEDIA (INCLUDING WEBSITES & 3D PRODUCTIONS)

901. Hi-Def / New Technology
902. Interactive – Adult / Professional
903. Interactive – Business
904. Interactive – Children
905. Interactive – Educational – Adult / Professional
906. Interactive – Educational – Children
907. Interactive – Entertainment
908. Large Format – IMAX®
909. Meeting Openers, Breaks, Closings
910. Multi-Video (3 + screens, may be entered on composite DVD or Jump Drive)
911. Video Walls (may be entered on composite DVD or Jump Drive)
912. Websites
913. Best Copy / Writing – Websites
914. Best Green Website
915. Best Home / Intro / Welcome Page
916. Best Website Navigation / Structure
917. Best Use of Animation / Graphics
918. Best Website Visual Design – Graphic
919. Best Website Visual Design – Function
920. Cellular Media – Personal Videos
921. Cellular Media – Commercial Videos
922. Video Podcast
923. Web Series (3 or more episodes)
924. 3D Digital Productions (DVD iV SBS -Side By Side – 3D Contents)

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY

51st WORLDFEST-HOUSTON APRIL 20TH-29th, 2018

If you enter only one film festival this year, make it WorldFest, the tried and true 51 year-old testament to "Film Discoveries"!

Entering is Quick and Easy! We Welcome Your Entry!

ENTER

             51^st WORLDFEST-HOUSTON “CALL FOR ENTRIES!”

“FORGET SUNDANCE! …WorldFest is one of the best conceived festival productions on the planet!” ~ Craig Outhier, film critic, Phoenix press; Tempe Times.

The 51^st Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival continues its totally dedicated Independent Film screening format for the upcoming April 20-29, 2018…! WorldFest will screen just 80-90 feature film premieres, with a total and absolute emphasis on the American and International Independent feature films and a continuing annual spotlight on award-winning short films and documentary films.

Entry forms & complete entry information are on our website (www.worldfest.org) – Click on Enter Film Festival, check the FAQ, Categories, Entry Form… The Main Entry Deadline is Friday, Dec. 15^th 2017 – A Mail-By Ship-By Deadline! Entries do not have to arrive by this deadline.  Now you can also enter with Feature, Shorts, & Documentary submissions via our great online partner Film Freeway  https://filmfreeway.com/

WorldFest Artistic and Program Director, Kathleen Haney, stated, “We are fiercely dedicated to the Indie Feature and Short Film and look for a quality selection of individual films to maintain a smaller, yet effective program rather than an overly large and unwieldy slate of 150-300 films. Haney continued, “At WorldFest we use the mantra‘A good story, well told’ as our time-tested approach to film selection”. (For complete winner info from the past WorldFests, go to – https://www.worldfest.org – click on the Winners tab.)

Ridley Scott commented “WorldFest is in the business of validating excellence!” after he received the Grand Remi Award in 1985 for his famous 1984 Apple TV commercial. The mission of WorldFest is to recognize and validate creative excellence in film & video production in every facet and category of filmmaking. Many filmmakers report that a Remi Award from WorldFest helps them doors to advance their film careers.

WorldFest proudly presents two ongoing Panoramas each year; The 13^th Annual Panorama Italia co-sponsored by The Italian Cultural Institute and The Italian Consulate and also the Fourth Annual Panorama China, a major, comprehensive survey of modern Chinese cinema, both independent & major studio films from China. WorldFest will also continue the annual Short Film Showcase, a special review of more than 100 new and award winning short and student films...from the festival that gave first top honors to Spielberg, Lucas, The Coen Brothers, Ridley Scott, Robert Rodriguez, Spike Lee, Gavin Hood, John Lee Hancock, Michael Cimino, Steven Poster, Oliver Stone, Ang Lee, Atom Egoyan and David Lynch, among many others! Few other festivals have such a “discovery” track record. WorldFest has emerged as the oldest continuous film festival management in the world with the same executive director, J. Hunter Todd serving for 50 consecutive years. A few other festivals are older, but they have had as many as ten different directors. WorldFest is the oldest film festival in The South.

