Waco may be best known for its small-town charm, it's tourism appeal -after all, Waco earned the distinction as Texas's first Tourism Friendly Certified Community by Travel Texas-, it's rich history, Dr. Pepper, and it's higher education options - from McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College and of course, Baylor University. Beyond higher education options, a rich entrepreneurial community, and a current uptick in growth, Waco is a great place to call home, and one of the most inspiring indie film festivals in Texas: the Waco Indie Film Festival does just that. Formerly known as Deep in the Heart of Texas Film Festival, this event has become a beacon for filmmakers and cinephiles alike, offering a platform for emerging talent, bold storytelling, and community-driven celebration.

At the helm of it all are Samuel Thomas -Artistic Director- and Louis Hunter -Operations Director, co-founders and longtime filmmaking partners. Their journey began in film school, blossomed into friendship and collaboration, and sparked a passion to bring a film festival to life in Waco, Texas—a city they believed was ripe for the kind of magic indie cinema can deliver.

"We toured the festival circuit ourselves," they shared. "And while the big cities are fun, small towns and communities rally around film in ways that are incredibly special. Waco just felt right." Backed by early support from Creative Waco and the Texas Film Commission, the festival launched its first event in 2016.

Why the Name Change?

Originally branded Deep in the Heart, the festival underwent a rebrand to better reflect its mission and identity. "Waco Indie is clean, simple, and speaks directly to who we serve—Waco and independent filmmakers," said the co-founders.

A Festival on the Rise

What began as a single-venue event has grown to three screening venues for 2025, offering an expanded lineup of films and genres. Submissions have skyrocketed year after year, and with a recent feature in MovieMaker Magazine's "Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" list for 2025, expectations for continued growth are high.

The festival also connects with audiences far beyond screening rooms. Through special events like 254 Creatives Mixers, KWBU's Movie Club, featuring year-round screenings, Waco Indie actively nurtures both appreciation for film and opportunities for local creators to collaborate and grow, while also contributing to expand the Waco entertainment scene.

Why Waco?

The answer is simple: Waco is full of great stories.

"We put a big emphasis on story, and Waco is a city full of them," expressed the Co-founders, Louis Hunter and Samuel Thomas. Waco Indie has grown alongside the city, building bridges with creatives, community leaders, and national organizations alike. Whether you're visiting,  new to town or a lifelong resident, Waco Indie Film Festival offers a fresh lens through which to appreciate the city and its creative undercurrent.

Crowd Favorites, Cult Classiscs, New Opportunities and Memorable Moments

The festival isn't just about screening films—it's about bringing people together. From anniversary showings like the 30th anniversary screening of Dazed and Confused with special guest, actor Jason London; to sold-out horror film blocks, the festival constantly evolves based on feedback, opportunities and audience enthusiasm.

"Neither one of us are big horror fans. We never expected horror to be so popular here," they laughed. "But after year one, the numbers spoke for themselves. So we leaned in!"

Supporting the Next Generation

Waco Indie champions new voices through grants and programs, like the "Made in Waco" contest, which offers a a production grant to a screenplay finalist, and provides "$2,500 in production rebates + hotel + camera/lighting package to the recipient to film their script in Waco - a production package worth $5,000!" The result? Real films made in Waco by passionate creators.

One such story involves two California-based filmmakers who met at Waco Indie, collaborated on a screenplay, and won the inaugural grant. Their film, The Heart of Texas, -whose plot coveres a tragic story about competing versions of the American dream- which went on to screen at dozens of festivals and made it to the Oscars long list.

Another great story involves the opening night feature for this year, "A Christmas in New Hope".  An Austin-based director and her producer came to Waco for the festival, they took our Waco

Locations Tour, and that sealed the deal! Boom, a holiday film made in Waco!

Geared towards promoting and encouraging film appreciation and filmmaking in Central Texas, their mission has taken flight. 

They have now started a running blog for Alumni Updates & News: https://wacoindie.com/updates 

The 2025 Festival and Beyond

This year's event promises even more, including expanded blocks like "A Life Less Ordinary"(focused on heightened reality) and "What Do We Owe Each Other," (Which goes over the struggle to belong), plus a record-breaking number of comedy submissions.

With screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and signature parties like the VIP Game Night at Southern Roots, the in-person experience is more than just watching movies—it's about building a creative community. "People come in as strangers, and leave as friends!"

With continued partnerships with the City of Waco, the Texas Film Commission, and plans to keep exploring relevant themes like educational panels on AI in filmmaking, the festival remains committed to both innovation and inclusion.

How to Join the Story

Want to get involved? It's as easy as buying a ticket. Or, for those who want a closer look, volunteer opportunities abound—with perks like free screenings, VIP access, and a chance to meet the filmmakers.

For Thomas and Hunter, the mission is clear: "We want Wacoans to feel that this is their festival. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a returning fan, you're part of the story."

To volunteer, attend, or simply learn more: visit wacoindie.com

Waco Indie Film Festival 2025

Dates: July 17-20, 2025

Location: Downtown Waco

Online Encore: July 20-26

Tickets + Info: wacoindie.com