March 27, 2023
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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.”

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.

“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.”

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 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.

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 2,000 widely diverse new films from 50 countries, provided more than $1.1 million in awards and hosted more than 100,000 filmgoers and filmmakers. DIFF is the signature program of Dallas Film, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established as Dallas Film Society, Inc. in 2006 by people who believe passionately in the magic of film.

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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Film
DFW Premiere of ‘HI I’M BLAKE’ Documentary Benefits Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
Ariel Herr Posted On January 16, 2023


Cast and filmmakers in attendance to celebrate the miraculous recovery of brain injury survivor, Blake Hyland.

Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD), One Chameleon Entertainment, and Utopia have announced the DFW premiere of HI I’M BLAKE on February 5, 2022, 3pm – 6pm, at the SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center. This feature documentary from an Emmy-nominated filmmaking team inspired the “HI I’M” Documentary Anthology Series for Magnolia Network on Warner Brothers Discovery. The film follows Blake Hyland and his inspirational true story. The screening and Q&A will be free and open to the public to kick off a two-week campaign with 25% of all the film’s proceeds benefiting RMHD. Tickets are available to reserve on a first come, first serve basis, HERE.  Please note, space is limited.

In 2014, Blake Hyland suffered a traumatic brain injury at 14 years old following a gymnastics accident.  Unsure if he would even survive, the doctors were astounded at his recovery.  Although, the lives of Blake and his family were changed forever, his joy and determination would go on to impact countless others. Blake’s family stayed at RMHD for almost one year to be close to Blake as he slowly recovered through intense therapies.

HI I’M BLAKE follows Blake’s journey after the accident. Documenting the platform that Blake built in bringing hope to everyone he meets and the struggles of his family as they wrestle to restore him to his former self. Grapevine, Texas filmmaker Jon Michael Simpson crafted an intimate view into the hardships and successes families face when life suddenly turns on its head and rehabilitation becomes everyday life. Though the road to recovery is not the picture the Hyland family once painted for their lives, it is one that is full of humor, joy, and inspiration for those looking for courage in trials of their own.

HI I’M BLAKE inspires anyone going through adversity and strikes a chord we can all relate to in our own lives when questioning when normalcy will return. It brings awareness to the life-changing impact brain injuries have on families throughout the country. Health professionals describe traumatic brain injuries as “the silent epidemic” due to its widespread reach yet lack of awareness.

“I grew up next door to the Hylands and being able to tell their story has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” said Jon Michael Simpson. “Blake was known as ‘The Mayor of the Ronald McDonald House’, where we filmed regularly, and I can attest that his charisma, humor, and care for others shine through both in life and the film. I was in awe by the incredible care and strong relationships the staff at RMHD built, not only with the Hylands but with every family that came through their door. We are thrilled to partner with them and help shine a light on their great work.”

Jill Cumnock, CEO of RMHD, added, “The Hyland Family spent so long living in the House that we came to love them as family. We were constantly inspired by their resilience and their determination to keep going, keep encouraging, and keep believing in Blake’s recovery and rehabilitation. To be able to offer them a home away from home when they were going through such a hard time meant so much to us all.  The message of this film is incredibly important, and we are honored to be able to share in its premiere.”

Event Timeline:

  • 3pm | Doors
  • 3:30 | Film starts
  • 4:45pm | Q&A with the Hyland Family, Director Jon Michael Simpson, and Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald McDonald House

Venue:
SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center
3140 Dyer Street
Dallas, TX 75205

For more information, please contact Kennedy Robinson at krobinson@rmhdallas.org.

ABOUT HI I’M BLAKE

Synopsis: After a life-altering gymnastics accident leaves Blake Hyland in a coma, his friends and family cling to hope for a miracle. After weeks of waiting, at last his eyes open, and his optimistic family refuses to believe in anything less than a full recovery. HI I’M BLAKE follows the Hylands’ struggle to paint a new picture for their lives. As Blake attempts to reintegrate into society with a traumatic brain injury, it is a mystery if he will ever walk again, gain an education, or return to his former life. Filmed over six years, this inspirational story captures the joy of a boy with profound hope, the sacrificial love of a family, and seeks to answer the question, “When will Blake fully recover?”

View the official trailer HERE.

HI I’M BLAKE is a One Chameleon Entertainment production, produced by Jon Michael Simpson, Jeff McQuitty, Russell Wayne Groves and Lee Rothenflue, with original music by Hanan Townshend and Jeff McQuitty.

