The 2025 REELpoetry International Poetry Film Festival wrapped up its run on April 12th, after a fantastic online showing that began on March 31st. This year featured an exciting new format, expanding its online presence to showcase incredible national and international screenings. Viewers enjoyed juried submissions from across America and thirteen countries around the globe. The online lineup also included special, themed programs curated by invited festival directors from Austria, Ireland, Mexico, England, and America. A highlight this year was the addition of wonderfully imaginative poetry videos created by young artists 18 and under.

For fans of short films and international cinema, the festival delivered on both fronts! All films and videos were under six minutes, yet powerfully impactful, blending poetic language with stunning visual artistry. The festival also presented cutting-edge works that explored raw life experiences and experimental approaches to filmmaking as an art form.

International entries hailed from Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, all featuring translations. Many of these juried selections were U.S. and world premieres!

The expanded online programming also included a vibrant REELcafe, hosted daily by festival director, Fran Sanders. This virtual space provided a platform for filmmakers, poets, videographers, viewers, curators, creatives, submission judges, and friends, both old and new, to connect, converse, and network. Discussions ranged from reactions to the films to current projects, ideas, questions, and general thoughts.

The festival culminated in a live, in-person event on Saturday, April 12th, featuring poets and filmmakers from Houston and Texas, including the current Texas Poet Laureate. These programs showcased original collaborations, readings, interviews, and performances by over twenty talented artists!

Good news! You can still catch select films with SCREENING ON DEMAND through May 15, 2025.