Lone Star Film Festival Gala Honorees Announced

The Lone Star Film Festival, in partnership with the Fort Worth Film Commission, proudly announces Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Elliott as the recipient of the Bill Paxton Achievement in Film Award and Oscar-nominated musician Abraham Alexander as the recipient of the Stephen Bruton Award at the 19th Annual Lone Star Film Festival Gala on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Bowie House in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Bill Paxton Achievement in Film Award, named in honor of Fort Worth native Bill Paxton, recognizes actors, producers, writers, and directors whose careers embody bold, risk-taking artistry.

Sam Elliott
Photo courtesy of LSFF

“Sam Elliott’s storied career, especially his iconic contributions to the Western genre, resonates deeply with a festival rooted in a city so closely tied to Western heritage,” said Chad Mathews, Executive Director of the Lone Star Film Society.

Past recipients of this award include Luke Wilson, Paul Schrader, Jeff Nichols, Jane Seymour, and Cybill Shepherd.

The Stephen Bruton Award celebrates musicians with significant ties to film, honoring the legacy of Fort Worth musician and songwriter Stephen Bruton. This year’s honoree, Abraham Alexander, earned an Academy Award nomination for his song “Like a Bird” from the Lone Star Film Festival-selected feature Sing Sing.

Abraham Alexander
Photo Credit: Mike Pham

Past recipients include Charley Crockett, Ryan Bingham, Michael Martin Murphey, Tim DeLaughter, Pat Green, Terry Allen, Clint Black, Lyle Lovett, Ray Benson, Willie Nelson, T Bone Burnett, Betty Buckley, and Billy Joe Shaver.

The Fort Worth Film Commission, a division of Visit Fort Worth, continues its longstanding role as presenting partner of the Gala and the festival.

“We’re proud to partner with the Lone Star Film Society, which consistently honors the industry’s best, for the annual gala,” said Taylor Hardy, Fort Worth Film Commissioner. “This year is particularly special as we celebrate Fort Worth’s own Abraham Alexander, and welcome back Sam Elliott to celebrate his achievements in acting, including work on 1883 and Landman season two, filmed in Fort Worth.”

Individual gala seats are available for $600, and tables begin at $10,000. Proceeds benefit the Johnny Langdon Film Education Initiative, which provides film education programs for both adults and high school students interested in the art of cinema. For tickets and more information, visit lonestarfilmfestival.com/gala-2025

The Lone Star Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, brings the world of cinema to Fort Worth each fall through the annual Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF). This seven-day celebration highlights the art of independent film and the creatives behind it while showcasing Fort Worth as a hub for film production in Texas. Learn more at LoneStarFilmFestival.com.

The Fort Worth Film Commission, an office of Visit Fort Worth, was established in 2015 to promote Fort Worth and Tarrant County as an ideal place to produce film and television. Through location services, preproduction and postproduction, the Film Commission has worked with hundreds of projects, driven over $700 million in economic impact and created more than 50,000 jobs, raising awareness of Fort Worth as a city for creative industries and a tourist destination. For more information visit FilmFortWorth.com.

Visit Fort Worth is the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s 11th-largest city, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a thriving center of creativity, culture, commerce, and innovation. Its initiatives include the Fort Worth Herd, Fort Worth Film Commission, Fort Worth Sports Commission and Hear Fort Worth. Learn more at FortWorth.com.