The 40 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists, reviewers, critics, and commentators in radio, television, digital and traditional print media outlets across the US. Each year, these cinephiles spend thousands of hours watching new releases to identify films, scripts, and performances worthy of recognition. For the last 15 years, the organization has voted in both traditional and eclectic awards categories and shared their favorites with the public. The 15th Annual Movie Awards will salute the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Ensemble Cast, and a dozen other notable achievements in film releases from 2021. Of particular note are the filmmakers nominated for the Society's Texas Independent Film Awards, many of whom are expected to be in the audience that night.

Following the approximately 2-hour awards show, all ticketed guests are invited to a reception in the MATCH Gallery, directly across the breezeway from the theatre.