Houston Cinema Arts Society

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

DO NO HARM, the latest feature from Houston-based writer/director Chris Hartwell, makes its Houston premiere this Thursday, August 20 at River Oaks Theatre. The film follows a burned-out home health nurse whose simple mistake becomes a fatal one he'll do anything to hide.

The Hollywood Times called it "a pulse-tightening, morally complex debut that slices through the myth of infallibility in healthcare — and hits straight to the heart."

Our 7:15 PM screening has already sold out. Grab your seat for 9:45 PM before it fills up — and stick around after; cast and crew will be on hand for a Q&A.

This is exactly why we do this work: supporting the filmmakers and giving Houston audiences a front-row seat to them. Chris built this film here, with a story rooted in the people who hold our healthcare system together. Come see it on the big screen, in his hometown.

🎟️ Tickets for the 9:45 PM screening: https://bit.ly/donoharm_screening

08/14/2026

Save the date: the 2026 Houston Cinema Arts Festival Lineup Release Party is happening September 3rd at Cafe Brasil, 7–9PM.
Come enjoy food, drinks, and great vibes as we officially reveal this year's festival lineup at 8PM. As Houston's biggest international film festival, HCAF brings incredible films, performances, and special guests to our city; and often, Houston audiences see these films before they ever screen in LA or New York. It's a reflection of just how vibrant and diverse this city's film community really is.
This event is free, but RSVP is requested so we can plan accordingly.
RSVP here: https://cinemahtx2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a679c60a7329029a6e0a915
We can't wait to celebrate with you and share what's coming this October.

08/11/2026

We're letting the cat out of the bag early.
Houston Media Conference (Sept 17–20) is bringing some serious heavy hitters this year, and we couldn't wait to start sharing.

Featured Speakers (so far): Alexandria Stapleton, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Jared Ian Goldman, Elizabeth Avellán, and Nell Teare are all confirmed for this year's lineup — and this is just the beginning. More names are dropping soon, so keep your eyes on this page.

Featured Vendors: We're also thrilled to have Other World Computing, GodoxUSA / Godox Global, NAVA, Suite Bread, and Captiv Creative bringing their gear, tools, and expertise to the conference floor.

With support from: Houston Film Commission, Texas Film Commission, Houston Association of Producers, and Lonestar Capital Diamond Foundation.

This is shaping up to be one of HMC's biggest years yet — and we've barely scratched the surface of what's coming. Grab your Storyteller Badge (your all-access pass to everything HMC) or lock in a Vendor Booth to be part of it.
Stay tuned — there's a lot more where this came from. https://www.cinemahtx.org/hmc/

08/08/2026

Have you made a short film in Houston, Texas? We want to see it!
Submit your film to Houston Stories for a chance to screen at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in the Brown Auditorium as part of the 2026 Houston Cinema Arts Festival.
Selected filmmakers will receive:
• $50 honorarium
• 2 All Access Passes to the 2026 Houston Cinema Arts Festival happening October 1st to 11th.
Submit now through FilmFreeway.
https://filmfreeway.com/HoustonStories

Deadline: August 13

Houston Stories is a short film program spotlighting local voices during the Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF), the city’s largest celebration of film and ...

08/06/2026

The Houston Media Conference is back!!! Our theme this year is Breaking Silos, Building Stories. This event is for filmmakers, media creators, artists, art lovers, and anyone interested in learning more about Houston’s media industry. Join us September 17th to the 20th at the Hilton Doubletree Greenway Plaza. Get your discounted early-bird tickets while they last. https://cinemahtx.org/hmc

08/01/2026

HISTORY CORRECTED

07/30/2026

We are so proud to announce Michael Robinson as the new Houston Cinema Arts Festival Lead Programmer. We've worked closely with Michael for a few years already, and we're thrilled to work with him in this new capacity. Michael is already shining his light and curating an absolutely unforgettable festival. WE CAN’T WAIT TO SHARE MORE DETAILS, SOON! Thank you, Outsmart Magazine, for covering this very important milestone, not only for the HCAS team but also for Michael. We invite you to read this exclusive interview here: https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2026/06/houston-cinema-arts-festival-charts-a-new-course-for-october-2026/