This film is available to rent or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon, Altavod and more at HiimBlake.com

ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS

Established in 1981, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 43,000 families of seriously ill children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, please contact Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit www.rmhdallas.org.


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Film
Violet Crown Cinema Sets Opening for December 9th | Tickets for West Village Now Available
Ariel Herr Posted On November 30, 2022


Violet Crown Cinemas is pleased to announce the December 9 grand opening of Violet Crown Dallas as well as its debut film line-up. The cinema’s opening brings movies back to Uptown’s West Village after a complete renovation of the space formerly occupied by The Magnolia Theater.

Each of Violet Crown Dallas’ five auditoriums will feature digital cinema projection, state-of-the-art sound, and luxury reclining seating. Offering traditional cinema concessions, a kitchen serving made-to-order food, and a bar with craft beer, wine, and cocktails, the upscale cinema concept preserves an uninterrupted movie-going experience by not offering wait service inside the auditoriums. However, food and drinks purchased are permitted inside the auditoriums where each chair includes fold-out trays for in-theater dining convenience.

“Our programming will offer something for everyone,” said Bill Banowsky, founder of Violet Crown and Magnolia Pictures, the original owner of The Magnolia Theater. “Mainstream Hollywood movies will play alongside popular art films and a repertory program of family favorites, classics, and critically acclaimed indies.”

Titles playing for Violet Crown’s opening week include:

EMPIRE OF LIGHT (Drama) from director Sam Mendes, who received an Oscar for AMERICAN BEAUTY, is a romantic drama about human connection and the magic of cinema.

WHITE NOISE (Comedy), a film by Noah Baumbach of THE SQUID AND THE WHALE and MARRIAGE STORY fame, is an apocalyptic black comedy starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (Drama) finds filmmaker Martin McDonagh reteaming with Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, who also starred in his films IN BRUGES and THREE BILLBOARDS.

TAR (Drama) from Todd Fields, director of LITTLE CHILDREN, stars Cate Blanchett in a powerful and Oscar-worthy performance.

THE MENU (Thriller) is a charming and entertaining foodie thriller from director Mark Mylod starring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy.

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (Action Adventure) will show for an encore run fresh on the heels of receiving eight nominations for the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards.

The cinema will add to the lineup on Friday, December 16 when it opens AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, James Cameron’s follow-up to his 2009 film, which went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time. Tickets for all films including AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER are on sale now at violetcrown.com.

Violet Crown will complement its regular programming with year-round film screenings in partnership with local film organizations like Dallas Film and 3 Stars Jewish Cinema, which will present its annual Christmas Eve screening at Violet Crown this year.

In keeping with this local community spirit, Violet Crown will also have rotating taps that highlight area breweries and the many styles they offer, including Community Beer Co., Lakewood Brewing Co., Four Corners Brewing Co., Manhattan Project Beer Company, and Deep Ellum Brewing Co., among others. As part of its robust tap program, the cinema will also serve kegged cocktails and craft cider from Trinity Cider.

Violet Crown’s food options will offer traditional theater fare like hot buttered popcorn and candy, expanded with a selection of small plates, gourmet hot dogs, pizzas and salads. Light bites will feature a hot pretzel, house-made Crown Queso, Air Fry Tater Tots, Avocado Spring Rolls and PLT (prosciutto, lettuce, and tomato) Sliders. All beef hot dogs can be enjoyed plain with typical condiments, or upgraded with the Chicago or Swiss Italian treatment, while pizzas, which will also be available with a gluten free crust, run the gamut from plain cheese to Margherita, prosciutto and goat cheese, or hot honey and soppressata. Lighter fare includes a field of greens and Caesar salad, which can both be topped with roasted chicken or field roast vegan Italian sausage.

Free parking for Violet Crown Dallas will be available in the garage at 3699 McKinney Avenue located next to the cinema. This will be Violet Crown’s fourth cinema – it opened its first location in downtown Austin in 2011, and today operates cinemas in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Charlottesville, Virginia.

About Violet Crown

Violet Crown opened its first location in downtown Austin in 2011 with a focus on hospitality and art films, and has since expanded to Santa Fe, Charlottesville, and now Dallas. Violet Crown aims to provide the best cinema experience possible with delicious food and craft cocktails, beer and wine, safe and clean spaces, and courteous staff that facilitate a viewing experience free from disruptions.

Committed to celebrating and preserving the magic of cinema, Violet Crown presents features from across the cinematic spectrum to bring extraordinary films to the screen and to the community. Not simply a business, Violet Crown also provides spaces for public entertainment and to support its neighbors, partnering with local vendors whenever possible. For more information and to sign up for the latest updates, visit www.violetcrown.com.


