The Lone Star Film Festival started 20 years ago, when Fort Worth had little to no independent film scene, according to Lone Star Film Society executive director Chad Mathews. He said the founders were passionate about movies and wanted Fort Worth to have access to independent films. The festival now connects local audiences with emerging Texas filmmakers and independent storytellers from around the world. It is presented by the Fort Worth Film Commission.
The 20th anniversary festival runs Nov. 4-13 across Fort Worth. An All-Access Pass costs $350, and individual screening tickets are sold separately.
Anderson William, the festival's technical director and programmer, said reaching 20 years is meaningful because many festivals do not last that long. "A lot of festivals don't make it to year five," he said. William also said he has seen the quality and creativity of emerging filmmakers at the festival grow over the past 10 years.