For the first time in two years, the 15th annual Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF) is offering in-person premieres and screenings of feature films and short movies.  This year’s festival runs Nov. 11-14 and will showcase movies at two locations: The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the newly renovated Downtown Cowtown at the Isis Theatre.

 

Fort Worth has become a destination for film crews in recent years. "12 Mightly Orphans," which was largely filmed in and around Fort Worth, was premiered in the Stockyards this summer. The Lone Star Film Festival celebrates local film-related achievements and Fort Worth's legacy as the hometown of successful actors, directors and filmmakers.

The festival’s gala will feature the presentation of the Stephen Bruton Award to singer-songwriter, Michael Martin Murphey. The award is named in honor of the Fort Worth musician and songwriter who produced the score for Crazy Heart. Texans Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke will be honored with an in-person presentation of the Larry McMurtry Award.

“I think our audience is hungry to get back out there into the film world,” said Chad Mathews, executive director of the Lone Star Film Society. “What makes Downtown Cowtown so great is the capacity to have a lot of social distancing. It has 500 seats. Typically, at Lone Star Film Festival screenings, we would have 200 people at max. If we get to that point at a 500 seat theater, we would still have” space for social distancing.

For folks who want to get the most out of the four-day event, Mathews recommends the all-access film pass, which gives festival-goers access to all the films being shown.

“There is a unique variety of movies that include comedies, dramas and social justice movies showing during this year’s festival," Mathews said. “There is something for everyone.”

All-Access Passes

Provides priority admittance into each screening and access to all LSFF parties, panel discussions, and complimentary happy hours during the festival. All-Access Pass holders are allowed into events on a first-come, first-serve basis. This pass does not include the LSFF Gala. Purchase here.

Individual Screenings

There are over 80 films being screened during the festival: nine narrative feature films, seven documentary feature films, five showcase feature films and numerous shorts that will be screened in blocks. Folks who are interested in a particular movie can search the festival's website before purchasing tickets. You can also walk up and buy a ticket the day of the screening. Purchase individual screening tickets and view short blocks here

Where to Explore

Moviegoers in the Stockyards adventuring out between screenings at the Downtown Cowtown should check out the new developments in Mule Alley as well as new dining options like Taco Heads StockyardsSecond Rodeo Brewing and Sidesaddle Saloon. Attendees at The Modern can visit nearby West 7th Street for a range of dining and drinking options.

The 15th annual Lone Star Film Festival is a collaboration between the Lone Star Film Society and the Fort Worth Film Commission. Follow @lonestarfilmfest and @filmfortworth for updates.