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Dallas International Film Festival

Dallas International Film Festival, powered by Capital One, and Dallas Film is committed to providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television, screenwriting and digital media in the Dallas community. Through year round screenings, festivals and a variety of educational programs including The Veterans Institute of Film & Media and the Mercury One High School Film Labs, Dallas Film raises awareness of the world’s most approachable and inclusive art form. Over the years DIFF has contributed more than $1 million in filmmaker awards, hosted more than 1,900 filmmakers, and screened over 2,200 film from more than 50 countries.

DIFF / Film

DIFF High School Filmmakers: Film Submission Are Open!

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On April 5, 2021

The DIFF High School Student Showcase, part of the annual Dallas International Film Festival, is a student showcase for emerging youth filmmakers. Open to high school filmmakers anywhere, the Showcase highlights current creative works from today’s top talent among high school filmmakers.

Current high school students are invited to submit their film(s) through FilmFreeway for DIFF committee review. As a bonus, If you or your high school are aligned with Dallas Film’s High School Film Labs or DIFF High School Day, please use your school’s discount code to waive the entry fee (film teachers can confirm your school’s current registration status by emailing “highschool@dallasfilm.org”)

****You must include detail and image of your current school ID with your submission for your work to be considered.

If you are NOT a current student attending an approved high school, please submit your film on the Dallas International Film Festival submission page.

The high school showcase is competitive. Selected student films will be screened at the Dallas International Film Festival. Laurels will be allowed for selected films. Selected student filmmakers will receive one DIFF Student Pass to the entire festival in addition to walking the Red Carpet as directed.

– Student submissions are $10.00 per film
– Maximum running time is 10 minutes per film, films exceeding 10min will not be reviewed
– High School students submitting film(s) to the Showcase must include an image of their current student ID along with certain specific details supporting qualified, current high school students (ex: your film teacher’s contact information and your school district name, city and state are required).
-Schools are permitted to submit multiple films (there are no quantity limits for schools), however, film teachers should make a quality assessment of each film prior to approving any student’s submission for the competition.
-Student Films selected for the Showcase must have a festival quality, high resolution format file uploaded to FilmFreeway link by the final deadline.

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Dallas Film / Film

New Dates for Dallas International Film Festival | October 8-15

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On March 18, 2021

For eight days each year, Dallas comes together to celebrate film—and filmmakers. Since 2006, the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) has become the place for storytellers and audiences to connect and experience film as a community.

Over the years we’ve contributed more than $1 million in filmmaker awards, hosted more than 1,900 filmmakers, and screened over 2,200 films from more than 50 countries.

SUBMIT YOUR FILM FOR DIFF 2021

Festival Dates: October 8 – 15, 2021

We’re always looking for unique voices. This year DIFF will screen 200+ films making us the largest film festival in Texas! Dallas is also the 4th largest media market in the country, so every film that screens at DIFF reaches a huge, diverse audience and gives filmmakers a powerful platform to launch their films.

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DIFF / Film

Filmmakers Get Going! DIFF Regular Submission Deadline is Tomorrow

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On March 2, 2021

The 15th annual Dallas International Film Festival will screen the best narrative and documentary features and short films from all over the world, June 25th-July 2nd 2021.

Submit Now

A 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film provides leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.

The 15th annual Dallas International Film Festival hosted by Dallas Film, doesn’t just screen films; we showcase and celebrate all types of content. The interaction between story tellers, audiences and the Texas community is what we strive to develop both during the festival and throughout the year.

DIFF2021 is a global adventure that boasts premiere screenings, nightly red carpets, daring documentaries, eye-opening short films, exciting television content, AR/VR, environmental film-making, nightly parties, live music performances, filmmaker panels, award presentations, and an enhanced filmmaker hospitality program that includes city tours and a VIP Filmmakers Lounge where filmmakers, celebrities and our audience can all come together to discuss film.

New this year will be a focus on family films, films featuring stories involving people with disabilities, Veterans and sports based content.

It’s a brave new world out there and The Dallas International Film Festival is adapting to the fluid visual appetites of our audience. DIFF 2021 will screen films; traditionally in-theater, outdoors and online.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas! Well, this year will be our biggest DIFF ever and the largest film festival in Texas! We will screen 200+ films and host filmmakers from around the globe.

We invite you to add your voice to the conversation. At DIFF, filmmakers are invited to the festival to participate in a variety of programs, Q&A sessions and a series of panel discussions. Dallas area high schools and universities host master classes where filmmakers have the opportunity to discuss their work and careers with a new generation of content creators.

