Houston Cinema Arts Festival to unveil 2025 lineup with free party at ARTECHOUSE

The Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF) is gearing up for its 2025 edition — and film lovers will get the first look at this year’s lineup during a free release party on Wednesday.

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Hosted by the Houston Cinema Arts Society, the event will take place at ARTECHOUSE, located on W. 6th St., starting at 7 p.m. The organization invites the public to RSVP and celebrate the official programming reveal ahead of the festival’s run from Nov. 6-16, 2025.

This year’s theme, HERE, explores what it means to be present, shaped by experience, and navigating the uncertainty of our time. Organizers say HCAF’s festival continues its mission of “Connecting Through Cinema,” amplifying Houston’s reputation as a premier fine arts city while championing underrepresented and untold stories.

Highlights of the 2025 lineup include:

• Houston Stories, a short film showcase spotlighting local filmmakers and narratives.
• Borders | No Borders, featuring emerging talent from Texas and Latin America.
• The 11th annual CineSpace competition with NASA.
• Strategic partnerships with SWAMP (Southwest Alternate Media Project), Aurora Picture Show, and other Houston arts organizations.

Screenings and events will take place across multiple venues, including the DeLUXE Theater in Fifth Ward, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall at Rice University, Aurora Picture Show in Second Ward, and Brasil in Montrose.

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The 2025 festival promises over 25 feature films, seven short film blocks, 10+ workshops, networking events, youth field trips, staged screenplay readings, and performing arts programs — plus an arts market and gallery exhibit celebrating the intersection of film and creativity.

The lineup release event is free to attend and open to the public. Organizers say it’s the perfect opportunity for cinephiles, artists, and community members to connect ahead of one of Houston’s most anticipated cultural festivals.

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While the event is free to attend, the public is encouraged to RSVP in advance. You can do so by clicking here.