Reel East Texas Film Festival
The Reel East Texas Film Festival is an annual film event held at the historic Texan Theater in downtown Kilgore, Texas. Established in 2019, the festival focuses on independent films and offers competitive awards across multiple categories. Operated by East Texas filmmakers, it emphasizes regional storytelling while attracting global submissions.
History
Founded by filmmakers Jacob and Leah Porter, the Reel East Texas Film Festival debuted in 2017 at the historic Texan Theater in Kilgore, Texas. The theater, a Art Moderne venue built in 1931, was restored in 2016 to host cultural events. Key developments include:2021: Partnered with Kilgore College to launch a student film competition, receiving 48 submissions.2022: Added a horror film block curated by Texas filmmaker Don Thacker, featuring shorts like East Texas Hot Links.2023: Received over 300 submissions from 28 countries, including Robin Givens' feature Nanna.2024: Kilgore designated a "Film Friendly City" by the Texas Film Commission, promoting regional film production.By 2023, the festival screened over 100 films annually, with nearly half being student projects.
Event Structure
The four-day festival features:Programming
- **Competitive Screenings**: 8 feature films and 32 shorts selected annually
- **Special Presentations**: Retrospectives of Texas filmmakers like Eagle Pennell
- **Industry Panels**: "Financing Indie Films" with producer Elizabeth Avellán
Awards
Jury prizes include:| Category | 2023 Winner | Country |
| Best Short | A Kind of Testament | France |
| Audience Choice | East Texas Hot Links | USA |
Economic and Cultural Impact
- Generates $150,000+ annual economic impact for Kilgore
- Partnered with Texas Film Commission to promote regional filming locations
- Featured in Texas Monthly's "10 Can't-Miss Fall Events"