South Texas International Film Festival Kicks Off Today in Edinburg With Olmos as Featured Speaker
Edinburg, South Texas International Film Festival, STXIFF, Edward James Olmos, Edinburg ACE Center
Staff Report
Edinburg TX – The 12th Annual South Texas International Film Festival opens Thursday at the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, running through Saturday.
This year’s festival features 31 independent works, including 22 regional, state and world premieres, alongside workshops, networking opportunities and Q&A sessions with featured filmmakers, according to the City of Edinburg.
Thursday, Sept. 10 — Opening Night
The festival opens with a red carpet entry at 5:30 p.m., celebrating Rio Grande Valley talent, followed by a 6:30 p.m. screening of short films created for the STXIFF 48-Hour Film Race by local filmmakers.
Friday, Sept. 11 — Friday Showcase
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for five film blocks running from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., showcasing a range of voices and genres.
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Pitch Competition, Workshops and Awards Gala
Saturday morning opens with “The Pitch,” in which aspiring screenwriters present original film ideas to a panel of industry professionals for a chance to win a cash prize. Screenings run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., highlighting films produced by Texas filmmakers.
Actor Edward James Olmos headlines this year’s guest roster, joined by actors Valente Rodriguez and Dannie McCallum for a celebrity panel.
The festival concludes Saturday evening with red carpet interviews at 6 p.m., followed by the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m., honoring the festival’s top films and creators.
Tickets
Admission options include a single film block for $5, a single-day pass for $10, a full festival pass for $25 (excluding the gala), and an awards gala ticket for $65, which includes dinner and awards entry.
Tickets and the full 2026 screening schedule are available at stxiff.com. For questions regarding ticketing, scheduling or media accreditation, contact stxiff@cityofedinburg.com.
Source – City of Edinburg