The annual Viva Texas Film Festival will be held September 15th-17th, 2023.  Inspired by Victoria’s unique culture, founders Karissa Winters & Claire Santellana launched Viva Texas Film Festival in 2022. This festival provides opportunities for the local community, visitors, filmmakers, and everyone in between to come together and celebrate the power of film and art in a unique setting. 

 The first Weekend of the Arts was spurred last year when Viva Texas Film Festival incorporated the VTX Art & Music Walk into their programming. We are excited to bring the second Weekend of the Arts which has expanded to include the Art Expedition Art Show/Contest, Music and Film Workshops, Fashion Show, and more. The Art & Music Walk will once again be during the festival as well. 

Viva Texas Film Festival incorporates our region’s unique heritage, hospitality, culinary delights, and artistic style. The city’s former festival, Victoria Texas Independent Film Festival, was an amazing event many people in the area looked forward to. We plan to bring an equally amazing event that celebrates film in a new way. 

Awards

Viva Texas 

Best Foreign Language Film

Best Narrative Feature

Best Narrative Short

Best Student Short

Robert J. Hewitt Jr.

Best Documentary Feature

Best Documentary Short

Judges

-Trey Ganem of A&E Trey the Texas Medium and SoulShine Industries

-Matt Maust: Bassist of Cold War Kids & Artist

-David Faskas, Victoria Bach Festival President

-Tony Vasquez, Victoria Fine Arts Association Board Member & Victoria Ballet Theatre Chairman

-Zach Wendel, The Nave Museum Vice President

-Craig Tracy, Artist

-Scotty Peterson, Visual Effects

-Marques Anderson, Cyborg Anthropologist

-Shaira Barton, Actor, Model Host, Voiceover Talent

-Greg Cipes, Entertainment Creator- Voice of Beast Boy from Teen Titans Go & Michelangelo from Ninja Turtles

-Keith Kohn, Victoria Advocate- Executive Editor

-Jesse Kove, actor

-Brian Phipps, Senior Motion Editor

-Fe Vela Royer, Lead Social Media Strategist, local artist

-Rob Royer, President of Building Brands Media

-Greg Werner, Final Colorist

Venues

The Texas Zoo

120 S. Main St in Downtown Victoria, TX

Victoria ISD Fine Arts Center