2021 DIFF PROGRAMMING STRANDS:

Narrative Feature Competition
Documentary Feature Competition
Short Film Competition
Texas Competition
Animated Short Competition
Premiere Screenings
World Cinema
LatinX Cinema Showcase
Deep Ellum Sounds (Music Films)
Family Films
Faith Based Films
Midnight Specials
Environmental Films
Films featuring Persons with Disabilities
GAME ON(sport films)
Episodic TV/web series
Veteran Films
Special Presentations

Filmmakers of selected films are invited to the Festival to participate in a variety of programs. Question and answer sessions after screenings are well attended and lively and a series of panel discussions are held throughout the eight days of the Festival.

Awards & Prizes
NEW THIS YEAR EVERY FILM THAT WINS AN AWARD WILL RECEIVE A CASH OR IN-KIND PRIZE!

Grand Jury Prizes are awarded to competition films in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Shorts, and Animated Shorts. A Grand Jury Prize will also be awarded to the best Student Film within the Shorts Competition.

The Grand Jury Prize winner of the Texas Competition category will enjoy a camera rental package worth $30,000 for their next production, courtesy of Panavision.

A $1000 cash prize will be presented by the Dallas County Historical Commission for the feature or short that best represents a historical event.

A $500 cash prize for best Animated Short Film

Audience awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and Best Short will also be presented.

An award and cash prize will also be presented to the film that best displays the issues that people with disabilities face..

The Silver Heart Award- bestowed on an individual or film for their dedication to fighting injustices and/or creating social change for the improvement of humanity.

Rules & Terms
COVID-19: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, certain projects may
be eligible to be exhibited at the 2021 Dallas International Film Festival (the “Festival”) if the project:
1) premiered online as a part of a limited festival screening
2) was not exhibited as scheduled due to another festival’s cancellation.

The Dallas Film Society, Inc. (“DIFF”) values the health and safety of all the Festival’s participants, audience members, staff, and volunteers, especially
in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To protect these individuals, as well as comply with any applicable governmental health and safety orders or guidelines.

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Film

Dallas Film Offers up Virtual Screening of the Acclaimed MINARI | Get Tickets

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On February 22, 2021

In conjunction with their theater partners, A24 has launched a virtual cinema platform to supplement Minari’s limited theatrical release.

Tickets now on sale.

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DIFF / Film

The Dallas International Film Festival, Powered by Capital One, Announced Winners for the 2020 Fall Screenplay Awards: Elements of Story

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On February 3, 2021

The Screenplay Awards, presented by Event Horizon Films, recognizes writers who specialize on an individual writing element. Each script was reviewed by working industry professionals at top rep agencies (ICM Partners, A3 Artists Agency, Gersh, etc.) and graded based on strength of characterization, dialogue, theme, concept and engagement. Through this annual fall event, filmmakers are able to seamlessly identify the best potential writers for their special projects with specific needs.

You may find the full list of winners here and below: https://www.eventhorizonfilms.com/diff-screenplay-awards-winners

PAGE TURNER

Winner: “Homestead” by Bernhard Pucher

Finalists:

“Room Zero” by Jason Partridge
“Liberty” by Chris Lawing
“Las Texans” by Matthew Siena
“Guardian” by Jess Gupta
“Bloodletters” by Tom Sime

—————————————————————————————

DIALOGUE

Winner: “Rat’s Tale” by Jon Savage

Finalists:

“Out of my Comfort Zone” by Ivy Vale
“Jakayla” by J. Gabriel Ware
“I am the Wolf” by Adam Groff
“Evil Faces” by C.J. Doukakis
“Children of an Elder God” by Kevin Thomas-Brett

—————————————————————————————

THEME

Winner: “A No Fly Zone” by John Helms

Finalists:

“White Hall Forever” by Michael Beard
“The Fellowship” by Rick Brooks
“Soul to Squeeze” by Alex Arabian
“Queens of Clarendon” by Chantal Eyong
“Corporal Captain Junior” by Peter Ricq

—————————————————————————————

CONCEPT

Winner: “The Blind Sea” by Dave Paterson

Finalists:

“Rooms of Experience” by Steffany Sommers
“Miserable People” by Jeff Hindenach
“Lonely Animals” by David Barraza
“Anita Taco” by J.T. O’Neal (US)
“An Angel Whispers” by Jeremy Storey

—————————————————————————————

CHARACTERIZATION

Winner: “Edith Rodriquez” by South Side Girls

Finalists:

“White Hall Forever” by Michael Beard
“Repair the Carrows” by Johnny Cruz
“Playground” by Michaela Silberstein
“Miserable People” by Jeff Hindenach
“Children of an Elder God” by Kevin Thomas-Brett

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Film

Dallas Film Treats Us to Early Access Screening of HERSELF

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On January 5, 2021

We are starting the week off with a special treat!

