BEAUMONT, Texas – Organizers of the Spindletop/Lamar University Film Festival announced Feb. 8 their decision to move this year’s festival from April to November 10-12. The impact of Hurricane Rita on the planning process for the three-day event, was cited as the primary reason for the delay.

“By moving our festival to November, we will be at the beginning of the film festival season rather than the end,” said festival advisor O’Brien Stanley. “Spindletop is known for our emphasis on the professional development of young filmmakers, so we hope this new time slot will make our event more accessible to high school and college students as well as film professionals and the general public.”

The film festival allows film students and others a way to meet Hollywood insiders and professionals involved in all aspects of filmmaking, from directing to music composition. Past speakers have included actors Irma P. Hall ("Collateral" and "Ladykillers) and William Atherton ("Die Hard" and "The Last Samurai") as well as director Stuart Gordon ("Re-Animator"), FX expert Steve Wolf, musicians, animators, screenwriters and others.

The deadline for film festival contest submission is May 31. Submissions are accepted in three areas: high school, college, and advanced. The categories include animation, documentary, experimental, narrative and music video. Lamar University Communication Department awards an annual scholarship to the "Best of Show" winner at the high school level and a prize for the "Best of Show" college entry.

For more information, call (409) 880-7222 or visit www.spinfest.org .