The Woodlands to welcome the inaugural Piney Woods Film Festival in June

THE WOODLANDS, TX – A pair of local videographers and filmmakers have put together a new film festival for The Woodlands, the first such festival since the last Inspire Film Festival back in 2020. Justin Woods and Gary Parker founded the Piney Woods Film Festival to showcase not only the local growing filmmaking scene in the area, but the talents of professional and student filmmakers alike all over the world.

The three-day festival will take place June 11 - 13 at the Lone Star College - Montgomery campus on College Park Drive in The Woodlands. Tickets are now on sale for one, two, or all three days, with special VIP and Founders Passes giving extra benefits. Tickets can be bought at https://pineywoodsfilmfestival.org/tickets/.

Woodlands Online is proud to be a sponsor of the festival, which is billed as a celebration of bold, independent cinema from around the world. Founded under Broadcasting Texas, a 501(c)(3), and rooted in Texas creativity, the organizers plan to proudly spotlight student and emerging filmmakers while providing a vibrant space where stories from every background take root, grow, inspire, and thrive.

“Through film, we connect global voices with local communities – nurturing the next generation of storytellers and honoring the power of cinematic expression for all,” said Woods, who has more than two decades of experience in video production. His early work included serving as producer, director, and editor for Shattered Lives programs, helping raise awareness about impaired and distracted driving for over two decades. Since 2016, he has been the Video Production and Broadcast Manager at Woodlands Online. In the film world, he has contributed to multiple feature films, including The Bracelet of Bordeaux, Dark Gift, BorderCross, and most recently, Reunion.

Co-founder Gary Parker, with more than 50 years of experience in film and video production, is a seasoned professional whose career spans directing, producing, cinematography, and screenwriting. A fixture in the Conroe, Texas, creative community for 29 years, Gary leads Quanah Studios and Quanah Productions, Inc., a full-service production company focused on crafting positive, message-driven motion pictures and documentaries. He is also the co-founder of Indie Films Studios Film School (IFF), president of Dynamic Global Media LLC, and programming manager for KVQT Channel 21. His feature film credits include Cindy’s Silence, Reunion: A Shattered Lives Story, and Dead End Diner, among others. His documentary work includes Montgomery County Shattered Lives, In Between Dances, and Conroe, Texas: The First 100 Years.

For its inaugural season, the festival has received 128 submissions currently being reviewed by more than twenty judges with considerable experience in the film and entertainment communities. Approximately half of these submissions has come from student filmmakers.

“High school students and younger could submit a film for free,” explained Woods. “We contacted at least 80 schools from all over to participate in our event.”

Not only does the festival plan to showcase new and emerging talent, but also the films from other cultures. While a majority of the films entered have been domestic, submissions have come in from Italy, Israel, the United Kingdom, India, Norway, Pakistan, the Middle East, and all over Europe. The films eligible for the festival can range from one-minute trailers to full features up to two hours long.

The team of staff and volunteers is keeping busy between now and the premiere, with plans for a fundraising gala, Q&A with filmmakers, live music performances, after parties, a red carpet event, awards, and community events.

To learn more, visit https://pineywoodsfilmfestival.org/.