7th Annual film festival - march 5-7, 2026
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THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2026
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Champions Award RECEPTION
Marie's Wine Bar
723 Austin Avenue
Waco, Texas 76706
“Remember The Times: A Memoir” book signing with 2026 Champions Award Recipient, Teddy Riley
Animation: Echo Chamber (GHANA)
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Student Film: The Ghost (RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
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Short Film: Sons (USA)
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Feature Film: The Klin (CHINA)
Some films may have subtitles | Appropriate for ages 13+
Texas Music Cafe
3004 Franklin Avenue
Waco, Texas 76706
FILM BLOCK I
“AN AFTERNOON WITH FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD”
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Opening Night at the Movies
Hippodrome Theater
724 Austin Avenue, Waco, Texas 76712
Animation: Between the Pages (USA)
“By 2020 Grand Jury Prize Winner for Best Short Film, Filmmaker Nicole L. Thompson”
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Student Film: Resurrection Under the Ocean (TURKEY)
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Feature Film: Champions (USA)
Appropriate for ages 13+
Featuring the Focus Features Hollywood film, "Champions," starring Woody Harrelson and Ernie Hudson.
Animation: Alicita (USA)
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Animation: HBCU Superheroes (USA)
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Short Film: Interception of Jayne Kennedy, An American Sportscaster (USA)
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Feature Film: Be the Light (USA)
“2020 Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film at the 2020 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival”
*Talkback will feature New York Times Best Selling Authors & Best Friends, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant.
Hippodrome Theater
724 Austin Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
FILM BLOCK I
THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF GREAT FRIENDSHIPS!
5th Annual Black History Month Celebration
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
*Talkback will feature a live performance by the musical group, “The Bergamots.”
Animation: Mosquito Fish (USA)
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Animation: Riley and the Wooden Sword (SRI LANKA)
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Feature Film: State of the Unity (USA)
FILM BLOCK II
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
THE STATE OF UNITY & COMING TOGETHER FOR GOOD
Hippodrome Theater
724 Austin Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024
10:30 a.m. - 01:00 p.m.
The Brilliance of Female Filmmakers!
Lee Lockwood Library and Museum
Beard Auditorium
2801 Waco Drive, Waco, Texas 76706
(Entrance is off of 29th Street)
Student Film: Limbo (BRAZIL)
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Short Film: Willows (USA)
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Feature Film: Washington’s Armour (USA)
FILM BLOCK III
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THE BUSINESS OF HOLLYWOOD: FILMMAKER EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
MARIE'S Wine Bar
723 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Session I:
2nd Annual PitchFest……
“How to Turn Your Idea Into A Film, TV, or Streaming Series,” Led by Courtney Parker, President & CEO, LostNThought Productions and “2021 Champions Award” Recipient
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Session II:
“It’s All About Animation!"
A Fireside Chat with Bruce W. Smith, Creator of “The Proud Family” on Disney+ and “2023 Champions Award” Recipient
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Session III:
“It’s Not Show Business, It’s Business Show!”
A Conversation with Hollywood Executives, Endyia Sterns and John Vilade
With our goal to always “empower the creative spirit,” this year, we are adding a series of conversations with Hollywood Executives, Producers, and Showrunners to share their insight with our filmmakers and the Waco community.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
FILMMAKERS TOUR of waco
Art Center Waco
701 S. 8th Street
Waco, Texas 76706
All filmmakers are invited to attend a FREE tour of the City of Waco to see all of the available places to shoot your next film.
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*Complementary lunch is included
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