Dallas International Film Festival

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Dallas International Film Festival

Through curation of the broadest range of expression through film, the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) is the region’s most powerfully inclusive and equitable platform for diverse, emerging and underrepresented voices. Since its founding, DIFF has screened more than 2,500 widely diverse new films from 50 countries, provided more than $1.1 million in awards and hosted more than 100,000 filmgoers and filmmakers. The Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) is the signature program of our organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established as Dallas Film Society, Inc. in 2006 by people who believe passionately in the magic of film. We exist to celebrate films and their impact on society, honor filmmakers and recognize their contribution enhancing both the creative community and the city of Dallas, provide leadership in film education, and celebrate excellence in the art of film. Through a variety of year-round screenings, educational programs, community partnerships, and festivals, we raise awareness of the world’s most approachable and inclusive art form. More information is available at www.dallasfilm.org. INSTAGRAM - @WeAreDIFFDallas, FACEBOOK - @WeAreDIFFDallas

Dallas International Film Festival / Film

Dallas International Film Festival Announces Grand Jury Prizes and Audience Awards

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On May 10, 2023

DIFF 2023 has announced the Grand Jury Prizes and Audience Awards for its 17^th Festival, which wrapped May 5 and included screenings of more than 100 films submitted from over 60 countries. Jurors included Ashton Campbell, Liz Cardenas, Giovannie Cruz, Chris Dowling, Anne Fleitas, Chris Gardner, David Gil, Josh Hurtado, Korey Miller, Christian Vasquez, and Justina Walford. Winners included:

Grand Jury Prizes

Best Texas Feature – INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Special Jury Prize for Diversity in Casting and Excellent Cinematography – MATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Best Documentary Feature – BAD PRESS

Special Jury Prize for Storytelling – THE ETERNAL MEMORY

Best Narrative Feature – STORY AVE

Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Performance – Rosy McEwen, BLUE JEAN

Dallas County Historical Commission Prize for Best Historical Film – BREAKING THE CODE

Best Texas Short Film – GREEN WATER

Best Documentary Short Film – REALLY GOOD FRIENDS

Best Short – I HAVE NO TEARS, AND I MUST CRY

Best Animated Short Film – TODAY, I WILL BE THE BREAD

Best Student Film within the Shorts Competition – PICTURE DAY

Special Jury Prize for Short – OUR MALES AND FEMALES

Audience Awards

Best Narrative Feature – CHOCOLATE LIZARDS

Best Documentary Feature – INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Best International Feature – SIMÓN

Best Short – OUR MALES AND FEMALES

Best High School Short (Lake Highlands High School) – ELEVATOR

“We were honored to participate in the winner selection process, during which we deliberated for hours,” said jury member Chris Gardner. “These were all amazing films and it was an honor to be involved in this year’s incredible Dallas International Film Festival.”

DIFF 2023 was held April 28-May 5, 2023. The 2023 Dallas International Film Festival was cited by Travel + Leisure magazine in naming Dallas among the “12 Best Places to Travel in April 2023”. The festival was also cited by MovieMaker magazine in naming Dallas among the “Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker 2023”.

Sponsors for DIFF 2023 included: AdChat DFW, Akin, BestofGuide.com, Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown, Capital One, Commerce House, Consulate General of Canada, Dallas County Historical Commission, Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, Dallas Sports Commission, DJ Astronaut, Event Horizon Films, Favorite Brands, Fort Worth Film Commission, Four Corners Brewing Co., Glyph Studios, H-E-B, IdeaMan Studios, Mercury One, Nicole Kwon, Nowadays Orange Productions LLC, Oliver Wyman, Om Films/The Niraj Bhatia Foundation, Panavision, Pegasus Media Project, Presbyterian Village North, SAG-AFTRA, SAGindie, Selig Polyscope Company, ShotDeck, Texas Film Gear, The Event Nerd, The Preston of the Park Cities, Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, Univision, Vestals Catering, Violet Crown Cinema Dallas, Virgin Hotels Dallas, and West Village. It was held at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village at 3699 McKinney Avenue.

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Dallas International Film Festival / Film

Dallas International Film Festival Releases Full Schedule | Get Tickets Now!

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On April 12, 2023

Tickets on Sale for April 28 – May 5, 2023 at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village Uptown

DIFF 2023 has released the full schedule and list of films for the 17^th Dallas International Film Festival, April 28 – May 5, 2023, at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village Uptown at dallasfilm.org. This year’s Festival includes powerful films from both established and emerging artists in a wide range of styles with screenings of more than 100 films submitted from more than 60 countries, as well as Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, nightly DIFF Red Carpets, a Festival Lounge, and special events.

“Festivalgoers can start making their movie plans, including the opportunity to see several films that will be world premiering with us here in Dallas,” said James Faust, DIFF Artistic Director. “DIFF gives some of the earliest and rarest opportunities to see several films on the big screen that amplify important stories and unheard voices – films that, in many cases, will be personally introduced by and discussed with the filmmakers in attendance.”

Get Tickets

The line-up of feature films for DIFF 2023 includes:

AFGHAN DREAMERS (Documentary) Members of an all-girl robotics team from Afghanistan struggle to succeed in international competitions while combating their male-dominated culture and the threat of Taliban rule.

BAD CITY (Action) Kensuke Sonomura directs the legendary Hitoshi Ozawa in this ultimate V-Cinema actioner from Well Go USA Entertainment. Kaiko City is plagued with poverty and crime when a corrupt businessman decides to run for mayor and starts eliminating opponents from the rival mafia. A former police captain serving time for murder is secretly released and put in charge of a special task force to arrest him.

BAD PRESS (Documentary) Angel Ellis, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, fights alongside her free press Myskoke Media reporters for government transparency and access to information. Highlighting Ellis’ advocacy for ethical coverage of Indigenous topics and communities, it highlights how her fight to expose government corruption has ramifications across her tribal boundaries in Oklahoma and beyond.

BIRTH/REBIRTH (Horror/Drama) A single mother and a childless morgue technician are bound together by their relationship to a little girl they have reanimated from the dead.

BLACKBERRY (Drama) The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone. Two mismatched entrepreneurs – egghead innovator Mike Lazaridis and cut-throat businessman Jim Balsillie – joined forces in an endeavor that was to become a worldwide hit in little more than a decade. The device that one of them invented and the other sold was the BlackBerry, an addictive mobile phone that changed the way the world worked, played and communicated. But just as BlackBerry was rising to new peaks, it also started losing its way through the fog of Smartphone wars, management indecision and outside distractions, eventually leading to the breakdown of one of the most successful ventures in the history of the tech and business worlds.

BLUE JEAN (Drama) In Newcastle, England, in 1988, a time when the conservative government is on the brink of passing legislation that stigmatizes the gay and lesbian population, Jean is a closeted gym teacher who faces a crisis after a new student threatens to reveal her double life. Written by Georgia Oakley, it is also her directorial debut.

BREAKING THE CODE (World Premiere) (Documentary) Legendary Fort Worth artist Vernon Fisher was born to rural Texas farmers in 1943 with a childhood exposure to painting that was only “something you did to houses.” By the 1980s, he was exhibiting alongside Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, establishing himself as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. The film follows Fisher as he continues to create art that challenges social norms and asks important questions about reality.

CHOCOLATE LIZARDS (World Premiere) (Comedy/Adventure) World premiering at DIFF 2023, this is the tale of Erwin Vandeveer, played by Rudy Pankow, who finds himself stranded in Buffalo Gap, Texas, with Merle Luskey, played by Thomas Haden Church. The ensuing adventure pits the pair against the bank, the sheriff, and a corrupt oil company, and also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Bruce Dern. It is based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Cole Thompson.

DEEP RISING (Documentary) The fate of the planet’s last untouched wilderness, the deep ocean, is explored alongside a threat from a secretive organization that is about to allow massive extraction of seabed metals to address the world’s energy crisis.

A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE: HOW THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL HAPPENED (Documentary) Directed by Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, this film is the tale of the ill-fated The Star Wars Holiday Special that aired on CBS the week of Thanksgiving 1978, and was never re-aired, going on to become the franchise’s dark secret. Featuring behind-the-scenes archival footage from Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Anthony Daniels, it also incorporates the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kevin Smith, Seth Green, and the late Gilbert Gottfried. The screening is scheduled for May the Fourth and May the Fourth Eve (May 3). Director Jeremy Coon is a graduate of Berkner High School in Richardson.

THE DOLDRUMS (World Premiere) (Comedy/Drama) A not-coming-of-age and anti-musical filmed in Dallas, the film centers around three characters and how their friendship shifts when the oldest goes off to college. It is a comedy/drama structured in six vignettes marking his biannual visits from college to his hometown and how their lives change, or don’t, despite all three friends growing older.

EISMAYER (Historical Drama) Based on real events, Vice Lieutenant Eismayer is the most feared trainer and model macho in the Austrian Military living as a gay man in secret. When he falls in love with a young, openly gay soldier, his world gets turned upside down.

