ABout BTK Film Fest
The Billy the Kid Outlaw Film Festival challenges creative filmmakers to take the trail less traveled — to explore the lives of the disenfranchised, the broken, and the outcast. When you think of the outlaw, think of the stories that need to be told. The Billy the Kid Outlaw Film Festival invites filmmakers to submit completed films that answer the question: What does it mean to be an outlaw? And we’re not just talking about a standoff in the wild west — tell us stories of any character who goes against the grain. Outlaw films explore the theme of being just outside the boundaries; facing challenges and not just the bad guys. We want the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Billy the Kid Outlaw Film Festival accepts full length and short films (35 minutes maximum), music videos & television commercials and takes place each November in historic Hico, Texas. It is our mission to Hico, Texas, celebrate filmmakers from all over the world, while giving our local film makers and residents a place to come together and appreciate the art of making movies. Our Executive Committee is made up of movie critics, film makers, local business owners and educators. Our mission
It is our mission to Hico, Texas, to celebrate filmmakers from all over the world, while giving our local film makers and residents a place to come together and appreciate the art of making movies. Our Executive Committee is made up of movie critics, film makers, local business owners and educators.
The Hico-based Billy the Kid Film Festival today announced the films and events for the 5th edition of the popular film festival taking place November 3-5. The annual spotlight on outlaw-themed films, as well as Texas-shot and made productions, will be led by Daniel A. Edwards’ documentary about the film festival’s namesake, Billy the Kid: the Silver City Photo, and Oscar Torre’s provocative drama A Summer Night will be the official Closing Night selection
The 5th edition of BTKFF will be marked by an impressive expansion of the film program, which has more than doubled from last year and includes 72 films (14 feature-length, 58 short films and music videos). The film festival has successfully carved out a loyal local fan base and regard with Texas-based filmmakers, especially within the western genre.
In addition to the screening presentations, the Billy the Kid Film Festival’s interactive offerings will include a film festival workshop with local filmmaker consultant Rebecca Smith, a Popcorn and Dublin Soda Party at Green Canoe, High School and College Student Photo Contest, and a live performance by Jon Young Band. BTKFF will also welcome back beloved character actor Barry Corbin as a special guest, as well as Dennis and Amanda Moore from Pine Moore Old West Studio, the famous western and Old West location set and stages which has been utilized by countless films, television shows, commercials, and music videos for scenic backdrops. For the second year, the Moores will present the Pine Moore Award to a winning filmmaker during the Man in Black Tequila and Tamale Awards Party at Hico Hall on Saturday, November 4 followed by the performance of the Jon Young Band. Following the final round of screenings on Sunday, the People’s Choice Awards will be announced.
Festival founders and directors, Philip Vasquez, and Luci DiGiorgio, along with lead film programmer Justina Walford, said, “The expansion of this year’s film lineup coupled with workshops, in-person appearances by special guests, and a live musical performance points to our film festival’s continued growth and ambition to become a must-stop for Texas-based filmmakers and a destination for those around the world to celebrate our brand of outlaw and western filmmaking.”
BTKFF kicks things off on Friday night, November 3 with Daniel A. Edwards’ documentary about the film festival’s namesake, Billy the Kid: the Silver City Photo. Narrated by Emilio Estevez, with music by Country and Western recording artist Tim Montana, the film unveils what is believed to be a never-before-seen photograph of the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid, discovered in rural Canada, and depicting him in Silver City, NM at a pivotal moment prior to joining the Lincoln County War. The film will be introduced by Barry Corbin.
Oscar Torre’s A Summer Night will serve as the official Closing Night selection on Saturday, November 4. The provocative drama follows an exotic dancer, struggling to stay sober, as she faces the pressure of trying to raise thousands of dollars overnight for her mother's experimental cancer treatment. Chuti Tiu recently won a Best Actor Award at the Love and Hope Film Festival in Barcelona for her lead performance in the film. Both Oscar Torre and Chuti Tiu will attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A.
The Full Moon Fathers, The Killing of Billy the Kid, Goin’ Home
Additional film highlights include Sean Cranston’s The Full Moon Fathers about a biker gang who discover one of their members has been killed after a night of partying and must find the culprit before another member is targeted. Brett Bentman’s The Killing of Billy the Kid is the latest film to dramatize sheriff Pat Garrett’s legendary pursuit of Billy the Kid. Steven Mark Shaw’s Goin' Home follows the build up to a confrontation between a bigoted group of troops on the prairie with revenge-minded Apaches following the unnecessary killing of a young Apache girl.
Into the Spotlight, Taking the Fight
Additional highlights among the documentaries include Thaddeus D. Matula’s multiple award-winning Into the Spotlight, a heartfelt story that follows a Dallas-based theatre troupe, composed of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are determined to write, rehearse, and perform their 11th annual original musical during the 2021-22 season. The critically-acclaimed film won Best Documentary at the Deep in the Heart Film Festival, Greenpoint Film Festival, Ignite Film Festival, and DIFF. Carlos Arrieta’s Taking the Fight focuses on Stuart Warren Dansby, a 56-year-old who enters the kickboxing ring for the first time to battle against an opponent 30 years his junior in an against all odds quest for a championship.
The Billy the Kid Film Festival sponsors include: The City of Hico, Hico Chamber of Commerce, Tarleton State University, Cast-O Matic, Wiseman Chocolates, Blue Star Trading, Frank Kent Cadillac, and The Bosque Film Society.
Film festival passes and tickets are on-sale now. For more information on the Billy the Kid Film Festival go to https://www.billythekidfilmfestival.com.
This year is the second year of our collaboration with the Bosque Film Society, a society from our nearest county to the east which appreciates the film arts and is dedicated to the preservation of the Cliftex Theater, the oldest continually running cinema in Texas. This year we will take the winners of the BTKFF to the Cliftex for a free screening on Nov. 19.