  WorldFest began in August 1961, as an International Film Society. It began screening Independent, foreign & art films. It became an officially competitive International Film Festival seven years later, in April 1968, and has been in continuous operation since. It is one of the original three film festivals in North America, with San Francisco and New York as the first two events. Following WorldFest was Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, and Seattle. Then Sundance and SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca. Now there are more than 3,000 USA film festivals of various types, levels and quality, most being simply non-competitive screening events! WorldFest is international, competitive and invites filmmakers worldwide. WorldFest has emerged as the oldest, longest running Independent Film Festival in the whole wide world!

The 51^st Annual WorldFest offers International Competition in; Features, Shorts, TV production, TV commercials, unproduced Screenplays & Teleplays, Experimental, Student, Documentary, Business & Industry, New Media, and Music Videos. WorldFest is the largest film & video competition in the world, in sheer number of actual category entries, with more than 4,300 category entries received in 2017. There are almost 200 sub-categories for competition, allowing each film to compete in its own individual genre.

WorldFest-Houston is sponsored by the State of Texas, the City of Houston, Lopez Negrete Communications, Eastman Kodak, the Texas Film Commission, Boxer Properties, Arcodoro Ristorante, Masterpiece International, The Universal Film & Festival Organization (UFFO) Cottonwood Financial, the Brown Foundation, InkTip and Avis/Budget and the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA).

If you plan to enter only one film festival, it should be WorldFest.

For more information on the 51^st Annual 2018 WorldFest-Houston, simply send your name and address to:

Entry Team WorldFest - 2018
51^st Annual WorldFest-Houston
9898 Bissonnet St. #650, Houston, Texas 77036 USA

or call toll free: 1-866-965-9955 (or 713-965-9955) or fax: 1-713-965-9960

Or simply email us at: entry@worldfest.org

The complete Entry Kit with Entry Forms - is on our secure website: https://www.worldfest.org

(The 51^st Annual WorldFest-Houston is April 20-29, 2018) 

WorldFest was founded over 50 years ago as an International Film Society in August, 1961. WorldFest became the third competitive international film festival in North America, following San Francisco and New York. WorldFest is the oldest Independent Film & Video Festival in the World. It evolved into a competitive International Film Festival in April, 1968. It was founded by award-winning producer/director Hunter Todd to present a quality film festival for the Independent filmmakers. Hunter Todd has been honored with more than 115 international awards for creative excellence in film production, and he has been the producer, director, writer and/or cameraman on more than 300 motion picture and video productions. The mission/vision statement of WorldFest is to recognize and honor outstanding creative excellence in film & video, to validate brilliant abilities and to promote cultural tourism for Houston, to develop film production in the region and to add to the rich cultural fabric of the city of Houston. All members of the WorldFest staff are filmmakers.

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival (now it’s 50th year!) continues with its totally dedicated Independent Film screening format for the upcoming April 21-30, 2017 unspooling at the flagship AMC Studio 30 Dunvale Theaters. WorldFest will screen just 55-60 feature film premieres, with a complete and absolute emphasis on the American and International Independent feature films and with a continuing annual spotlight on an individual country and its films. WorldFest also offers competition in TV Production, Documentary, Corporate & Business Films, Student & Experimental, TV Commercials, Film & Video Production, Music Videos, New Media (Interactive, Web Sites & 3D Productions), Screenplays, Print and Radio.

The late, great Chuck Jones, with his wife Marian, Kathleen Haney and Hunter Todd.

WorldFest is one of the oldest and largest film & video competitions in the world, with more than 4,500 category entries received from 37 countries in 2006. Actually WorldFest is 12 Major film & video competitions in one event, unlike Cannes, Sundance and Toronto, which are just 2 competitions for shorts and features only. Because of our 12 major competitions and the 200+ sub-categories, WorldFest does give a lot of awards, but they are both earned and deserved. No awards are given in any category unless the scores from the juries are high enough to place for honors. Overall only 15-20% of the total category entries actually win an award at WorldFest. However, everyone attending the Grand Awards Gala wins an award, as we only invite the actual winners, which makes for a delightful and enjoyable evening, since there are no disappointed “nominees” that do not win anything. Those that do not win an award are informed by email or letters prior to the festival.