THE ELDERLY (Horror) An octogenarian named Manuel falls into a state of dementia after the sudden suicide of his wife, sparking a series of paranormal events that will put his family’s lives at risk. Starting as a grounded drama exploring the indignities of old age, THE ELDERLY gradually snaps off one guardrail after another, building to a crescendo of sheer terror with imagery that can never be unseen.

THE ETERNAL MEMORY (Spanish Documentary) Directed by Maite Alberdi, this Chilean film follows the relationship of prominent Chilean journalist Augusto Góngora and actress Paulina “Pauli” Urrutia. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. A couple for 23 years, Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease eight years ago, and Paulina cares for him, helping maintain his identity despite the challenges of his illness.

THE FISHBOWL (Drama) As her cancer spreads, Noelia’s ultimate decision is to return to her native Vieques, Puerto Rico, and claim her freedom to decide her own fate. She reunites with her friends and family who are still dealing with contamination caused by the U.S. Navy after 60 years of military practices.

GIBSON ICONS: REX BROWN OF PANTERA (Documentary) Renowned worldwide, Rex Brown and his Texas brethren forged a blueprint with the DFW-based band Pantera that’s been studied by nearly every hard rock and heavy metal band that has followed. Throughout this intimate look into his musical journey, Rex shares personal stories surrounding his childhood, the bonds built between his band members, and the enduring legacy of Pantera.

GO ON, BE BRAVE (Documentary) The story of Andrea Lytle Peet’s race against time – a diagnosis of ALS and an attempt at the impossible. Peet aims to be the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all 50 states, the film follows her journey as she inspires others to go on, be brave.

INTO THE SPOTLIGHT (World Premiere) (Documentary) A heartfelt story of how a script, a stage, and a theater program composed of adults with disabilities celebrate their creativity, explore life’s complexities, and empower a community, in their own words and their own way. INTO THE SPOTLIGHT is a documentary feature film that follows a Dallas-based theatre troupe, composed of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are determined to write, rehearse, and perform their 11th annual original musical during the 2021-22 season. Only disabled people are interviewed and the only people who answer the questions are the disabled people themselves.

ISRAELISM (Documentary) The role of Israel in American Jewish identity is challenged when two young American Jews join an awakening within the community after they witness Israel’s brutal treatment of the Palestinian people first-hand. Heartbroken and enraged at the older generation of American Jews who raised them to defend the State of Israel at all costs, they join a struggle not just for Palestinian rights but also within the Jewish community.

IT AIN’T OVER (Documentary) The film gives Yogi Berra his due in following the life of the bad-ball hitting catcher and D-Day veteran, loving husband and father, product endorser and originator (mostly) of his own brand of proverbs now ingrained into everyday life.

IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL (Documentary) Directed, produced, and edited by Alexandria Bombach, this is an intimate look into the lives of the Indigo Girls, one of the most iconic American folk-rock bands. Featuring never-before-seen archival and intimate Cinéma verité, the film dives into the songwriting and storytelling of bandmembers Amy Ray and Emily Saliers that helped transform a generation.

JUNE ZERO (Historical Drama) Following the infamous trial of Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the mass extermination of Jews during the Second World War, it depicts the events preceding Eichmann’s execution, and approaches the important and much publicized Nazi criminal through the eyes of three participants in the events. It was both written and directed by Jake Paltrow.

KAREN CARPENTER: STARVING FOR PERFECTION (Documentary) A captivating and unvarnished documentary about Karen Carpenter’s personal struggles as told through never-before-released recordings as well as legendary voices who knew her and were inspired by her music. Highly relevant to today’s audiences, Carpenter’s quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa. Dallas-based AMS Pictures produced the film.

L’IMMENSITÁ (Drama) Clara (Penélope Cruz) and her emotionally distant husband Felice (Vincenzo Amato) relocate to Rome to raise a family. Even though the paint is fresh, and the appliances are new, the crushing expectations around marriage, desire, and gender in the early 1970s remain as traditional as ever. Their children Andrew (played by newcomer Luana Giuliani), Gino, and Diana are likewise poised at a precipice, on the verge of adolescence, with nothing but their imaginations to defuse family tensions. The eldest child, Andrew (nicknamed Adri by his parents), yearns for another life – an outsized, vibrantly-realized vision of a world where he gets to live as the boy he knows himself to be. Without an accepted vocabulary for talking about his transgender identity, Andrew tells adults that he’s an alien from another galaxy and makes a habit of running away to pursue a local Roma girl who accepts his boyhood at face value. As an outsider ostracized for her own eccentricities, Clara instinctively strives to protect her son despite not fully understanding him. An effortlessly moving film about growing up, fitting in, and breaking the mold, L’IMMENSITÁ is as freewheeling and creative as its central characters, mixing genres and staging musical numbers out of thin air.

MATCH ME IF YOU CAN (World Premiere) (Comedy/Romance) When an online matchmaking service rejects her as “unmatchable,” a quick-witted programmer’s rant makes her an internet sensation…and puts her on a romantic collision course with the equally-nerdy man who runs the company that rejected her.

MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES (Documentary) The story of an American jazz musician whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him, this film follows Roach’s seven-decade career through deep personal struggle, showing the price he paid for his outspoken views.

MEDUSA DELUXE (Drama) In this film from A24, a murder mystery is set in a competitive hairdressing competition where extravagance and excess collide, as the death of one of their own sows seeds of division in a community whose passion for hair verges on obsession.

THE MENTAL STATE (World Premiere) (Drama) In the heart of rural Kentucky, a high school senior and his family struggle to cope with the true identity and intentions of a dangerous town shooter.

THE NEW AMERICANS: GAMING A REVOLUTION (Documentary) Directed by Ondi Timoner, the film is a meme-driven journey into the intersection of finance, media, and extremism with the founders of Reddit and WallStreetBets, crypto fanatics, bored housewives, and TikTok-ers turned millionaire traders. The latest film by Timoner (whose LAST FLIGHT HOME, won the DIFF 2022 Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature) looks at the explosive and irreversible ramifications of our digital future.

ONE RANGER (Action) A Texas Ranger (played by Thomas Jane) is recruited by British Intelligence (led by John Malkovich) to track down a dangerous terrorist and stop him from attacking London.

THE ORIGIN OF EVIL (Thriller/Drama) This French and Canadian film directed by Sébastien Marnier focuses on a fish cannery worker on the verge of financial collapse who discovers she is the biological daughter of a wealthy businessman. Attempting to reconnect with his established family, she finds them unwilling to accept her.

PARACHUTE (Romance/Drama) Directed and written by Brittany Snow, the story looks at mental health issues through Ethan and Riley, who both got out of precarious situations on the exact same day – Ethan recently got out of jail for throwing a wine bottle off a balcony, and Riley just got out of rehab for an eating disorder, love addiction and suicide attempt. To Ethan, all of Riley’s flaws are beautiful, and he wants to help her see herself the way he does. Riley adores Ethan and is inspired by his talent and selflessness. The world makes sense when they only take it on together. Doesn’t it?

THE RATIONAL MIDDLE: NET ZERO (Documentary) Rational Middle and Shell partnered to explore the technologies, policies and partnerships required to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to catalyze a conversation that leads to awareness and action and address the global challenge of climate change. The series is directed and produced by Gregory Kallenberg.

REVIVAL69: THE CONCERT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD (Documentary) Young, scrappy concert promoter John Brower puts his life on the line (literally) to turn his failing Toronto Rock n Roll Revival into a one-day event, later coined in rock mythology as “the second most important event in rock n’ roll history.” And it almost didn’t happen. The festival united rock legends and the almost famous, but it was the 11th hour arrival of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band that ignited a truly seminal moment for the 20,000 fans, triggering Lennon’s final decision to leave the Beatles forever.

SAVAGE (World Premiere) (Documentary) World premiering at DIFF 2023 with an inspiring and intimate portal into the world’s most dangerous sport. This comeback story of bull rider Clayton Savage shares the journey of one man’s grit and rugged willpower to achieve the elusive dream of becoming a world champion in a game that is often life…or death.

SHANE (Western) A weary gunfighter in 1880s Wyoming begins to envision a quieter life after befriending a homestead family with a young son who idolizes him, but a smoldering range war forces him to act. This is a Stodghill Classic Movie Night special presentation of the 1953 George Stevens classic starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur and Van Heflin.

SIMÓN (Drama) (Latino Showcase) Barely escaping the clutches of the oppressive Venezuelan dictatorship, freedom fighter Simón must now combat his trauma and guilt as he builds his case for asylum in order to be able to stay in the USA.

SK8 GIRLZ (World Premiere) (Documentary) World premiering at DIFF 2023 with an underdog story, this film documents the rise of an all-female skateboarding team based out of Orange County as they tear down the barriers created by a male-centric sport. It is the second feature film from Sarah Ivy and the second film about women and skateboarding to screen at DIFF.

STEPHEN CURRY: UNDERRATED (Documentary) This coming-of-age story documents Stephen Curry, one of the most influential, dynamic, and unexpected players in basketball history, and his rise from an undersized college player to a four-time NBA champion.

STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE (Documentary) The film chronicles the personal and professional triumphs and travails of actor Michael J. Fox, exploring what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease. With a mix of adventure and romance, comedy and drama, watching the film feels like … well, like a Michael J. Fox movie.

STORY AVE (Drama) South Bronx native Kadir Grayson is a teen artistic talent on the brink of finding and losing himself at once. Blinded by the grief of losing his younger brother, Kadir runs away from home and escapes via the beautifully dark and dangerous world of graffiti. His graf gang “Outside The Lines” consists of street kids with minds as criminal as they are artistic. Desperate to join, Kadir attempts to rob Luis, an older Puerto Rican MTA conductor, on the Story Ave subway platform. Luis offers him the cash he needs if Kadir agrees to have a meal with him, and for the first time in his life, Kadir entertains the possibility of his artistic talent being a conduit to a better life. The film was produced by Texas’ Jamie Foxx.

THE STRANGER (Thriller/Drama) (Panel) When a stranger takes a family hostage in their small-town feed store, the father’s only hope of saving them is to answer the stranger’s solitary demand: “Tell me who I am.” A special presentation of DIFF’s education series, INSIDE FILM, the screening of the short film will be followed by a panel with Om Films founder Niraj Bhatia and co-founder Dan Burks, “The Art of Film Financing: Insights from an Executive Producer”.

TO KILL A TIGER (Documentary) On the night of a family wedding in Jharkand, India, Ranjit fears the worst after waking up to find his daughter is not home. Dragged into the woods, she was gang-raped by three men, and the village solution is to marry her to one of them, which Ranjit refuses. Instead, he challenges the status quo, determined to get justice for his daughter.

WE WILL SPEAK (Documentary) The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity, yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas have forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a State of Emergency for the language in 2019. This feature-length documentary was shot on-location in Oklahoma and North Carolina throughout 2019-2022; and through intimate interviews, vérité footage of community gatherings, and extensive archival materials, explores the nuanced ways the Cherokee language is vital to maintaining a unique cultural identity and relationship with the world.

THE WILD MAN (Drama) Shot on locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this film has Ryan Justice following a young journalist who travels to Ochopee, Florida, with friends to investigate young women that have been going missing. Their search follows the town’s notorious conspiracy theorist into the swamps on his quest to show them “The Wild Man” as their discoveries take a dark and sinister turn.

Films featured in the DIFF 2023 Shorts Competition include:

THE APPRAISAL

ATM

BABA

BABY PROOF

BELLYBUTTON

THE BUYERS

CAN’T LET YOU GO

THE COCOON

DEATH AND RAMEN

EID MUBARAK

FETCH!

FOREST OF HOPE

THE FOUNDRY

FUCK ME, RICHARD

FUNNY FACE

GREEN WATER

GREY HORSE

HANGMAN

HOW DO WE LEAVE

HOW TO MAKE A GHOST

HOW TO MEAL PREP DURING A FAMINE

I HAVE NO TEARS, AND I MUST CRY

JEROME

LA COSECHA

LǍO LAO LǍO LE

MEN OF SALT

META CARE

MOTHERLAND

THE OLD YOUNG CROW

OUR MALES AND FEMALES

PEACH BOTTOM

PICTURE DAY

PLANTA DE LOS DIOSES

RADIO TELESCOPE

REALLY GOOD FRIENDS

SHARE FOR ME

SLEEP STUDY

STARVING

THE STRANGER

SUPERMARKET AFFAIRS

THAT’S OUR TIME

TODAY, I WILL BE THE BREAD

TOMATO KITCHEN

THE WAKE

WHISPER

WILD ONES

THE WORD

WÜM

X TO X

Films featured in the DIFF 2023 High School Shorts Competition include:

2023

AFTER HOURS

ANIMATING AUTISM – THE DANE PARSONS STORY

ARENA CREW

THE BALLAND OF JIMP BIBBLER

BREAKING THE MIRROR

CHARMING LITTLE WOODEN CHAIR

ELEVATOR

IF NOT ME, THEN WHO?

IN RETURN

THE LIFE OF A CHILD STAR

ON REPEAT

REDO

THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

SHADOWED

SOLUM

TOUGH NAMES

DIFF 2023 will be held April 28-May 5, 2023. The 2023 Dallas International Film Festival was cited by Travel + Leisure magazine in naming Dallas among the “12 Best Places to Travel in April 2023”. The festival was also cited by MovieMaker magazine in naming Dallas among the “Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker 2023”.

Sponsors as of April 10, 2023, include: AdChat DFW, Akin, BestofGuide.com, Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown, Capital One, Commerce House, Consulate General of Canada, Dallas County Historical Commission, Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, Dallas Sports Commission, Favorite Brands, Fort Worth Film Commission, Four Corners Brewing Co., H-E-B, Mercury One, Nicole Kwon, Nowadays Orange Productions LLC, Oliver Wyman, Panavision, Presbyterian Village North, SAG-AFTRA, SAGindie, Selig Polyscope Company, ShotDeck, Texas Film Gear, The Event Nerd, The Preston of the Park Cities, Vestals Catering, Violet Crown Cinema Dallas, Virgin Hotels Dallas, Visit Tulsa, and West Village.

Host theater for DIFF 2023 is Violet Crown Cinema in West Village at 3699 McKinney Avenue. Located in the center of the dynamic Dallas neighborhood known as Uptown, West Village is a walkable shopping, dining, residential and entertainment district with direct access to the DART Rail, the Historic McKinney Avenue Trolley and the Katy Trail.

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DIFF / Film

DIFF Announces the First 17 Films of Its 17th Festival | Virgin Hotels Dallas is Premier Sponsor

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On March 30, 2023

Event is April 28 – May 5, 2023 at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village Uptown

DIFF 2023 has announced the first 17 films of the 17^th Dallas International Film Festival at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village Uptown with Virgin Hotels Dallas as the Premier Sponsor. The films run the gamut from documentaries and dramas to thrillers and comedies, and preview the 2023 Festival, which will feature screenings of more than 100 films submitted from more than 60 countries, as well as Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, nightly DIFF Red Carpets, a Festival Lounge, and special events.

“These films are just a glimpse of the powerful stories we’re honored to present at DIFF 2023,” said James Faust, DIFF Artistic Director. “Highlighting important and untold stories that have been explored by talented filmmakers, our first 17 of our 17^th should whet the appetite of local film lovers who we hope will join us at Violet Crown Cinema Dallas in West Village for Dallas’ biggest film experience.”

The major partnership with Virgin Hotels Dallas is a first for DIFF. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Dallas International Film Festival,” says Michael Bridges, General Manager. “Virgin Hotels Dallas is rooted in the arts and culture. I couldn’t think of a better organization to support in the Dallas community.”

The first announced films for DIFF 2023 include:

A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE: HOW THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL HAPPENED (Documentary), directed by Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, is the tale of the ill-fated The Star Wars Holiday Special that aired on CBS the week of Thanksgiving in 1978, and was never re-aired, going on to become the franchise’s dark secret. Featuring behind-the-scenes archival footage from Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Anthony Daniels, it also incorporates the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kevin Smith, Seth Green, and the late Gilbert Gottfried. The screening is scheduled for May the Fourth. Director Jeremy Coon is a graduate of Berkner High School in Richardson.

BAD PRESS (Documentary) showcases how Angel Ellis, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, fights alongside her free press Myskoke Media reporters for government transparency and access to information. Highlighting Ellis’ advocacy for ethical coverage of Indigenous topics and communities, it highlights how her fight to expose government corruption has ramifications across her tribal boundaries.

BLUE JEAN (Drama) takes place in Newcastle, England, in 1988 at a time when the conservative government is on the brink of passing legislation that stigmatizes the gay and lesbian population. Jean is a closeted gym teacher who faces a crisis after a new student threatens to reveal her double life. Written by Georgia Oakley, it is also her directorial debut.

BREAKING THE CODE (Documentary) is the story of legendary Fort Worth artist Vernon Fisher. Born to rural Texas farmers in 1943, Vernon Fisher’s childhood exposure to painting was only as “something you did to houses.” By the 1980s, he was exhibiting alongside Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, establishing himself as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. Breaking the Code follows Fisher as he continues to create art that challenges social norms and asks important questions about the nature of reality.

CHOCOLATE LIZARDS (WORLD PREMIERE) will world premiere at DIFF 2023 with a comedy/adventure about Erwin Vandeveer, played by Rudy Pankow, who finds himself stranded in Buffalo Gap, Texas, with Merle Luskey, played by Thomas Haden Church. The ensuing adventure pits the pair against the bank, the sheriff, and a corrupt oil company, and also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Bruce Dern. It is based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Cole Thompson.

INTO THE SPOTLIGHT (Documentary) will world premiere with a heartfelt story of how a script, a stage, and a theater program composed of adults with disabilities celebrate their creativity, explore life’s complexities, and empower a community, in their own words and their own way. This documentary feature film follows a Dallas-based theatre troupe, composed of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are determined to write, rehearse, and perform their 11th annual original musical during the 2021-22 season.

IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL (Documentary) is an intimate look into the lives of the Indigo Girls, one of the most iconic American folk-rock bands. Featuring never-before-seen archival and intimate Cinéma verité, the film dives into the songwriting and storytelling of bandmembers Amy Ray and Emily Saliers that helped transform a generation. It was directed, produced, and edited by Alexandria Bombach.

KAREN CARPENTER: STARVING FOR PERFECTION (Documentary) is a captivating and unvarnished documentary about Karen Carpenter’s personal struggles told through never-before-released recordings as well as the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music. Highly relevant to today’s audiences, Carpenter’s quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa. Dallas-based AMS Pictures produced the film.

MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES (Documentary) is the story of an American jazz musician whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him. The film follows Roach’s seven-decade career through deep personal struggle, showing the price he paid for his outspoken views.

SAVAGE (Documentary) will world premiere with an inspiring and intimate portal into the world’s most dangerous sport through the journey of one man’s grit and rugged willpower to achieve the elusive dream of becoming a world champion in a game that is often life . . . or death. The documentary is the comeback story of bull rider Clayton Savage.

SK8 GIRLZ (Documentary) will world premiere with an underdog story that documents the rise of an all-female skateboarding team based out of Orange County as they tear down the barriers created by a male-centric sport. It is the second feature film from Sarah Ivy and the second film about women and skateboarding to screen at DIFF.

THE DOLDRUMS wild world premiere with a not-coming-of-age and anti-musical filmed in Dallas. Centering around three characters and how their friendship shifts when the oldest goes off to college, it is a comedy/drama structured in six vignettes marking his biannual visits to his hometown and how their lives change, or don’t, despite all three friends growing older.

THE ETERNAL MEMORY (Spanish Documentary) is a Chilean film directed by Maite Alberdi that follows the relationship of prominent Chilean journalist Augusto Góngora and actress Paulina “Pauli” Urrutia. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. A couple for 23 years, Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease eight years ago, and Paulina cares for him, helping maintain his identity despite the challenges of his illness.

THE NEW AMERICANS: GAMING A REVOLUTION (Documentary) is a meme-driven journey into the intersection of finance, media, and extremism with the founders of Reddit and WallStreetBets, crypto fanatics, bored housewives, and TikTok-ers turned millionaire traders. Directed by Ondi Timoner, whose film, LAST FLIGHT HOME, won the DIFF 2023 Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature, it looks at the explosive and irreversible ramifications of our digital future.

THE ORIGIN OF EVIL (Thriller/Drama) is a French and Canadian film directed by Sébastien Marnier about a fish cannery worker on the verge of financial collapse who discovers she is the biological daughter of a wealthy businessman. Attempting to reconnect with his established family, she finds them unwilling to accept her.

THE WILD MAN (Drama) from Ryan Justice follows a young journalist who travels to Ochopee, Florida, with friends to investigate young women that have been going missing. Their search follows the town’s notorious conspiracy theorist into the swamps on his quest to show them “The Wild Man” as their discoveries take a dark and sinister turn. The film was shot on locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“We love Festival season, and sharing what festival goers can expect as they begin planning their viewing experience,” added Beth Wilbins, DIFF CEO. “James Faust is once again curating a festival for the ages. We’re proud to champion wide and thoughtful expression through film in the hope we build human connection and foster greater appreciation for our common humanity and our rich diversity. We are so pleased to welcome Virgin Hotels Dallas as our Premier Sponsor. They’re bringing a level of energy and excitement we know will add to the DIFF experience for filmmakers and festivalgoers.”

Sponsors as of March 28 include: AdChat DFW, Akin, BestofGuide.com, Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown, Capital One, Commerce House, Consulate General of Canada, Dallas County Historical Commission, Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, Dallas Sports Commission, Favorite Brands, Fort Worth Film Commission, Four Corners Brewing Co., H-E-B, Mercury One, Nicole Kwon, Nowadays Orange Productions LLC, Oliver Wyman, Panavision, SAG-AFTRA, Selig Polyscope Company, The Event Nerd, The Preston of the Park Cities, Violet Crown Cinema Dallas, Virgin Hotels Dallas, and West Village.

Located in the center of the dynamic neighborhood known as Uptown, West Village is a walkable shopping, dining, residential and entertainment district with direct access to the DART Rail, the Historic McKinney Avenue Trolley and the Katy Trail.

About Virgin Hotels Dallas

Virgin Hotels Dallas is the second property from Virgin Hotels – the lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service, straightforward value and a seamless, personalized hotel experience with the track record of innovation and smart disruption that Sir Richard Branson’s global Virgin Group has pioneered for 50 years. The property intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture that fuses with the local landscape, providing an inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. Located in the Dallas Design District on 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd, the hotel features 260 Chambers (rooms) and two Penthouse Suites. Dining and drinking outlets include Commons Club the brand’s flagship restaurant and bar, Funny Library Coffee Shop and The Pool Club. Reservations accepted and can be made directly on the hotel’s website, www.virginhotels.com/dallas or by calling 469.359.7003.

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Dallas Film / Film

Dallas International Film Festival Announces Return to West Village @ Violet Crown Cinema, April 28 – May 5, 2023

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On February 21, 2023

Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) today announced its return to West Village Uptown with Violet Crown Cinema as the host theater for DIFF 2023, April 28 – May 5, 2023. The venue is familiar territory for the Festival, said DIFF officials in making the announcement.

“We are excited to announce the all-new Violet Crown Cinema as our host theater for DIFF 2023,” said James Faust, DIFF Artistic Director, “and the return of the Festival to West Village in Uptown feels like a homecoming after a four-year absence. We know that fans of DIFF who enjoyed seeing films as DIFF festivalgoers at the former Magnolia Theater will be thrilled to experience Violet Crown Dallas. Our vision is to activate all of West Village and Uptown to create a Film Festival Village for the eight days of DIFF.”

DIFF 2023 will feature screenings of more than 100 films from nearly 30 countries, as well as Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, nightly DIFF Red Carpets, a Festival Lounge, and special events throughout the film festival.

“We returned to West Village in Uptown last December to the same location where I built my first movie theater 20 years ago,” said Bill Banowsky, founder of Violet Crown and Magnolia Pictures, the original owner of The Magnolia Theater. “It’s an honor to also return to a tradition of hosting DIFF in the heart of Uptown, bringing a range of programming for everyone, especially those seeking the thrill of the premiere, the chance to meet filmmakers, and to celebrate the joy that is modern cinema.”

Grand Jury Prizes for DIFF 2023 will be awarded for Best Texas Short Film, Best Texas Feature, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Student Film within the Shorts Competition. Additionally, Audience Awards will be given for Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, and Best Short Film. There will also be a Dallas County Historical Commission Prize for Best Historical Film. Other film categories and tracks will include: World Films, Environment/Sustainability, Latino Films, Family Films, Indigenous Films, LGBTQIA+, Music, Persons with Disabilities, Sports, and Midnight Films, among others.

Last fall, DIFF presented its first full, in-person festival since 2019, with screenings at six diverse venues across Dallas. “Bringing DIFF back to West Village – and back to its traditional spring timeframe – is major for us,” added Beth Wilbins, DIFF CEO. “It’s a perfect showcase for over a week packed with inclusive, immersive, accessible, educational, and entertaining film experiences. DIFF attendees are in for a treat with richly diverse voices in the films our programming team is curating from hundreds of submissions.”

“We are thrilled to welcome DIFF back to West Village this spring at the new Violet Crown Cinema,” said Caroline Maestri, Marketing Director for McLemmon Group, management company for West Village. “We look forward to partnering with DIFF to create a Film Festival Village that engages our community and sparks inspiring conversations through the art of film.”

Sponsors as of February 20 include: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, BestofGuide.com, Canopy by Hilton, Capital One, Commerce House, Dallas County Historical Commission, Dallas Film & Creative Industries Office, Favorite Brands, Four Corners Brewing Co., Mercury One, Nowadays Orange Productions LLC, Oliver Wyman, Panavision, Selig Polyscope Company, The Event Nerd, The Preston of the Park Cities, Violet Crown Cinema, Virgin Hotels Dallas, and West Village.

Dallas Film exists to celebrate films and their impact on society, honor filmmakers and recognize their contribution enhancing both the creative community and the city of Dallas, provide leadership in film education, and celebrate excellence in the art of film. Through a variety of screenings, educational programs, and festivals, Dallas Film raises awareness of the world’s most approachable and inclusive art form. More information is available at www.dallasfilm.org.

INSTAGRAM – @WeAreDIFFDallas

FACEBOOK – @DIFFDallas

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Dallas Film Society / Film

DIFF Screenplay Competition Enlists High Profile Filmmakers

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On February 9, 2023

Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Torfoot Studios and Event Horizon Films revealed today an all-star judge lineup for the 2023 screenplay competition to support emerging writers and showcase Dallas’ strong film community.

