Film Festival Brings International Cinema, Workshops to Edinburg

Staff Report

EDINBURG, TX — The South Texas International Film Festival will return to Edinburg this week, showcasing films from across the globe while spotlighting local and regional talent.

The four-day event, hosted at the Edinburg Arts, Culture & Events Center, runs Sept. 10–13 and features film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and a screenplay pitch competition. All screenings are free and open to the public, with the exception of Saturday’s awards gala dinner. The full schedule is available here.

Founded to promote the growing film industry in the Rio Grande Valley, STXIFF has become a competitive international festival, welcoming filmmakers in categories such as feature-length, documentary, short, student, music video and animation. Organizers say the event is distinguished by its focus on personal engagement with filmmakers, paired with “South Texas hospitality.”

Opening night on Wednesday begins with a red carpet at 5:30 p.m., followed by a slate of Rio Grande Valley short films and music videos. Local filmmakers will participate in post-screening Q&A sessions.

Thursday’s schedule highlights Student Day programming with workshops and screenings, along with the 48-Hour Film Race and international feature presentations. Friday’s lineup includes documentary screenings, panel discussions on industry networking, and U.S. and international feature films.

Saturday will feature pitch competitions for screenwriters, a celebrity panel with actors and filmmakers, and a wide-ranging showcase of short films. The festival will conclude with its 11th Annual STXIFF Award Gala, beginning with a red carpet at 6 p.m. and followed by the awards ceremony and dinner.

The City of Edinburg organizes the festival as part of its effort to promote the arts and position the community as a hub for film and culture in South Texas.

Source — South Texas International Film Festival