The third annual Amarillo International Film Festival opens Thursday, Oct. 10, with 62 independently produced films screening on two screens in two rooms.
Filmmakers submitted more than 140 films, according to Kate McSwain, president of the Amarillo Film Society. Judges narrowed the field to 62. The directors come from Canada, Costa Rica, France, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States, and 17 of the selected films came from Amarillo filmmakers.
"All of the films are independently produced. They are brand new and have never been shown commercially," McSwain said. "The business is all about exposure for filmmakers."
Sherman Bass, film commissioner for Visit Amarillo, said several past festival entries have gone on to streaming services like Prime or Netflix. The festival also runs the same weekend as the Amarillo Art Institute's annual Night Glow, which highlights art created with fire. Executive director Rachel Flores said the institute always schedules it alongside the film festival, and there is plenty of fire and fun for people to join.
No festival film has made a big box office yet, but Bass says it will happen eventually.
Common questions
How many films are in the Amarillo International Film Festival?
- The festival is screening 62 independently produced films. Filmmakers submitted more than 140 films, and judges narrowed the field to 62. The films screen on two screens in two rooms. According to Kate McSwain, president of the Amarillo Film Society, all of the films are brand new and have never been shown commercially.
When does the Amarillo International Film Festival start?
- The festival opens Thursday, Oct. 10. This is the third annual Amarillo International Film Festival, and its 62 independently produced films screen on two screens in two rooms. Kate McSwain, president of the Amarillo Film Society, says the business is all about exposure for filmmakers.
Are any of the festival films from Amarillo filmmakers?
- Yes, 17 of the 62 selected films came from Amarillo filmmakers. Directors come from Canada, Costa Rica, France, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. Filmmakers submitted more than 140 films, and judges narrowed the field to 62.