Oscar-winner Brenda Chapman developed scores of iconic family animations and was the first woman to direct an animated feature for a major Hollywood studio. Executive producer Jessica Sharzer was a three-time, Primetime Emmy nominee for FX’s American Horror Story. Two-time Emmy-nominated Kelsey Scott played Anne Northup in the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave. Screenwriter Thomas Dean Donnelly topped the Box Office with Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey. Award-winning Writer-Director Johnathan Brownlee recently announced The Will Rogers Story. Bestselling author Harry Hunsicker is rounding the film festival circuit with (*)hit Squad, a Script to Screen winner, and Dallas Film’s James Faust has served on juries and panels all over the world.

Each judge will leverage their combined industry experiences to select the top screenplays, teleplays and short scripts that were submitted HERE to the Dallas International Film Festival. Winning screenwriters are exposed to high-profile industry experts and receive a variety of prizes and networking opportunities. Award-winning filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee will produce and direct the short script winner, and screen it across the film festivals circuit.

Johnathan Brownlee is an award-winning director, producer, writer and actor, best known for Three Days In August, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, Decoding Annie Parker, and Johnathan Brownlee’s AtHome. Brownlee’s feature films, episodic and digital content have been viewed in more than 100 countries in 14 languages and honored with 32 Telly Awards. Brownlee’s Torfoot Studios is currently in devilment and production of the features Montserrat, Eyes of Jefferson, Brewmaster: In the Beginning, The Kira Wahlstrom Story, Hallmark’s An Island Light and the recently announced limited series about the life of American icon, Will Rogers. He recently served as CEO and president of the nonprofit Dallas Film, where he produced the internationally recognized Dallas International Film Festival and was responsible for co-creating the Veterans Institute for Film & Media (VIFM), a training program for military veterans. Brownlee earned a Master of Fine Arts at Brandeis University. He received his bachelor’s from Hofstra University and studied film at New York University.

Brenda Chapman is co-creator of ’Twas Entertainment and an Oscar-winning animation film director, writer and story artist. With more than 30 years of experience working on the most iconic family animations, she was the first woman to direct an animated feature for a major Hollywood studio. Best known for creating, writing and directing Pixar’s Brave, she was the first woman to win an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. While at Pixar Animation Studios, she was also a senior story artist on Cars, and contributed to Ratatouille, Up and WALL-E. Before that, Chapman helped launch DreamWorks Animation Studios in 1994, where she contributed to Chicken Run, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas and Shrek, as well as co-directed the Oscar-winning Prince of Egypt with Simon Wells and Steve Hickner. Chapman started her career as a story artist at Walt Disney Feature Animation, contributing to The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, the Oscar-nominated Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fantasia 2000. Chapman was also the story supervisor on the original The Lion King, for which she won the Annie Award for Best Individual Achievement for Story Contribution in the Field of Animation.

Thomas Dean Donnelly is a veteran screenwriter and script consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the film industry. He has worked on franchises from Voltron to Uncharted to Marvel’s Doctor Strange to The Walking Dead. Over the last decade, Donnelly’s been working continuously as a screenwriter for FOX 2000, Warner Brothers, Universal, Columbia, Paramount, Miramax and MGM. His action-adventure script, Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz, William H. Macy and Delroy Lindo was released by Paramount and opened No. 1 at the Box Office in North America, as well as hundreds of foreign territories, with a hundred million dollars grosses worldwide. Donnelly was also the writer, creator and executive producer of Thoughtcrimes, a 2-hour pilot for the USA Network. He wrote Conan the Barbarian for Lionsgate, starring Jason Momoa, and wrote A Sound of Thunder for Warner Brothers, based on a famous Ray Bradbury short story, starring Edward Burns, Catherine McCormack and Ben Kingsley. Donnelly started his career as an editor working on the 1994 Emmy Awards, the 66th Academy Awards and several pilots for new TV series. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California in the Production Program of the Cinema School, and received his Bachelor of English for Film Vassar College.

James Faust is the artistic director for the Dallas Film Society and the Dallas International Film Festival. He has served on juries and panels all over the world, speaking about film festival management, programming and marketing. Faust began his film career as a grip on Armageddon and Walker Texas Ranger. After working his way up to being a commercial producer, Faust started a local production company for which he won a local Emmy. In 2006, he began as DIFF’s senior programmer, when Dallas Film was still called AFI DALLAS. That position followed programming roles with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, The Austin Film Festival and Texas Black Film Festival. Faust received telecommunication and theatre degrees at Texas Tech University, which he followed up with a degree in Cinema Studies at Southern Methodist University.

Harry Hunsicker is a creative writing teacher, the bestselling author of eight crime thrillers and creator of numerous short stories. The winner of the 2022 Script to Screen Competition, his crime comedy, (*)hit Squad, directed by award-winning filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee, was produced by Torfoot Films, Event Horizon Films and IdeaMan Studios with legal partners, Litwin Law Group, PLLC, and The Law Office of LaToya L. Blakely. The short film has screened at Dallas Noir Fest, Dallas International Film Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, Twin Falls Film Festival, Chandler Film Festival and was selected for many others.

Kelsey Scott is a two-time Emmy nominated actress, producer and screenwriter, best known for her role as Anne Northup in the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave and her two-season arc as Wes Gibbins’ mother, Rose, on How to Get Away With Murder. Her guest star role on Giants earned her a 2019 Daytime Emmy nomination, and in 2017 she received a Primetime Emmy nomination for her leading role on Fear the Walking Dead: Passage. Additional acting credits include, Better Call Saul, Insecure, NCIS, True Detective, and the CW’s Dynasty reboot, among 40 other roles. Scott’s screenwriting career began with the Sony Pictures thrillers, Motives, and she subsequently penned the film’s sequel. Scott spearheaded the screenwriting curriculum at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif, and continues to write commissioned scripts, in addition to shepherding her slate of original projects. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Florida State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University.

Jessica Sharzer is a three-time, Primetime Emmy nominated producer, writer and director. She has developed feature films for Universal, HBO, MTV, 20th Century FOX, FOX 2000, Sony, Lionsgate, Netflix and Paramount. Her produced features included Nerve (2015) and A Simple Favor (2018). Her sequel, A Simple Favor 2, is slated for production in October 2023 with Amazon. Also in the works, an adaptation of The Girls I’ve Been for Millie Bobby Brown at Netflix. Other recent projects included remakes of Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief for Paramount and The Hunger for Warner Brothers. Meanwhile, Sharzer has developed a range of drama pilots for CBS, FOX, MTV, APPLE and ABC networks. She was co-executive producer on FX’s American Horror Story, FOX’s Star, APPLE’s Amazing Stories and Hulu’s Perfect Strangers. She is currently adapting James Patterson’s bestselling series, Women’s Murder Club, along with Carol Mendelsohn for Amazon. As a director, she made her feature debut with Speak (2004), which premiered at Sundance and was nominated for Writers Guild and Directors Guild awards. Sharzer holds masters degrees from New York University and UC Berkeley, and is an adjunct professor of screenwriting and script analysis at University of Southern California.

The DIFF 2023 screenplay competition, presented annually by Event Horizon Films, offers writers the opportunity to submit scripts for feature films, television pilots and short films, which are reviewed by readers at top talent agencies and management companies in the industry. The finalist judges nominate the winners in each category.

DIFF runs April 28, 2023 to May 5, 2023. DIFF and Event Horizon Films are accepting screenplay entries HERE, now through midnight on June 18, 2023. The short script category, which provides a produced film to the winner, closes midnight on April 7.

Short script submissions must be 10 pages or under and set in a single, indoor location. Short script winners will be revealed at the festival. Additional competition winners will be announced in the summer 2023.

For more information on the Dallas International Film Festival, visit dallasfilm.org or contact info@dallasfilm.org. Information can also be found on: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Details on the screenplay competition are available at eventhorizonfilms.com

About Dallas Film

The Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) is the signature program of Dallas Film (www.dallasfilm.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established as Dallas Film Society in 2006 by people who believe passionately in the magic of film. Through curation of the broadest range of expression through film, DIFF is the region’s most powerfully inclusive and equitable platform for diverse, emerging and underrepresented voices. Since its founding, DIFF has screened more than 2,000 widely diverse new films from 50 countries, provided more than $1.1 million in awards and hosted nearly 100,000 filmgoers and filmmakers. #WeAreDallasFilm

About Torfoot Studios

Torfoot Studios is an award-winning film, television and digital content production company founded in 2010 with offices in Canada and the US. Veteran filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee serves as President and CEO. Brownlee is Canadian/American director, producer, writer and actor. Torfoot’s work has been viewed in more than 100 countries in multiple languages and was recently honored with 32 Telly Awards. Torfoot has a variety of content in development and production. For information, visit torfoot.com.

About Event Horizon Films

Event Horizon Films (www.eventhorizonfilms.com) is an online network of experienced film professionals established to help screenwriters improve stories, increase exposure and understand the business of Hollywood. From screenplay competitions and analysis services to industry exposure and production deals, Event Horizon Films is committed to encouraging writers to keep writing.

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Dallas Film / Film

Dallas International Film Festival Announces Third Annual Screenwriting Competition

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On December 19, 2022

Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Torfoot Studios and Event Horizon Films announced today details for their 2023 screenplay competition to support emerging writers and encourage more Dallas film productions.

