Finalists & Nominees 2026

Check your email for the official "Judging Status has changed for..." notification from FilmFreeway (possibly in junk/spam). The Judging Status email contains the Nominee and Finalists STXIFF Laurels and important deadline information.

Finalists

Pitch-Texas Student Division

• Escapism, Writer Alexandra Guerrero

• RINGMASTER'S JUNCTION, Writer Diego Alberto Calderon

• The Joke’s On Me, Writer Miguel Angel Martinez

The Pitch

• Daniela and the Apocalypse, Writer Enrique Quintanilla

• Hola Awesome Possum, Writer Craig Alan Alaniz

• Once upon a time in modern times..., Writer José R. Rivera Jr

• The Unraveling of Edgar, Writer Magaly Patricia Treviño

• Whatever You Want, Writer Hondo Constante Teran

Nominees

Best Film

Narrative Feature Film

• Fishman, Director Joe Rios Jr

• Pieces of Us, Director Ben Fullman

Documentary Feature Film

• Cycles of Resilience: A Journey Through Austin's Black History, Director Ya'Ke Smith

• Los Tejanos: A 500-Year History, Director Joseph C. Stillman

Documentary Short Film

• Hope for the Guadalupe, Director Ben Masters

• SONS, Director Eli Brooks Davidson

• Wonderful World with Clint Townsend, Director Michael Dean Marbach

International Short Film

• Nan, Director Genaro T. Pérez

• Raya Among The Clouds, Director Iane Nicole Artillaga

• RISE, Director Jessica J. Rowlands

RGV Short Film

• Adagio, Director Joseph Balderas

• In the Mood for Violence, Directors Mario Alberto Zamarripa, Jose Guadalupe Zamarripa

• Yuri Part II, Director Zack Rodriguez

Texas Short Film

• Friend of the Enemy, Director Samuel Balas

• Hide, Director Brenden Hubbard

• SweetNess, Director Vanessa Rae Lerma

U.S. Short Film

• Holmes, Directors Kahlil Maskati, Erik Martinez,

• Rosalie, Director Erin McGuff-Pennington

• Take Me Home, Director Fabian Martin

TX Student Division Short Film

• Meadow Melody, Directors Alizah Barbee, Alana Lombardi

• The First Date, Directors Diego Calderon, Antonio Diaz

• Yvonne & Beau, Director Devine Galvan Gracae Galvan

Nominees

South Texas

Awards

South Texas director

• Joseph Balderas, Adagio

• Vanessa Rae Lerma, SweetNess

• Joe Rios Jr, Fishman

SOUTH TEXAS CINEMATOGRAPHY

• Hope for the Guadalupe

• In the Mood for Violence, Andrew Gonzalez Perez

• SweetNess, Sam Lerma

South Texas Sound

• Insensible Losses

• SweetNess

• Yuri Part II

South Texas Actor

• Scot Johnson "Van", Adagio

• Angello Salais "Alonso", ADELA

• Brian Warren "Anton", Adagio

South Texas Actress

• Elizabeth Raquel Ramirez "Ines", SweetNess

• Patricia Rigney "Mandy", Fishman

• Daniela Tiscareno "Adela ", ADELA

 CELEBRITY GUEST Edward James Olmos

Hollywood legend, award-winning actor, and cultural icon Edward James Olmos is joining us as our 2026 Celebrity Guest for the 12th Annual South Texas International Film Festival (STXIFF)!

From his unforgettable, Oscar-nominated performance in Stand and Deliver to his legendary roles in Selena, Blade Runner, and Battlestar Galactica, Mr. Olmos has shaped the landscape of film and television for generations. Now, he’s heading right here to the Rio Grande Valley! Don't miss your chance to experience independent cinema, attend industry workshops, and share the room with a true cinematic pioneer.

Mark Your Calendars

September 10–12, 2026

Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events (ACE) Center in Edinburg, TX

Passes & Info: Purchase Tickets

June 20

Official Selection information

Filmmakers check your email after 5:05 PM central time on June 20, 2026 for an email from “FilmFreeway <noreply@filmfreeway.com>” titled “Judging Status has changed for….”

July 8

Deadline for filmmakers to send STXIFF all required files and information so we can prepare for STXIFF 2026 and build the webpage for the films and pitches. Details are in the June 20th “Judging Status has changed for….” email.

Early August

Film Nominees and Pitch Finalist will be announced on social media and notified with an email from “FilmFreeway <noreply@filmfreeway.com>”

 STXIFF 2026 Registration Deadlines

 STXIFF 2025 Award Winners

Congratulations to the Award Winning Films and Pitches at the 11th Annual South Texas International Film Festival

STXIFF 2025 48 Hour Film Race Awards