The Lone Star Film Festival is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary starting this Wednesday, showcasing an impressive lineup of films. Among the highlights are the music-infused romance “Bleeding Hearts,” Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut,” and the Cannes award-winning documentary “Rehearsals for a Revolution.” This festival promises a week full of cinematic experiences for film enthusiasts in North Texas.
The festival will feature a diverse array of narrative and documentary films, special presentations, and short films from around the globe. Screenings will take place from Wednesday through Tuesday, November 11, across various venues in Fort Worth.
Main screenings will occur at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, with additional films shown at the AMC Palace Theater, Texas Ballet Theater headquarters, and Fort Works Art. Special events, including the closing gala on Thursday, November 13, will be hosted at Bowie House. Festival pass holders can also enjoy coffee and film-related activities at Ampersand Coffee & Cocktails throughout the event.
While individual film tickets have sold out, all-access passes are still available for $400, offering full access to all seven days of the festival, including more than 20 film blocs, afternoon discussions, evening gatherings, and happy hours. This investment is ideal for dedicated film fans. Passes can be purchased at LoneStarFilmFestival.com.
Featured Films
“Bleeding Hearts,” directed by Andrew Morgan, tells the story of real-life musicians Zella Day and Jesse Woods, who navigate their first year together while pursuing their dreams amid challenges that could either threaten their relationship or lead to significant breakthroughs.
Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” is a musical comedy that follows the transformation of shy housewife Mona Friedman, who takes on a small role in a community theater production and evolves into a passionate method actor willing to confront the domineering director to uphold the integrity of her performance. The film features notable actors like Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, and it recently closed the 70th BFI London Film Festival.
“Rehearsals for a Revolution,” directed by Pegah Ahangarani, is a poignant documentary that won the L’Œil d’or at Cannes. The film presents a personal exploration of over 40 years of post-revolutionary Iranian history, combining family archives, home videos, protest footage, and personal narratives, organized into five chapters dedicated to friends and family lost through the tumultuous years.
Individual film tickets start at $12, and the complete festival schedule, along with ticket information, can be accessed at LSFF26.eventive.org/schedule. The festival features a remarkable selection of over 70 short films, nearly half of which come from Texas filmmakers, emphasizing local talent.
Documentary and Narrative Highlights
Among the documentary features, “A Cowboy in London,” directed by Jared L. Christopher, follows Texas country singer-songwriter Charley Crockett during his UK tour. Other notable documentaries include “Home From the Vietnam War” by Mat Hames and “The Man with the Big Hat” by Austin Lee Sayre.
In the narrative feature category, films such as “Murderous” by Neil LaBute and “Rumination” by Dylan Snyder will be screened, alongside “Unwinding” by Reza Ghassemi.
The festival also showcases several short films including “The Best Little Tiny Park in Texas” by Margaret Barry, “Lessons Learned in Cotulla” by Oddett Garza, and “Wonderful World with Clint Townsend” by Michael Dean Marbach.
The Lone Star Film Festival is organized by the Lone Star Film Society, a nonprofit that promotes cinema in Fort Worth and highlights the city as a center for film production in Texas. The Fort Worth Film Commission, part of Visit Fort Worth, has facilitated numerous projects, contributing significantly to the local economy and job creation in the creative industries.
