Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Independent cinema takes center stage in the Rio Grande Valley as the City of Edinburg hosts the 12th Annual South Texas International Film Festival (STXIFF) from September 10–12, 2026, at the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events (ACE) Center.
Reinforcing Edinburg’s commitment to fostering local film development and showcasing regional talent, this year’s festival spotlights 31 standout independent works. Attendees can experience 22 regional, state, and world premieres—ranging from gripping documentaries to compelling live-action features—alongside interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and intimate Q&A sessions with featured filmmakers.
Festival Highlights
- Opening Night: Celebrating RGV Talent (Thursday, Sept. 10)
The festival begins with a red carpet entry at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. screening of high-octane short films created for the STXIFF 48-Hour Film Race by local Rio Grande Valley filmmakers. - Friday Showcase: (Friday, Sept. 11)
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for five distinct film blocks running from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., showcasing a diverse selection of voices and genres. - Pitch Competition & Workshops: (Saturday, Sept. 12)
Saturday morning opens with “The Pitch,” where aspiring screenwriters present original film ideas to a panel of industry professionals for a chance to win a cash prize. Screenings run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., highlighting films produced by Texas filmmakers. - Headline Celebrity Panel: Legendary actor Edward James Olmos headlines this year’s guest roster, joining beloved local talents Valente Rodriguez and Dannie McCallum on stage.
- Red Carpet Awards Gala: (Saturday, Sept. 12)
The festival concludes Saturday evening with red-carpet interviews at 6 p.m., followed by the official Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m., honoring the festival’s top films and creators.
Ticketing & Pass Information
Admission options are designed to welcome everyone from casual moviegoers to die-hard film buffs:
Single Film Block: $5
Single Day Pass: $10
Full Festival Pass: $25 (Excludes Gala entry)
Awards Gala Ticket: $65 (Includes dinner & awards entry)
Get Your Tickets
To purchase tickets, view the full 2026 screening schedule, or learn more about the schedule and programming, visitwww.stxiff.com (under the STXIFF 2026 tab).
For inquiries regarding ticketing, scheduling, or media accreditation, please visit the website or contact stxiff@cityofedinburg.com.
The City of Edinburg proudly invites filmmakers from across the Rio Grande Valley to participate in the STXIFF 48-Hour Film Race, an exciting competition that challenges teams to create an original short film in just two days.
The race begins Friday, August 14, 2026, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and filmmakers required to be present by 7 p.m. at the Arts, Culture, and Events (ACE) Center, 315 W. McIntyre St., Edinburg. During kickoff, contestants will review the rules and receive three randomly selected elements to incorporate into their films.
Teams will have 48 hours to write, film, edit, and submit an original short film, putting their creativity, collaboration, and resourcefulness to the test. Films completed within the required time frame will be screened during the 12th Annual South Texas International Film Festival, taking place September 10–12, 2026, and will be eligible for awards and special recognition.
Event Details:
● Event: STXIFF 48-Hour Film Race Kickoff
● Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
● Time: 6 p.m.
● Location: Arts, Culture, and Events (ACE) Center, 315 W. McIntyre St., Edinburg, TX
● Registration: One (1) participant per film will register on behalf of their team. Registration is $35 per team and is open through Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Limited on-site registration will be available on August 14, space permitting. Participants may review the complete rules and guidelines at stxiff.com/filmrace.
For more information, visit the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center at 315 W. McIntyre St., call (956) 388-8224, email stxiff@cityofedinburg.com, or visit stxiff.com/filmrace