Among the competition prizes, award-winning filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee will produce and direct the winning short script in Dallas and screen it across the film festivals circuit. Brownlee is best known for Three Days In August, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, Decoding Annie Parker, and Johnathan Brownlee’s AtHome. In 2022, he directed the competition’s wining short script, (*)hit Squad, which was an official selection at Dallas Noir Fest, Dallas International Film Festival, ATX Short Film Showcase, Twin Falls Film Festival, Chandler Film Festival and selected for many others.

“I had a wonderful experience with the contest,” said Hairy Hunsicker, a finalists judge and the 2022 short script winner. “Working with Event Horizon Films and Torfoot Studios was amazing, a dream come true.”

Additional producing partners for (*)hit Squad included, Torfoot Studios, Event Horizon Films and IdeaMan Studios with legal partners Litwin Law Group, PLLC, and The Law Office of LaToya L. Blakely.

The DIFF 2023 screenplay competition, presented annually by Event Horizon Films, offers writers the opportunity to submit scripts for feature films, television pilots and short films, which are judged by readers at top talent agencies and management companies in the industry. Winning screenwriters are exposed to high-profile industry experts and receive a variety of prizes, including celebrity shoutouts, networking opportunities and a produced film.

“So much great talent goes unseen for a craft that is incredibly vital to the filmmaking process,” said James Faust, DIFF’s artistic director. “A produced script is the end game for screenwriters and we are thrilled for the opportunity to help bring this vision to screen.”

DIFF and Event Horizon Films are accepting screenplay entries HERE, now through midnight on June 18, 2023. The short script category closes midnight on April 7. Short script submissions must be 10 pages or under and set in a single, indoor location.

DIFF runs April 28, 2023 to May 4, 2023. Short script winners will be revealed at the festival. Additional competition winners will be announced in the summer.

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Film

Dallas International Film Festival Announces Full Lineup for 16th Anniversary Run

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On September 27, 2022

Dallas Film has announced the full lineup for the 16^th Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), running Oct. 14 through 20 at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars and various other Dallas landmarks.

Nearly 80 short and feature length films curated for local audiences will be shown at Festival headquarters, including four world premieres, as well as special events in partnership with the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Texas Theatre, the South Dallas Cultural Center, and 4DWN Skate Park. DIFF 2022 films fall under the categories: DTV, Deep Ellum Sounds, Documentary Competition, Frame of Mind, Galas, Game On, Latino Showcase, Midnight Specials, Narrative Feature Competition, Premiere Series, Shorts Competition, Special Presentation, Texas Competition, Women in Film, and World Cinema.

James Faust, Artistic Director for the Dallas International Film Festival, said, “This year’s lineup has an incredible array of powerful stories that touch on a little bit of everything, from war veterans and dementia to Native American activism, and three, count them, three movies with a trumpet in a starring role. DIFF 2022 will give Dallas cinephiles a first chance to see films that will be on everyone’s list come awards season, and some they might not otherwise have the chance to ever see on the big screen.

“Our local film audiences have a passion for the diverse art that filmmakers produce,” Faust continued, “which is why we ensure our programming includes a spectrum that can appeal to the most discerning cinephile to the casual weekend viewer. We hope to help viewers of any type discover some new treasures debuting here, in Dallas.”

Feature-length films that are premiering or screening during DIFF 2022 (those marked with an asterisk have filmmakers scheduled to attend) are:

A LOT OF NOTHING (Comedy/Drama Thriller) shows an upper middle class married couple find their lives spiraling out of control when they decide to take justice into their own hands and seek retribution against their neighbor.

* A CASE FOR KINDNESS (Documentary), for which director, Steven Sawalich, who had the first film in AFI Dallas 2007, will return to DIFF. This film strives to understand the true nature of kindness. Carefully threading the themes of bullying, hate, mental health, racial injustice, food insecurity, and climate change, it builds the case to inspire us to understand the need for and benefits of adopting kindness. It features Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Norman Lear.

* A RUN FOR MORE (Documentary) tells of Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe, who goes on a personal journey and questions her relationship to her community as she runs for city council in San Antonio, attempting to become the first elected openly transgender official in Texas.

* ACIDMAN (Drama/Sci-Fi) stars Dianna Agron as Maggie and Thomas Haden Church as her reclusive father. After a decade apart, the two awkwardly try to get to know one another against the backdrop of his obsession with UFOs and communicating with extraterrestrial beings.

AFTER SUN (Drama) shows lead character Sophie reflecting on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between miniDV footage as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t.

* ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY (Documentary) is a nostalgic and colorful peek behind the pages and personalities of International Male, one of the most ubiquitous and sought-after mail-order catalogs of the 80s and 90s.

ALL THAT BREATHES (Documentary) takes place against the darkening backdrop of New Delhi’s apocalyptic air and escalating violence as two brothers devote their lives to protecting one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the black kite.

ARMAGEDDON TIME (Drama) from acclaimed filmmaker James Gray is a deeply personal tale on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship, and the generational pursuit of the American Dream. The film features an all-star cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, and Jeremy Strong.

BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND (Drama) is set in 1987 as other students wonder if new kid Robin is a boy or a girl, who then forges a complicated bond with the school bully, making increasingly dangerous choices to fit in.

BIRTHDAY BOY (Drama) has Jimmy celebrating his 45th birthday at a beach house, where he has invited his close circle of friends to a weekend full of fun, excess, and concessions. Everything is interrupted by Jimmy’s confession of wanting to end his life before the party is over.

CALL JANE (Drama/Comedy) stars Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver in this story of a married woman with an unwanted pregnancy who lives at a time in America when she cannot get a legal abortion, and then works with a group of suburban women to find help.

CORSAGE (Historical Drama) is a fictional account of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, idolized for her beauty and renowned for inspiring fashion trends, who celebrates her 40th birthday and must fight to maintain her public image by lacing her corset tighter and tighter.

* FENOM (Documentary) follows rising star and school senior Flau’Jae Johnson, a Georgia native who has become one of the nation’s top basketball recruits and is also a rapper under Jay Z’s label, living out her late father’s dream. FENOM follows her journey through her senior year fulfilling both of her destinies, and was executive produced by WNBA legend Sue Bird in association with TOGETHXR.

FINDING SATOSHI (Documentary) has a group of passionate puzzle players trying without success to answer the question, “Who is this man?” with only a photograph and a name. The playful documentary finally solves the 14-year-old mystery, and features Dallas native Laura E. Hall.

* FRAME OF MIND (Documentary), KERA’s acclaimed television program hosted by Dallas film legend Bart Weiss, will screen its best independent film and video from Texas-based filmmakers, including FLESH AND BONE, THE BARBER OF MAYDELLE, BIRDS, ZAPATERIA, EL FANTASMA, and NUT CRACKER.

* GREENER PASTURES (Documentary) will have its world premiere with an urgent and intimate look at American farming, told through the stories of farmers living at the intersection of climate change, globalization, and a mental health crisis. Capturing the day-to-day lives of four small, multigenerational family farms over three years, it is a story of perseverance, patience, and determination that tackles the future of farming in America.

* Executive produced by local legend herself, Erykah Badu, HARGROVE (Documentary) tells the up-close story of Jazz trumpet legend Roy Hargrove, deemed by his peers as a musical prophet. Following him on an award-winning tour from Los Angeles to Marseille in what would be the last year of his life, the film features interviews and live performances inclusive of musical icons Badu, Herbie Hancock, Mos Def, Robert Glasper, Wynton Marsalis, and Sonny Rollins. Hargrove attended Booker T. Washington High School, which will host the screening on his birthday, Oct. 16.

* IMAGINING THE INDIAN (Documentary) highlights the fight against Native American mascoting, examining the use of Native American slurs, names, logos, images, and gestures that many Native Americans and their allies find offensive. The film investigates caricatures like Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians and gestures like the Atlanta Braves’ “tomahawk chop” with commentary from ESPN commentator Kevin Blackstone.

* JUNETEENTH: FAITH & FREEDOM (Documentary) tells the story of a Black American troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the misuse of Christianity to justify it. He travels throughout Texas discovering how Juneteenth reveals faith and a fight for freedom in an unjust society.

* LA UVA (Documentary) will world premiere with the tale of Rolando Herrera, the Ceja Family and Bulmaro Montes, all Latino winemakers in Napa Valley. The film follows them on the long and winding road from humble beginnings in Mexico, to the most prestigious settings, wine bars and even The White House.

LAST FLIGHT HOME (Documentary) is an intimate portrait of Eli Timoner, a dedicated husband, father, and entrepreneur who founded the airline Air Florida in the 1970s and who ultimately decides to medically terminate his life.

* LET US DIE (Documentary) will world premiere with the incredible story of an antique desk that contained a collection of old German letters from World War II hidden inside a secret compartment. Years later, the owner, Dallas resident Tim Mallad, had the letters translated to discover they explained how, in the final days of the war, thousands of innocent German families took their own lives in fear of what the conquering Soviets would do to them.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BLACK & BLUES (Documentary) is an intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations. This definitive documentary honors Armstrong’s legacy as a founding father of jazz, one of the first internationally known and beloved stars, and a cultural ambassador of the United States.