WorldFest Artistic and Program Director Kathleen Haney stated, “We feel that it is impossible to properly emphasize individual films when the festival screening schedule is too large. We must consider both our festival audience and our independent filmmakers. A huge slate of 150-300 films cannot possibly do justice to each individual film. Further, it is impossible to see more than 50-60 films (with four shows a day) in a ten-day festival, so it is foolish to program more than that.” Haney continued, “We will concentrate on only the very best, selecting new American & Foreign Independent films that truly deserve a premiere at WorldFest. By doing so, we can concentrate on the films and their filmmakers and enable our faithful audience the opportunity to see each and every film!” All 35mm films and Digital entries are screened at the AMC Studio 30 Dunvale Theatre, 2949 Dunvale Road, WorldFest – the Indie Film Festival for the New Millennium!

Jury Selections for Short & Feature Films is nearing the final stage for the 51st WorldFest! Remi Winners will begin receiving Award notices over the next 10-14 days and beyond! The International Juries hope to complete all reviews by mid- March.

Starting with its 51st continuous showing, a new home has been selected for the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival: Memorial City-Houston’s Cinemark Theatres! 

The Cinemark Memorial City Theatre is a state-of-the-art complex with 16 auditoriums featuring Luxury Lounger seating. Cinemark Luxury Loungers are electric-powered, plush, oversize lounge chairs with footrests and cup holders. All auditoriums have 4K digital projection powered by Barco projectors and enhanced sound systems that will enable guests to hear the movies as the filmmakers intended. 
WorldFest began in August 1961, as an International Film Society, screening Independent, foreign & art films. It became an officially competitive International Film Festival seven years later, in April 1968, and has been in continuous operation ever since. It is one of the original three film festivals in North America, with San Francisco and New York as the first two events. Following WorldFest were Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Seattle, Sundance and SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca. 

WorldFest Artistic and Program Director, Kathleen Haney also stated: “We are looking forward to this wonderful new partnership with Cinemark, both for our international filmmakers and our Houston audiences. They will now enjoy a luxurious cinema feel combined with the caring and professional staff at the Cinemark 16 at Memorial City Mall.” Haney continued, “WorldFest will continue to bring the best independent international films along with their directors to Houston and now to Memorial City! This move marks an exciting shift for WorldFest to include sight, sound and feel in our festival for the ultimate cinematic experience.”

The 51st Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival will present two ongoing Panoramas: The 13th Annual Panorama Italia, co-sponsored by The Italian Cultural Institute and The Italian Consulate in Houston as well as the 4th Annual Panorama China, a comprehensive survey of modern Chinese cinema from both independent and major studios from China. WorldFest will also continue the annual Short Film Showcase, a special review of more than 100 new and award winning shorts and student films, from the festival that gave first top honors to Spielberg, Lucas, The Coen Brothers, Ridley Scott, Robert Rodriguez, Spike Lee, Gavin Hood, John Lee Hancock, Michael Cimino, Steven Poster, Oliver Stone, Ang Lee, Atom Egoyan and David Lynch among many others. More than 1,000 International filmmakers from 74 countries are expected to attend during the ten-day festival.

WorldFest-Houston is sponsored by Memorial City Mall, Cinemark Theatres, Boxer Property, Lopez Negrete Communications, the State of Texas, the City of Houston, Eastman Kodak, the Texas Film Commission, Masterpiece International, The Universal Film & Festival Organization (UFFO), Cottonwood Financial, the Brown Foundation, InkTip, Avis/Budget, Regent University and the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA).

Dates for the 51st Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival are April 20-29, 2018. https://www.worldfest.org ~ For additional VIP Pass and Single Ticket information, call 713-965-9955 or e-mail - attend@worldfest.org.

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Check the list of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum awards and Special Jury prizes.

Hunter says the next Lucas, Spielbergor Coen brothers mightbe in this year's selection of fine winners.

I had submitted more than 10 films which I represent as their festival agent. Two received top awards: Living in the Future's Past received Special Jury Award, Living among us received a platinum award.

Check the list of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum awards and Special Jury prizes.

Hunter says the next Lucas, Spielbergor Coen brothers mightbe in this year's selection of fine winners.