We’ve partnered up with Amazon to give some of our movie lovers an early look at their latest Amazon Original Feature Film, HERSELF.

Virtual Seats are limited, so if you are interested be sure to book your spot at the link below.

HERSELF / Virtual Screening
Date: Wednesday, January 6
Time: 7:00pm CT

RSVP

Code: qtYvA34989

Synopsis
Single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, only to find herself trapped in temporary accommodation. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides her with plans and is offered land by Peggy (Harriet Walter), a woman she cleans for. Aido (Conleth Hill), a building contractor, appears willing to help, too. But as her past rears its head in the form of Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson), her possessive ex, and as bureaucrats fight back against her independent spirit, will Sandra be able to rebuild her life from the ground up?

Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd Written by Clare Dunne & Malcolm Campbell
Starring: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill, Ian Lloyd Anderson, Ruby Rose O’Hara & Molly McCann
Rated: R
Runtime: 97 minutes

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DIFF / Film

Submit Now for the Dallas International Film Festival 2021

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On December 27, 2020

The 15th annual Dallas International Film Festival will screen the best narrative and documentary features and short films from all over the world, June 25th-July 2nd 2021.

A 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film provides leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.

New this year will be a focus on family films, films featuring stories involving people with disabilities, Veterans and sports based content.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas! Well, this year will be our biggest DIFF ever and the largest film festival in Texas! We will screen 200+ films and host filmmakers from around the globe.

2021 DIFF PROGRAMMING STRANDS:

Awards & Prizes
NEW THIS YEAR EVERY FILM THAT WINS AN AWARD WILL RECEIVE A CASH OR IN-KIND PRIZE!

The Grand Jury Prize winner of the Texas Competition category will enjoy a camera rental package worth $30,000 for their next production, courtesy of Panavision.

A $1000 cash prize will be presented by the Dallas County Historical Commission for the feature or short that best represents a historical event.

A $500 cash prize for best Animated Short Film

Audience awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and Best Short will also be presented.

An award and cash prize will also be presented to the film that best displays the issues that people with disabilities face..

The Silver Heart Award- bestowed on an individual or film for their dedication to fighting injustices and/or creating social change for the improvement of humanity.

The Dallas Film Society, Inc. (“DIFF”) values the health and safety of all the Festival’s
participants, audience members, staff, and volunteers, especially
in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To protect these individuals, as well as comply with any applicable governmental health and safety orders or guidelines.

DIFF reserves, at any time and in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, after having accepted films to be exhibited at the Festival to..
(1) cancel the Festival; (2) institute health and safety rules applicable to all individuals participating in the Festival, such as theater- or event-capacity limits and face-covering requirements; and (3) revise the dates, location, and format of the Festival, including moving the Festival entirely online. DIFF will not, in the event it takes any of the foregoing actions, refund any payments or fees paid to DIFF prior such time. In addition, by submitting your project to be exhibited at the Festival, you agree that DIFF
will not have any liability to you for any claims, actions, costs, liabilities, judgments, obligations, losses, penalties, expenses or damages of whatsoever kind or nature incurred in connection with, relating to, or arising out of, COVID-19. DIFF will attempt to communicate any such changes to the Festival applicants, participants, and audience members in a timely manner via our website and/or direct communication with filmmakers.

Premiere status is taken into consideration for every submission in each category strand with priority given to Dallas/Ft Worth Premieres, Southwest Premieres, US Premieres, North American Premieres, and World Premieres.

In order for feature films to be considered for competition, a Dallas/Fort Worth Premiere is required.

Films must not have had major theatrical release or US broadcast airing prior to the festival.

Feature Films must not be commercially available prior to June 25th, 2021. However we will consider these films for Special Presentations.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.

If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide a digital press kit which includes: head-shot and filmography of director, color and/or B&W stills from the film, screeners for press, and a video trailer (cleared for broadcast). You will also be required to deliver a 30-60 second that can be used by DIFF and our DIFF marketing partners to help promote your film at the festival.