* MVP (Drama) takes place on the streets of Hollywood where a recently retired NFL player is saved from scandal by a homeless veteran. With their “glory days” behind them, the two men bond in search of purpose and identity. Actor and director Nate Boyer will attend the special screening at the historic Texas Theatre.

PROJECT WOLF HUNTING (Action/Thriller) depicts a floating hell with no escape with a cargo ship transporting the most vicious prisoners overseas, 1630 miles from Manila to Busan.

* In RETROGRADE (Documentary) from Academy Award-winning director Matthew Heineman, he tells the story of the last months of the 20-year war in Afghanistan through the intimate relationship between American Green Berets and the Afghan officers they trained.

RETURN TO SEOUL (Drama) has Freddie returning to her birthplace, South Korea, on an impulse to reconnect with her origins before being adopted and raised in France. The headstrong young woman starts looking for her biological parents in a country she knows little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

* ROLL WITH IT (Comedy) is the story of a small-town Biscuit Barrel waitress forced to enter the Cheatham County Fair Karaoke Showdown as a last resort to save her house from foreclosure. Star of the film Chonda Pierce, the popular comedian known as “The Queen of Clean”, and other members of the cast will attend.

* ROPE (Crime/Drama/Mystery) is the Hitchcock classic where two men attempt to prove they committed the perfect crime by hosting a dinner party after strangling their former classmate to death. The film will show as part of Stodghill Movie Night, a DIFF tradition of celebrating the classics.

RUBY’S CHOICE (Comedy) stars two-time Golden Globe Winner Jane Seymour as Ruby in a poignant tale that follows three generations of strong women. Secrets from the past are revealed as the family must make a big decision while Ruby’s illness threatens to push them apart.

* RUN LOLA RUN (Action/Thriller) is the cult classic depicting Lola receiving a call from her boyfriend Manni. After losing money in a subway train, she has 20 minutes to raise the amount and meet Manni. Three different alternatives may happen depending on some minor event along Lola’s run. The screening is in celebration of the 30^th anniversary of Sony Pictures Classics’ excellence in filmmaking.

* SHOUTING DOWN MIDNIGHT (Documentary) is both a cautionary tale and rallying cry, recounting how the Wendy Davis filibuster of 2013 galvanized a new generation of activists, revealing what is at stake in the struggle for reproductive freedom.

* SIGN THE SHOW: DEAF CULTURE, ACCESS AND ENTERTAINMENT (Documentary) provides insight into Deaf culture and the quest for access to entertainment, bringing together entertainers, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community. American Sign Language interpreters discuss accessibility at live performances in a humorous, heartfelt, and insightful way.

SKATE DREAMS (Documentary) follows the rise of women’s skateboarding, profiling a group of women whose pursuit of self-expression, equality, and freedom have created an international movement. Directed by Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Jessica Edwards, the story spans the trailblazing pioneers of the 1980s and the next generation of Olympic contenders. A special screening of the film will be hosted at the 4DWN Skate Park.

* SONG FOR HOPE (Documentary) will debut at a special screening in collaboration with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and CancerBlows at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on Oct. 19 at 7:30 pm. Directed by Chris Haigh, the film portrays the incredible story of trumpet virtuoso Ryan Anthony after he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 42 and given just months to live. For many, this would be a crushing blow, but for Ryan, it motivated him to start CancerBlows and show the world that music can save lives. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A moderated by James Faust featuring the filmmakers and members of the Anthony family – Niki, Jackson, and Rowan.

SUBJECT (Documentary) focuses on the ethics and responsibility inherent in documentary filmmaking by examining well-known documentaries of the past decade and revealing the impact their commercial success has had on the lives of the onscreen subjects.

* TAKE PAINS, BE PERFECT (Documentary) explores the profound transformational impact of Shakespeare at Winedale, a program created in 1970 by University of Texas professor James “Doc” Ayres. Through multiple generations of program alumni interviewed in the film, audiences will discover the powerful connection between creative learning and the development of social and emotional skills.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Comedy/Drama) stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship with alarming consequences for both.

THE INSPECTION (Drama) tells the story of Ellis French, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, who decides to join the Marines and do whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside.

THE LOST KING (Drama), co-written by and starring Steve Coogan, relates how an amateur historian defies the academic establishment to find King Richard III’s remains, which were lost for over 500 years.

* THE SMELL OF MONEY (Documentary) asks what price we pay for the world’s pork. Directed by Dallas film director, Shawn Bannon, and executive produced by Kate Mara and David Lowery, it offers a look at North Carolina residents who take on one of the world’s most powerful companies in a fight for their rights to clean air, pure water, and a life free from the stench of pig feces.

THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER (Documentary) celebrates the trailblazing, hell-raising country music legend Tanya Tucker, who defied the standards of how a woman in country music was supposed to behave. Decades after Tanya slipped from the spotlight, rising Americana music star Brandi Carlile takes it upon herself to write an entire album for her hero based on Tanya’s extraordinary life, spurring the greatest comeback in country music history.

* THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY (Drama) launches a grieving young woman on a solitary road trip through the American Midwest after an unexpected invitation. Tana, played by Lily Gladstone, struggles to reconcile the losses of her past with the dreams of her future on her journey, with a portion filmed in Dallas.

UNTIL THE END OF TIME (Drama) finds Patricio breaking up with his wife, unable to see his daughter, financially broke. The possibility of rebuilding his life, a new love, recovering his family, and a nuclear threat are intertwined in an unexpected ending.

Shorts being featured at DIFF 2022 include:

#BLACKATSMU

ALWAYS TOGETHER

BARTER

A BRIEF AND PASSING THING

DALLAS LOWRIDERS – A FAMILY LEGACY

A DIRE STRAIT

DOLLAR GENERALS

DON’T YOU GO NOWHERE

DOWN HOME

THE EVENT

EXIT

FOUL

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS

LAST DAYS OF AUGUST

MOTHER FUCKER

MY SUMMER VACATION

MY YEAR OF DICKS

NINETY-FIVE SENSES

THE SIGHT OF BLUE

(S)HIT SQUAD

SILT

SPINNER

THE STRANGER

TOUCH THE EARTH

WALKER

Tickets for the 2022 Dallas International Film Festival are available along with sponsorship information at dallasfilm.org. Festival sponsors as of Sept. 26 include: (LEADERSHIP Sponsors) Capital One, Mercury One; (PROGRAMMING Sponsor) EarthX Film; (SCREENING Sponsors) Fort Worth Film Commission, Presbyterian Village North; (SUPPORTING Sponsors) BakerHostetler, Visit Dallas; and (SPONSORS) Consulate General of Canada in Dallas, SAG-AFTRA. Dallas Film SUSTAINING Sponsors include ABCO, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars, Commerce House, Four Corners Brewing Company, and The Preston of the Park Cities.

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DIFF 2022 Announces the First 16 Films Its 16th Anniversary | October 14-20th

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On September 16, 2022

Dallas Film has announced the first 16 films for the 16th Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Oct. 14 through 20 at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars and various other Dallas landmarks. Special screenings and events will also be held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Texas Theatre, the South Dallas Cultural Center, and 4DWN Skate Park.

“This is a proper return to our full festival with more than 80 films from every genre for North Texas moviegoers,” said Scott Eustace, Chairman of the Board of Dallas Film. “As he has since the inception of DIFF, our amazing artistic director James Faust has curated a powerful line-up of films and screenings that not only celebrate the artform and artists, but also the Metroplex and Texas.”

James Faust, Artistic Director for the Dallas International Film Festival, added, “Our local film audiences have a passion for the diverse art that filmmakers produce, which is why we ensure our programming includes a spectrum that can appeal to the most discerning cinephile to the casual weekend viewer. We hope to help viewers of any type discover some new treasures debuting here, in Dallas.”

The first 16 special screenings and premieres at this year’s festival in alphabetical order include:

A CASE FOR KINDNESS (Documentary), for which director, Steven Sawalich, who had the first film in AFI Dallas 2007, will return to DIFF. This film strives to understand the true nature of kindness. Carefully threading the themes of bullying, hate, mental health, racial injustice, food insecurity, and climate change, it builds the case to inspire us to understand the need for and benefits of adopting kindness. It features Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Norman Lear.

ACIDMAN (Drama/Sci-Fi) stars Dianna Agron as Maggie and Thomas Haden Church as her reclusive father. After a decade apart, the two awkwardly try to get to know one another against the backdrop of his obsession with UFOs and communicating with extraterrestrial beings.

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY (Documentary) is a nostalgic and colorful peek behind the pages and personalities of International Male, one of the most ubiquitous and sought-after mail-order catalogs of the 80s and 90s.

ARMAGEDDON TIME (Drama) from acclaimed filmmaker James Gray is a deeply personal tale on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship, and the generational pursuit of the American Dream. The film features an all-star cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, and Jeremy Strong.