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Dallas Film  / Film
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.

Instagram – @WeAreDallasFilm

Facebook – @WeAreDallasFilm


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Film
Al Franken “Doggone it people like you” to Receive the Ernie Kovacs Award
Kelly Kitchens Posted On August 15, 2022


Dallas VideoFest is proud to award comedian and former US Senator Al Franken, best known for his work on the NBC staple, “Saturday Night Live,” with the coveted Ernie Kovacs Award at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Texas Theatre (231 W. Jefferson Blvd. – Oak Cliff/Dallas). Immediately following the Kovacs event, DVF will show the 2006 documentary, AL FRANKEN: GOD SPOKE. VIP meet-and-greet reception with Al Franken upstairs at the Texas Theatre and; event and film downstairs at the Texas.

To purchase tickets, go to http://VideoFest.org.

Ernie Kovacs has been a key component of the Dallas VideoFest since the Festival began in 1987. Franken will be on hand to receive the award from Dallas VideoFest’s Founder and Artistic Director Bart Weiss. Joshua Mills, son of Edie Adams and keeper of the Kovacs flame, will also attend.

Of course, Al Franken

Throughout the 15 years Franken was associated with “Saturday Night Live” starting with the very first show in 1975, he wrote, performed in and produced hundreds of sketches, including the well-known and often recited “Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley.” Franken won five Emmys for writing and producing during his 15 seasons with “SNL.”

Al Franken on learning he would be the recipient of the 2022 Ernie Kovacs Award:

“Ernie Kovacs’ influence on comedians of my generation is not often told these days. I was maybe ten years old when I first watched ‘The Ernie Kovacs Show.’ Like many young avid fans of comedy, I was immediately struck by his wholehearted and brilliant embrace of absurdity. The Nairobi Trio, for example, was nothing like anything anyone had ever seen. Many comedians today talk about the tremendous influence of David Letterman and Conan O’Brien – and deservedly so. Both have inspired today’s generation of comedians in the same way that Kovacs inspired me and so many others. I am humbled that the Dallas VideoFest is honoring me with The Ernie Kovacs Award. I’m not sure I deserve it.”

Bart Weiss, founder/artistic director of Dallas VideoFest, on the importance of Ernie Kovacs:

”The very first program of our festival in 1987 was Edie Adams showing the work of Ernie Kovacs. Ernie’s innovative spirit has been with us these 35 years. The Kovacs Award became the perfect way to honor those whose comedy change the way we look at TV/Video much like Kovacs did.

“One can draw a very clear line between Ernie Kovacs’ characters like Percy Dovetonsils and Al Franken’s Stuart Smalley. Both understood how to harness the power of TV comedy to help us see the world differently.

“Yes, Al, we obviously think you are good enough, smart enough and doggone it people like you.”

Joshua Mills, Edie Adams’s son and keeper of Ernie Kovacs Estate:
“Al Franken’s humor, his dry wit and his irreverent characters are part of a long comedy continuum that connects everyone and everything from Ernie Kovacs to Monty Python to David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and others who helped shaped modern comedy. From Stuart Smalley to Medieval Barber Theodoric of York, it’s about time we usher in the Al Franken Decade in 2022 with The Ernie Kovacs Award.”

About Al Franken
As far as anyone knows, Al Franken is the only U.S. Senator who was also one of the original writers for “Saturday Night Live.”

He’s also the author of four #1 New York Times bestsellers, including “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations,” “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them – A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right,” and “Al Franken, Giant of the Senate.”

Franken served Minnesota in the Senate from 2009-2018, clobbering his first opponent, incumbent Senator Norm Coleman, by 312 votes. He won his second election by well over 200,000 votes. Franken served on the Judiciary, Energy, Indian Affairs, and HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committees where he routinely embarrassed badly prepared witnesses and was a fierce opponent of media concentration, mandatory arbitration, and Betsy DeVos.

“The Al Franken Podcast” is one of the nation’s top-ten politics and public affairs podcasts with guests like Malcolm Nance, Sarah Silverman, Paul Krugman, Chris Rock, and Michelle Obama. Well, not Michelle Obama but guests like her.

His political action committee, Midwest Values PAC, supports progressive Democrats, voting rights, and a host of other good, non-political things.

Al and his wife, Franni, have been married for 45 years, many of them happy. They have two kids and four grandchildren.