DVD/Bluray screeners will not be accepted for consideration.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered, submissions must be complete by the corresponding submission deadline.

Any films submitted without a paid entry fee by the given deadline will be disqualified from the submission screening process.

All film entries selected for the festival grant DIFF the rights to use footage, stills, titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.

All filmmakers will be notified by (approximately) May 20th 2021 via email.

Submit

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Dallas Film / Film

DIFF Virtual Cinema Showing Boys State August 12th | RSVP Now!

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On August 10, 2020

The sensational winner of the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival is a wildly entertaining and continually revealing immersion into a week-long annual program in which a thousand Texas high school seniors gather for an elaborate mock exercise: building their own state government.

Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine closely track the escalating tensions that arise within a particularly riveting gubernatorial race, training their cameras on unforgettable teenagers like Ben, a Reagan-loving arch-conservative who brims with confidence despite personal setbacks, and Steven, a progressive-minded child of Mexican immigrants who stands by his convictions amidst the sea of red. In the process, they have created a complex portrait of contemporary American masculinity, as well as a microcosm of our often dispiriting national political divisions that nevertheless manages to plant seeds of hope. An Apple and A24 release.

Please RSVP for your screening link HERE.

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AdChat DFW / Film

DIFF Drive-in Movies Are ON! First Come, First Park | June 24th

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On June 22, 2020

THE GOONIES at the DIFF Summer Drive-in presented by Samsung:

This is a special 35th Anniversary screening. THE GOONIES originally released in theaters on June 7, 1985.
Written and produced by Stephen Spielberg. Is there another reason?
Also written by Chris Columbus who has written, directed or produced HARRY POTTER, GREMLINS, HOME ALONE, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM and so many more great movies.
Directed by Richard Donner who directed or produced SUPERMAN, LETHAL WEAPON, THE LOST BOYS, FREE WILLY, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, X-MAN and the list goes on.
A great cast including Josh Brolin, Sean Astin and Joey Pantoliano.
Watch the trailer here.
Drive-ins are the place to be right now. A great place to kick-off the summer, relax and see a classic movie.LOCATION:
Four Corners Brewery
1311 S. Ervay Street Dallas, TX

GATES OPEN at 6:30 pm
SHOWTIME at 7:30 pm
SUGGESTED DONATION of $20/car

No reservations required – first come, first park.

For more information visit our Facebook Event Page.

DIFF Summer Drive-in Series Know Before You Go:

o  Volunteers will direct parking.

o  We request that everyone stay in their car or in the bed of their truck to respect social distancing.

o  No chairs, blankets or tents allowed outside of vehicles.

o  No balls, frisbees or parking lot games permitted at this time.

o  Outside food is permitted. Food trucks and vendors will not be onsite at this screening.

o  Alcohol is not allowed.

INSTAGRAM – @WeAreDallasFilm

FACEBOOK – @WeAreDallasFilm

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DIFF / Film

Heads UP! DIFF Drive-In Scheduled Tomorrow is Postponed

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On June 2, 2020

The DIFF Drive-in scheduled for Wed, 6/3 has been postponed. We believe movies bring people together, build bonds and create empathy, however we recognize the need to postpone this event. We look forward to sharing great stories with the Dallas community when the timing is more appropriate. We have a full summer of drive-in programming, the perfect location and generous sponsors, so we are going to pause at this moment but will return to the big screen soon.

Goonies
Jaws
Raiders of the Lost Ark

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Older Posts

Dallas International Film Festival

DIFF High School Filmmakers: Film Submission Are Open!

New Dates for Dallas International Film Festival | October 8-15

SUBMIT YOUR FILM FOR DIFF 2021

Filmmakers Get Going! DIFF Regular Submission Deadline is Tomorrow

Submit Now

Dallas Film Offers up Virtual Screening of the Acclaimed MINARI | Get Tickets

The Dallas International Film Festival, Powered by Capital One, Announced Winners for the 2020 Fall Screenplay Awards: Elements of Story

Dallas Film Treats Us to Early Access Screening of HERSELF

Submit Now for the Dallas International Film Festival 2021

DIFF Virtual Cinema Showing Boys State August 12th | RSVP Now!

DIFF Drive-in Movies Are ON! First Come, First Park | June 24th

Heads UP! DIFF Drive-In Scheduled Tomorrow is Postponed

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