Lone Star Film Festival returns to Fort Worth for 2025. Here’s what to expect
Fort Worth’s 19th annual Lone Star Film Festival returns this week.
Local film advocate Johnny Langdon and Fort Worth actor Bill Paxton created the festival in 2007 as a way to celebrate the art form and to showcase the city. This year’s event is from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.
More than 80 films will screen at the festival, including “Train Dreams,” the latest from Fort Worth native Greg Kwedar.
In addition to the mix of feature and short film screenings, attendees can expect panel discussions and social events around the Cultural District. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Movie Tavern West 7th Street will serve as the festival’s screening hubs.
A $300 all-access pass includes access to all films, afternoon talks with filmmakers, entry to evening parties/social events and complimentary beverages at parties/happy hours. For those looking to only watch films, the $175 movies-only pass includes access to all screenings. Individual tickets for each screening are also available.
Ahead of the festival, the Star-Telegram spoke with LSFF executive director Chad Mathews about what to expect from this year’s lineup, events and annual gala.
‘Train Dreams’ to open 2025 Lone Star Film Festival
The festival’s opening night film is a special out-of-competition screening of “Train Dreams.”
Directed by Dallas-based Clint Bentley, the film follows Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), “a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly changing America of the early 20th Century.” Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr. and William H. Macy also star.
Bentley co-wrote the film with Kwedar, who was born and raised in Fort Worth and now resides in Austin. The duo are creative partners and last collaborated on “Sing Sing,” which screened at last year’s festival and went on to land three Oscar nominations.
“Train Dreams” will be the fourth film from the pair to screen at the festival, after “Transpecos” in 2016 and “Jockey” in 2021.
“As a filmmaker and a film fan, I just look at those guys, and I’m just inspired by them,” Mathews said. “I’m cheering for them, and also am like, ‘Gosh, I wish I was doing what they’re doing.’ Because they’re doing it right.”
“Train Dreams” premiered to rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and was quickly purchased for distribution by Netflix.
The streamer will release the film in select theaters on Nov. 7 and on its streaming service a couple of weeks later on Nov. 21. While the Oscars are still months away, both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter predict “Train Dreams” will be nominated for at least one or two awards.
2025 Lone Star Film Festival lineup and events
More than 80 films are screening at the festival, including 15 features and over 70 short films.
Mathews said he doesn’t feel like anyone can make a mistake by checking out any of the film lineup, especially anything in the Texas-made section. At least 17 films screening at the festival were made in the Lone Star State, including the following:
“The Roditi Rule” follows former TCU men’s tennis teammates David Roditi and Devin Bowen as they coach the next generation. “Bailando Culture” follows ballet Folklórico dancer Claudia Tiffany Rodriguez on a journey to preserve her cultural heritage.
“We do like celebrating the movies, the short films, the features that are being shot here in Texas,” Mathews said.
For a full list of feature and shorts, visit here.
In addition to the films, Mathews is encouraging folks to attend the various film talks held across the festival.
This is something the festival has boosted this year, and even if someone is not a filmmaker, Mathews recommends checking one out to learn something new.
The Texas Film Commission has a “Making Movies In Texas” discussion about the industry set for Thursday afternoon. On Sunday, “Landman” co-creator Christian Wallace will discuss adapting his Texas Monthly podcast “Boomtown” into the Paramount+ show.
Fort Worth native James V. Hart will lead a talk on screenwriting and discuss his past projects, including “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “Hook,” on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
“I just find it really interesting, and I think that people, even outside of the film industry, will as well,” Mathews said.
‘Landman’ season 2 premiering at Lone Star Film Festival
Festival attendees will also get a first look at “Landman” season 2 ahead of its Paramount+ premiere on Nov. 16.
On Nov. 6, the festival will host a screening on the season 2 premiere at the Modern. The evening will begin with a red carpet and cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:45 p.m.
Billy Bob Thornton and other “Landman” stars Sam Elliott, Andy Garcia, Michelle Randolph and Paulina Chávez will be in attendance. “Landman” co-creator Christian Wallace and executive producer David Glasser will also be there.
The event is open for free to festival all-access pass holders. Folks can start reserving seats now via the festival’s website.
Lone Star Gala to honor Sam Elliott and Abraham Alexander
Every year, the Lone Star Film Festival celebrates filmmakers at its annual gala.
Actor Sam Elliott and musician Abraham Alexander are among those being honored at the black tie gala on Friday, Nov. 7. at the Bowie House hotel.
Elliott will receive the “Bill Paxton Achievement in Film Award,” which celebrates actors and filmmakers whose careers “embody bold, risk-taking artistry.” Over his lengthy career, Mathews said Elliott has done exactly that.
“I think Sam Elliott is perfect for Fort Worth, especially since Fort Worth is tied to Western culture,” Mathews said. “He’s a fantastic fit for us.”
Alexander will receive the “Stephen Bruton Award,” which is named in honor of the late Fort Worth musician and celebrates musicians with significant ties to film.
It’s been quite a year for Alexander, who landed an Oscar nomination earlier this year for Best Original Song for “Like a Bird” from “Sing Sing.” With Alexander being a Fort Worth local and securing such a major achievement, Mathews said the festival wanted to celebrate him.
“We just need to celebrate the fact that [Alexander] did something quite remarkable in film,” Mathews said. “I mean, to be nominated for an Oscar, it’s pretty incredible.”
The Lone Star Film Festival runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.