About the Ernie Kovacs Award
The Ernie Kovacs Award recognizes the career and talents of some of television’s greatest visionaries. Kovacs’ work in the 1950s and early 1960s summed up the spirit of innovation and the development of the language of television as art.

The Dallas VideoFest and the Video Association of Dallas announced the first Ernie Kovacs Award at the 1997 festival. Comedian Joel Hodgson of “Mystery Science 3000” was the first recipient and subsequent honorees have included Terry Gilliam and – our last recipient in 2019 – John Cleese, both of “Monty Python;” Robert Smigel, writer/performer of “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien;” Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens; Martin Mull; Mike Judge; George Schlatter, creator of “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In;” Harry Shearer, “This is Spinal Tap” and “The Simpsons;” Michael Nesmith; Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald of “The Kids in the Hall, in 2017;” and Amy Sedaris, the first woman to receive the Ernie Kovacs Award in 2018.

Actress Edie Adams (http://edieadams.com/), Kovacs’ widow, came to Dallas to host the awards program annually until her death in 2008. Today, Edie’s son, Joshua Mills runs Ediad Productions the video and audio archive of both Ernie Kovacs and Edie Adams. As the official archivist for the Ernie Kovacs/Edie Adams (Ediad) Collection, Ben Model curated the “Ernie Kovacs Collection” DVD box sets for Shout! Factory, as well as the box set of “Here’s Edie” shows for MVD.


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EarthXFilm Festival
AdChat DFW Posted On May 4, 2022


EarthX Film Festival 2022 presented by Curiosity unveiled its programming lineup today with over 75 feature-length and short films screening during its four-day run May 12-15. This year’s theme, “A Celebration of the Outdoors,” continues the Film Festival’s mission to highlight films and emerging media that celebrate nature and outdoor adventure stories exploring the environment, conservation, climate change, and science while honoring the heroes working to protect our planet. This year for the first time, the EarthX Film Festival will be held in the Dallas Arts District, providing easy walking for attendees to the five theater venues tapping into the vibrant downtown community and making it an exciting cultural touchstone for the city. Each night of the Film Festival will feature a musical act performing before a showcase screening.

Curiosity, a leading factual entertainment media company, has joined the festival as the Presenting Sponsor. Curiosity’s flagship streaming service, Curiosity Stream, delivers thousands of films, series, and shows on space, history, nature, tech, lifestyle and more, all on demand, available to watch on all the major streaming devices. They will also be presenting a screening of the Curiosity original film GOING CIRCULAR, exploring circularity, an innovative concept that could save our collective future on planet Earth.

“We’re thrilled to present films this year that showcase our amazing planet and the people dedicated to making a difference. It’s always been our vision to create a world-class event that celebrates the spirit of Texas and welcomes global citizens to experience the rich arts culture in Dallas,” said Michael Fletcher, CEO of EarthX. “We’re pleased to welcome Curiosity as our Presenting Sponsor. They share our vision in the power of storytelling to change the world, and we’re grateful for their continued support.”

Curiosity is thrilled to partner with EarthX to bring this incredible lineup of game-changing films to thousands of festival-goers both in person and virtually,” said Rob Burk, head of original content for Curiosity. “We know firsthand to resonate deeply with viewers, films must dive into our past and present and also explore solutions for the future, and we are proud to support the EarthX Film Festival mission to empower documentary fans to learn, enjoy, and take action.”

For more information and tickets, go to: https://earthxfilmfestival.org/  or download the app available on iOS and Android.

GET TICKETS


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Film
“(S)hit Squad” Announces Cast for Dallas Premiere @ Angelika Film Center
Event Horizon Films Posted On April 14, 2022


Event Horizon Films revealed today the cast starring in the short film, (S)hit Squad, to premiere at the Dallas Angelika Film Center.

Gail Cronauer, Major Dodge, Skeeta Jenkins, Cynthia Santiago and Paul T. Taylor will take to the big screen on May 12, 2022 as part of the annual Dallas Noir. The film was directed by awarding-winning filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee, best known for Three Days In August, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek and Decoding Annie Parker.

“I’m so pleased to be working with local DFW actors on this film,” Brownlee said. “Yet another example of how the talent pool, both in front and behind the camera, is evolving each year in our market.”

