The Addison Performing Arts Centre is expanding its cultural offering this fall with the debut of the Addison Full Circle Film Festival, a two‑day event dedicated exclusively to narrative films produced in Texas. The festival runs Nov. 7–8, featuring feature‑length movies on the Main Stage and short films in the Black Box Theatre.
Local Partnership Brings New Energy to The Addison
Full Circle Films’ creative partners, Andrew Worley and Bobby Williams, are co‑producing the festival in collaboration with the venue. “We’ve been exploring different ways to bring the arts to The Addison and found the perfect partner in Full Circle Films,” said Theatre Manager Nichole Belford. “This film festival will give the performing arts centre a different energy and we can’t wait to showcase Texas filmmakers in a new way.”
Focus on Texas‑Made Narrative Work
The festival’s submission guidelines require that eligible projects be primarily produced in Texas and, for non‑English language entries, include subtitles. Documentaries, student films, experimental pieces, music videos and episodic projects are not accepted. A panel of local filmmakers, educators and creative professionals will evaluate the entries, while audience members will also vote for crowd‑favorite awards in both the feature‑length and short‑film categories.
Spotlight on Local Talent
Worley, a veteran actor in the Dallas‑Fort Worth area for two decades, founded Full Circle Films to produce his own work. Williams, a longtime musician, also brings experience as a movie reviewer and podcaster. Both see the festival as a platform to draw attention to the thriving Texas film scene, which has benefited from recent state incentives.
State Support Fuels Texas Film Growth
In 2025, Texas lawmakers approved a long‑term funding structure that allocates $300 million every two years through 2035 to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. “Our goal is to bring awareness to the Texas film scene, which has grown rapidly in recent years thanks to the state’s varied landscapes and the Texas Film Commission’s $1.5 billion incentives for TV and films made in Texas over the next decade,” Williams said.
Renovations Enhance the Venue Experience
While the festival prepares to launch, The Addison is undergoing a series of upgrades, including new seating, updated restrooms and an improved bar area. These enhancements aim to modernize the historic venue and provide a more comfortable environment for both live‑theater and film audiences.
Beyond a Single Weekend
The Nov. 7–8 event is only the beginning of a multi‑season series. Additional festivals are planned for the winter and spring, culminating in the Addison Full Circle Film Festival Finale in August 2027. Winning films from earlier festivals will return for screenings and compete for a grand prize, giving Texas filmmakers multiple opportunities to showcase their work.
How to Submit
Submissions for the inaugural festival are open now through FilmFreeway. Detailed screening schedules, ticket information and further festival updates will be released as the November dates approach.
Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.