CALL JANE (Drama/Comedy) stars Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver in this story of a married woman with an unwanted pregnancy who lives at a time in America when she cannot get a legal abortion, and then works with a group of suburban women to find help.

FENOM (Documentary) follows rising star and school senior Flau’Jae Johnson, a Georgia native who has become one of the nation’s top basketball recruits and is also a rapper under Jay Z’s label, living out her late father’s dream. FENOM follows her journey through her senior year fulfilling both of her destinies, and was executive produced by WNBA legend Sue Bird in association with TOGETHXR.

GREENER PASTURES (Documentary) will have its world premiere with an urgent and intimate look at American farming, told through the stories of farmers living at the intersection of climate change, globalization, and a mental health crisis. Capturing the day-to-day lives of four small, multigenerational family farms over three years, it is a story of perseverance, patience, and determination that tackles the future of farming in America.

Executive produced by local legend herself, Erykah Badu, HARGROVE (Documentary) tells the up-close story of Jazz trumpet legend Roy Hargrove, deemed by his peers as a musical prophet. Following him on an award-winning tour from Los Angeles to Marseille in what would be the last year of his life, the film features interviews and live performances inclusive of musical icons Badu, Herbie Hancock, Mos Def, Robert Glasper, Wynton Marsalis, and Sonny Rollins. Hargrove attended Booker T. Washington High School, which will host the screening on his birthday, Oct. 16.

IMAGINING THE INDIAN (Documentary) highlights the fight against Native American mascoting, examining the use of Native American slurs, names, logos, images, and gestures that many Native

Americans and their allies find offensive. The film investigates caricatures like Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians and gestures like the Atlanta Braves’ “tomahawk chop” with commentary from ESPN commentator Kevin Blackstone.

MVP (Drama) takes place on the streets of Hollywood where a recently retired NFL player is saved from scandal by a homeless veteran. With their “glory days” behind them, the two men bond in search of purpose and identity. Actor and director Nate Boyer will attend the special screening at the historic Texas Theatre.

In RETROGRADE (Documentary) from Academy Award-winning director Matthew Heineman, he tells the story of the last months of the 20-year war in Afghanistan through the intimate relationship between American Green Berets and the Afghan officers they trained.

ROLL WITH IT (Comedy) is the story of a small town Biscuit Barrel waitress forced to enter the Cheatham County Fair Karaoke Showdown as a last resort to save her house from foreclosure. Star of the film Chonda Pierce, the popular comedian known as “The Queen of Clean”, will attend the world premiere.

SKATE DREAMS (Documentary) follows the rise of women’s skateboarding, profiling a group of women whose pursuit of self-expression, equality, and freedom have created an international movement. Directed by Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Jessica Edwards, the story spans the trailblazing pioneers of the 1980s and the next generation of Olympic contenders. A special screening of the film will be hosted at the 4DWN Skatepark.

SONG FOR HOPE (Documentary) will debut at a special screening in collaboration with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and CancerBows at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on Oct. 19 at 7:30 pm. Directed by Chris Haigh, the film portrays the incredible story of trumpet virtuoso Ryan Anthony after he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 42 and given just months to live. For many, this would be a crushing blow, but for Ryan, it motivated him to start CancerBlows and show the world that music can save lives. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A moderated by Faust featuring the filmmakers and members of the Anthony family – Niki, Jackson, and Rowan.

THE SMELL OF MONEY (Documentary) asks what price we pay for the world’s pork. Directed by Dallas’ most successful film director, Shawn Bannon, and executive produced by Kate Mara and David Lowery, it offers a look at North Carolina residents who take on one of the world’s most powerful companies in a fight for their rights to clean air, pure water, and a life free from the stench of pig feces.

THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY (Drama) launches a grieving young woman on a solitary road trip through the American Midwest after an unexpected invitation. Tana, played by Lily Gladstone, struggles to reconcile the losses of her past with the dreams of her future on her journey, with a portion filmed in Dallas.

“As we celebrate 16 years of bringing film to our community at a profound level, we are honored to have a role in sharing the art of these powerful real and imagined stories,” said Beth Wilbins, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Film. “We are grateful to the sponsors who are furthering our mission of celebrating films and their impact on society, recognizing the impact of filmmakers on enhancing both the creative community as well as the city of Dallas and beyond.”

Tickets for the 2022 Dallas International Film Festival go on sale Sept. 21, and are available along with sponsorship information at dallasfilm.org. Festival sponsors as of Sept. 14 include: (LEADERSHIP Sponsors) Capital One, Mercury One; (PROGRAMMING Sponsor) EarthX Film; (SCREENING Sponsors) Fort Worth Film Commission, Presbyterian Village North; (SUPPORTING Sponsors) Baker Hostetler, Visit Dallas; and (SPONSORS) Consulate General of Canada in Dallas, SAG-AFTRA. Dallas Film SUSTAINING Sponsors include ABCO, Commerce House, Four Corners Brewing Company, and The Preston of the Park Cities.

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Facebook – @WeAreDallasFilm

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The Dallas International Film Festival Introduces Spring Preview Weekend April 29 to May 1

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On April 21, 2022

Dallas Film has announced dates for its first Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) Spring Preview Weekend, April 29 to May 1, featuring both film premieres and film festival favorites at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Cedars. The DIFF Spring Preview sets the stage for the full Dallas International Film Festival this fall, giving fans a first feel for programming at the broader festival.

“We’re excited to give movie lovers a reason to get out to the theater, especially with how we’ve all changed our viewing habits over the last three years,” said Scott Eustace, Chairman of the Dallas Film Board of Directors. “This is a precursor to our full celebration of film this fall when we’ll get to share art North Texans might not otherwise be exposed to, and to do so with illuminating context and participation from the filmmakers themselves. It’s the popcorn, it’s the people, and it’s the perfect complement – great programming.”

The Spring Preview Opening Night Film will be Apple Original Films’ CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH (Dramatic Comedy), written and directed by Dallas native Cooper Raiff, on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The audience winner at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, it was produced by and stars Dakota Johnson alongside Raiff, Leslie Mann, and Brad Garrett. It tells the story of a young man fresh out of college who begins working as a party starter on the local bar/bat mitzvah circuit, where he strikes up a unique friendship with a young mother and her teenage daughter. Raiff’s first film was scheduled to debut at DIFF 2020. Other films that will be featured for the DIFF Spring Preview include:

HAPPENING (Drama), an IFC film that won the grand jury prize at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and releases in early May. An adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s eponymous novel directed by Audrey Diwan, it looks back on her experience with abortion when it was still illegal in France in the 1960s.

JAZZ FEST: A NEW ORLEANS STORY (Documentary), a Sony Pictures Classics release directed by Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern, was a hit at SXSW. The film captures the signature annual music and cultural event called America’s greatest festival in all of its beauty and glory, delving into the deep and rich culture of The Big Easy with Jimmy Buffett, Gary Clark Jr., Al Green, Tom Jones, Katy Perry, Pitbull, Aaron Neville, and Bruce Springsteen, among others.

CORSICANA (Western), a Texas shot and produced film directed by Isaiah Washington and set in Corsicana, an hour south of Dallas in Navarro County. The film tells the story of Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves reuniting with a former partner turned fugitive, and an ex-Union sharpshooter. The trio are in a race against time as they track a vicious outlaw gang of killers to the oil-rich Texas town. It stars Washington alongside Noel Gugliemi, Stacey Dash, Kevin Gage, and Major Dodge Lew Temple.

BAD AXE (Documentary), an IFC film directed by David Siev, is a real-time portrait of 2020 as it unfolded for an Asian-American family in Trump’s rural America. It shows the family’s fight to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Killing Fields.

“The Spring Preview films run the gamut of genres from independent filmmakers, some of them Dallas’ own,” added James Faust, Artistic Director of the Dallas International Film Festival. “The artistic process involved in creating a compelling film event is rewarding as we go beyond the box office to understand and explore the artistic process poured into each film. It’s going to be a moving movie weekend.”

Tickets for individual film screenings for the 2022 DIFF Spring Preview Weekend are available at dallasfilm.org/spring-preview or the box office at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Cedars. Additionally, film fans can purchase early bird DIFF Star Passes at a special price during the Spring Preview. Information about sponsoring or submitting films for the Dallas International Film Festival this fall is also available at dallasfilm.org.

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About Dallas Film
Dallas Film (www.dallasfilm.org), established as Dallas Film Society in 2006, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to celebrate the past, present and future of film in our community. The organization provides leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television, and digital media. Through a variety of screenings, educational programs, and festivals, Dallas Film raises awareness of the world’s most approachable and inclusive art form.

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Dallas Film / Film

Dallas Film Sponsors Screening of Everything Everywhere All at Once

Dallas International Film Festival Posted On April 4, 2022

April 6th 7:30pm
Alamo Drafthouse – Lake Highlands
6770 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231

This free screening, sponsored by Dallas Film, requires an RSVP

Directed by: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

Written by: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

Producers: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Mike Larocca, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, and Jonathan Wang

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., with James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis

Synopsis: Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes.

Run Time: 139 minutes

Rated R
RSVP Here

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