The Houston International Film Festival is the third oldest film festival in North America, started in 1961, right after New York and San Francisco.

It is the oldest Independent film festival in the world and we are fiercely independent!

We value a “Good Story, Well Told” and want to share what we find with Houston.

Our mission is to recognize and honor outstanding creative excellence in film, to validate brilliant abilities, to promote cultural tourism for Houston, to educate young people in the cinematic arts, to develop film production in the region and to add to the rich cultural fabric of the city of Houston.

Join us for ten great days in April as we explore the endless possibilities of cinematic excellence. We bring the world to the silver screen in the most  diverse city in America.