Established in 2019, the festival focuses on independent films and offers competitive awards across multiple categories.
[2] Operated by East Texas filmmakers, it emphasizes regional storytelling while attracting global submissions.
[3] Founded by filmmakers Jacob and Leah Porter, the Reel East Texas Film Festival (RETFF) debuted in 2017 at the historic Texan Theater in Kilgore, Texas.
[1] The theater, a Art Moderne venue built in 1931, was restored in 2016 to host cultural events.
[4] Key developments include: By 2023, the festival screened over 100 films annually, with nearly half being student projects.