Gail Cronauer, best known for her work in Oliver Stone’s JFK and the TV series, Walker, Texas Ranger, will play the role of a mob boss named, Martha. Cronauer has more than 30 years of experience in film and TV, including the recent role of Mabel Blanche in The Vast Of Night, streaming on Amazon Prime. She has also been honored numerous times by the USA Film Festival for her work in JFK, The Newton Boys, Te Ata, Walking Tall 2, Boys Don’t Cry and Carried Away. Notable TV credits included, Revolution, Dallas, and The Substitute Wife. Cronauer is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity. She is also an acting teacher, and currently serves as vice president of Women in Film-Dallas.

Major Dodge, best known for producing and starring in Bomb City, will play the criminal, Clairol. Dodge is an award-winning actor and producer with more than 20 years experience. His other recent credits included: Queen Sugar, Cobra Kai and The Seventh Day with Guy Pearce. Dodge received his training from the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute.

Skeeta Jenkins, an actor with credits in Jakob’s Wife and TV’s Love and Death, will play the role of Pudge, the criminal with a digestive disorder. Most recognizable for his booming voice and commanding presence, Jenkins has a decade of acting and voice-acting experience with more than 60 screen credits to his name. He is also a member of SAG-AFTRA.

Cynthia Santiago, best known for her work in 99 Homes and TV’s Queen of the South, will play the role of Jimmie-Sue, the erotic dancer with ulterior goals. Santiago is a native Puerto Rican and a bi-lingual actor with more than 30 screen credits to her name, including: Living, The Chosen, Amaraica and Glow. Santiago started her artistic journey as a ballerina at the Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico.

Paul T. Taylor, best known for Sin City, Super and the iconic Pinhead in Hellraiser: Judgment, will play the roles of twin brothers, Jerry and Terry. Taylor is a classically trained actor of stage, film and television. With nearly 60 screen credits to his name, his other notable performances included: W, Soul Men, Wonderful World and TV credits, Prison Break, The Purge and Friday Night Lights. Taylor also appeared on Broadway in The Last Empress.

(S)hit Squad, a crime comedy, was written by Harry Hunsicker, and selected for development as part of the 2021 “Script to Screen” competition, presented by Event Horizon Films and Torfoot Films.

“We are thrilled for this opportunity to bring Harry’s script to life,” said Zack Frizzell, producer, Event Horizon Films. “We are committed to opening doors for emerging and unknown screenwriters, and a grand premiere at the Dallas Angelika is a huge step in that direction.”

The film 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. Alter Ego, a coloring company in Toronto, will be handling post production.

Post production company Alter Ego and colorist Andrew Ross will be grading the short film, as part of on-going collaboration with Brownlee and his team.

“Who would have thought a chance meeting in Cancun would lead to a long and fruitful relationship,” asked Greg Edgar, CEO, Alter Ego. “I met Johnathan in the swimming pool and ended up agreeing to color grade his first feature film, Three Days in August. Since then, we have worked together on many more projects, so we are thrilled to continue our support with his latest film, (S)hit Squad.”

For more information on (S)hit Squad, visit IMDB. Details on the “Script to Screen” competition are available at eventhorizonfilms.com. Information can also be found on: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Torfoot Films

Torfoot Films is an award-winning film, television and digital content production company founded in 2010 with offices in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas. Veteran filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee serves as President and CEO. Brownlee is Canadian/American director, producer, writer and actor, known for THREE DAYS IN AUGUST, THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK, DECODING ANNIE PARKER and JOHNATHAN BROWNLEE’S ATHOME. A highly respected producer who has worked with Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning talent. Torfoot’s work has been viewed in more than 100 countries in multiple languages and was honored in 2021 with 14 Telly Awards. Torfoot has a variety of content in development, including the feature films; MONTSERRAT, EYES OF JEFFERSON, BREW MASTER, GOOD ENOUGH and Hallmark Channel’s AN ISLAND LIGHT.  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.

About Alter Ego

Alter Ego is an award winning commercial post production facility in Toronto, Canada. With 5 Baselight grading suites, 6 Flame suites and a full CG and MoGraph department Alter Ego can tackle any project.


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EARTHxFilm  / Film
2022 EarthX Film Festival Finds New Home in Dallas Arts District | May 12-15
AdChat DFW Posted On April 11, 2022


The annual EarthX Film Festival returns for 2022 in May for an exciting four days and more than 75 films, including an opening night world premiere of Deep In The Heart, a film by Ben Masters (The River and The Wall) on wildlife in Texas narrated by Matthew McConaughey.

The festival runs May 12-15 and for the first time will be held in the Dallas Arts District, providing easy accessibility to five theater venues. Each night will feature a musical act performing before a showcase screening.

