El Paso Film Festival Named to MovieMaker’s Top Film Festivals List for Third Consecutive Year

The El Paso Film Festival has been named to MovieMaker Magazine's annual "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" list for the third consecutive year, cementing its place as one of the most compelling independent film destinations in the country. The honor follows the festival's 2024 recognition as one of MovieMaker's "Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World," and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

What MovieMaker's Recognition Actually Means for El Paso

This is not a participation trophy. MovieMaker's annual list spotlights festivals that deliver real value to independent filmmakers, measuring programming quality, filmmaker support, audience engagement, and overall experience. Three consecutive years on that list means EPFF is a fixture.

Founded in 2018 by El Paso filmmaker Carlos F. Corral, the festival screens more than 40 feature-length and short films annually, spanning narrative and documentary works. Through a partnership with Creative El Paso, the festival also offers free screenings and educational industry panels, making film culture genuinely accessible across the region.

The Filmmakers Who Show Up Say It All

If you need proof that EPFF has become a serious destination for serious filmmakers, look at who has walked through its doors. Last year's festival brought in Kevin Smith, who performed a stand-up special in El Paso that absolutely delivered. It also welcomed Lloyd Kaufman, the legendary founder of Troma Entertainment, the underground studio that gave the world The Toxic Avenger and helped define the DNA of independent horror and cult cinema. And then there was Elizabeth Avellan, the producer whose credits include the Spy Kids franchise, Sin City, Machete, Desperado, and From Dusk Till Dawn, (IMDb) and co-founder of Troublemaker Studios alongside Robert Rodriguez (IMDb) , the Austin-based production powerhouse that proved indie filmmakers could build an empire on their own terms. That is not a small guest list.

What Is Next for EPFF

The 2026 El Paso Film Festival is set for September 24 through September 26 in downtown El Paso, with confirmed venues at the Plaza Theatre and the Philanthropy Theatre. Festival founder Carlos F. Corral has made no secret of the ultimate goal: Oscar-qualifying status on a bi-national stage.

El Paso has the culture, the creative fire, and now three years of national recognition to back it up.