Name: The Sacred Underground Film Festival
Start: 2026-01-01
End: 2026-11-21
Location: Carver Community Cultural Center

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN:

The Sacred Underground Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 2026 season, welcoming filmmakers worldwide across categories including Short Film, Extended Short Film, Student Film, and Music Video. Submissions are open through October 31, 2026, with selections announced by November 7, ahead of the November 21 showcase at the Carver Community Cultural Center. Filmmakers of all experience levels are invited to share their work and be part of this vibrant creative gathering.

THE GODFATHERS:

The Sacred Underground is thrilled to share that The Godfathers, a short film showcased at The Sacred Underground, is moving forward as a feature-length project! The filmmakers have partnered with Film Independent to continue developing the film and are now welcoming supporters to be part of the journey through tax-deductible contributions.

If you’d like to support independent filmmaking and help bring The Godfathers to life, click the link below.

Support The Godfathers

2026 THEME: Welcome to the 80's

Every year, The Sacred Underground Film Festival selects a unique theme to celebrate the spirit of creativity, nostalgia, and storytelling that shapes our community. These themes help set the tone for each festival - immersing our audience in a distinct world, inspiring our filmmakers, and adding an extra layer of fun and connection to the experience.

For 2026, we’re turning the clock back to the electric, neon-soaked world of the 1980s. Expect big hair, bold colors, retro synths, and the unmistakable energy of an era defined by iconic films, groundbreaking music, and unforgettable pop culture.

Press & Media

Entrevista con John Lambert – Sacred Underground Film Festival!

En esta entrevista, John Lambert reflexiona sobre el cine como una experiencia transformadora, el valor de las narrativas independientes y la importancia de crear espacios donde las historias auténticas, provocadoras y humanas puedan existir fuera de lo convencional.

Interview with John Lambert – Sacred Underground Film Festival!

In this interview, John Lambert reflects on cinema as a transformative experience, the value of independent narratives, and the importance of creating spaces where authentic, provocative, and human stories can exist outside the conventional.

Double Dave's Podcast - Inside the Sacred Underground

Sat down with The Sacred Underground Film Festival's John Lambert and got some meaningful and great topics beyond film making!

We Are The Sacred Underground

We are a homegrown, grassroots film festival dedicated to showcasing local talent and supporting charitable causes.

The Sacred Underground is more than a name - it's a community. That includes you. That includes all of us, working together in the spirit of creativity and connection.

We call ourselves Sacred because something deep within drives us to create. Through that shared calling, we come together to celebrate the act of artistic expression.

We are proudly Underground - not hidden, but rooted. Every meaningful movement begins from the ground up. This is our moment to shine, a collective unveiling of the voices and visions shaping our cultural landscape.

We honor the storytellers, writers, filmmakers, actors, and behind-the-scenes innovators who represent a rich and diverse creative ecosystem. Our programming spans genres, including action, comedy, documentary, music video, stream of consciousness, suspense, and horror.

Based in the creative heart of Texas, from the (210) to the (512), we invite you to join us in this celebration of independent art and community spirit.

Welcome to The Sacred Underground
Where creativity grows.
Where voices rise.
Where we rise - together.

Board of Directors

John Lambert

Festival Director

Jorge Robledo

Technical Director

Amy Hamilton

Treasurer

Nicole Thrash

Secretary

Our SACRED History

Our Story

The Sacred Underground Film Festival was born from love, loss, and the healing power of cinema. What began as Short Shorts Film Festival in 2009 emerged from a deeply personal place—as a way to cope with the profound challenge of a loved one's terminal illness and to create something meaningful for our community.

Our Origins

From 2009 to 2013, Short Shorts Film Festival brought independent cinema to San Antonio audiences across several beloved venues. Starting at the Overtime Theater in October 2009, we grew steadily through multiple events at the Overtime Theater, 13th Floor Studios, and finally the Josephine Theater. Throughout this journey, our festival maintained a mission close to our hearts: raising funds for families of cancer patients at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC).

The festival represented more than just film screenings—it was a gathering place for community, creativity, and compassion during some of life's most challenging moments. After our founder's wife passed away on May 9th, 2012, we held one final Short Shorts event in February 2013 before taking time to grieve and reflect.

Our Rebirth

After a decade of reflection, we reemerged in 2023 as the Sacred Underground Film Festival. Our new name honors both the sacred nature of storytelling and the underground spirit of independent cinema that has always driven our mission.

Now calling the Carver Theater home, we continue to celebrate the transformative power of film while carrying forward the compassionate spirit that first inspired our festival. Our 2026 season launched in January and continues through November, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and community members in spaces where stories can be shared, heard, and honored.

Our Mission

The Sacred Underground Film Festival remains committed to showcasing independent cinema while fostering community connection and supporting meaningful causes. We believe in the power of film to heal, inspire, and bring people together—especially during life's most profound moments.

Join us as we continue this sacred work of storytelling and community building.