HCAS launched its inaugural five-day film festival in 2009 in Houston, Texas.

This five-day, multi-venue festival includes over 50 narrative and documentary films, film premieres, an interactive video installation gallery,[3] 16mm screening room, live multimedia performances, panel discussions, Meet the Makers workshops,[4] and free outdoor and student field trip screenings.

In its relatively short history, HCAS has brought notable guest artists, such as Tilda Swinton, Alex Gibney, Guillermo Arriaga, Isabella Rossellini, John Turturro, Shirley MacLaine, Richard Linklater, Zlatko Topčić, Ethan Hawke, Fisher Stevens, Robert Redford, Tracy Letts, Will Forte, Barbara Hammer, Jonas Mekas, and Thomas Haden Church among many others, to the Festival.

The presentation of the award is usually accompanied by a gala screening of a new or classic work followed by an on-stage interview with the artist.

Levantine Films Cinema Arts Awards recipients include Isabella Rossellini, Ethan Hawke, Robert Redford, and Richard Linklater.