With the theme “A Celebration of the Outdoors,” the festival continues its mission to highlight films and emerging media that celebrate nature, outdoor adventure, environment, conservation, climate change, and science. The lineup includes 24 features, 54 shorts, plus music, art installations, and panel discussions.

They’re also welcoming a new sponsor, says EarthX CEO Michael Fletcher in a statement: Curiosity, a media company whose streaming service, Curiosity Stream, delivers films, series, and shows on space, history, nature, tech, and lifestyle on demand. The film lineup will include Curiosity’s original film Going Circular, exploring circularity.

“We’re thrilled to present films this year that showcase our amazing planet and the people dedicated to making a difference,” Fletcher says. “It’s always been our vision to create a world-class event that celebrates the spirit of Texas and welcomes global citizens to experience the rich arts culture in Dallas.”

For more information and tickets, go to earthxfilmfestival.org or download the app available on iOS and Android.

Opening screening
Opening night will be the world premiere of Ben Masters’ film Deep In The Heart, narrated by Matthew McConaughey and the first feature-length wildlife film ever produced about Texas. Filmed over two years, it showcases Texas’ species and wild places, the connectivity of water and wildlife, and recognizes Texas’ conservation importance on a continental scale.

Masters calls it “a love letter to the diverse and vibrant state that we call home.”

Festival favorites
Several festival darlings are also in the lineup, including Fire of Love by Sara Dosa; We Feed People by Ron Howard; The Territory, a Sundance Audience Award winner; Bring Your Own Brigade by Lucy Walker; and To The End by Rachel Lears.

A wide range of filmmakers including award winners Jeff Orlowsky (Chasing Ice), Raj Patel & Zak Piper (The Ants and The Grasshopper), young superstar Lindsey Hagen (California Natural), and several newcomers, including two second-grade brothers making their first film with their father called Life In The Slow Lane.

The films cover a variety of important topics, from the healing experience for veterans through nature (Eric and The Bees, Bastards’ Road), to female big-wave surfing (Big vs Small), to tiger poaching (Tigre Gente).

Texas stories
This year’s Texas films include Battle For The Heart of Texas about property rights in energy production; When It’s Good, It’s Good, about oil-drilling communities in West Texas; and REI’s Slim Pickins about diversity in outdoor culture.

Short Films
Many of the shorts are associated with brands and film companies including Patagonia’s Raised From the Earth about living off the land, and The Monster In Our Closet, which focuses on plastic in our fashion. The Redford Center is presenting two short films on mass transit: Community Power Arizona: En Nuestrxs Manos (In Our Hands) and Community Power Nevada: Unidxs En Accion (United In Action).

The full list of feature films includes:

  • Bastards’ Road, Director Brian Morrison
  • Battle for the Heart of Texas, Director John Brown
  • Before They Fall, Director Cam MacArthur
  • Big vs Small, Director Minna Dufton
  • Reel Rock: Black Ice, Director Peter Mortimer, Zachary Barr
  • Bring Your Own Brigade, Director Lucy Walker
  • Chasing Ice, Director Jeff Orlowski
  • Coextinction, Director Gloria Pancrazi, Elena Jean
  • Deep in the Heart, Director Ben Masters
  • Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Director Bill Kroyer
  • Fire of Love, Director Sara Dosa
  • Godspeed, Los Polacos!, Director Adam Nawrot
  • Going Circular, Director Ricard Dale, Nigel Walk
  • Inhabitants, Director Costas Boutsikaris, Anna Palmer
  • Learning to Drown, Director Ben Knight
  • Mountain Revelations, Director Justin Fann
  • Newtok, Director Michael Kirby, Andrew Burton
  • Spirit of the Peaks, Director Connor Ryan, Tim Kressin
  • The Ants and the Grasshopper, Director Raj Patel, Zak Piper
  • The Territory, Director Alex Pritz
  • Tigre Gente, Director Elizabeth Unger
  • To the End, Director Rachel Lears
  • We Feed People, Director Ron Howard
  • Zero Gravity, Director Thomas Verrette

Short films are as follows:

  • 80° North, Director Brandon Holmes
  • All Bodies on Bikes, Director Zeppelin Zeerip
  • American Scar, Director Daniel Lombroso
  • An Eye for Detail, Director Matthew Harmer
  • Bad Boy of Bonsai, Director Juan A. Moreno
  • Breaking Trail, Director Jesse Roesler
  • California Natural, Director Lindsey Hagen
  • Camp Yoshi, Director Faith E. Briggs
  • Chasing the Sublime, Director Amanda Bluglass
  • Community Power Arizona: En Nuestrxs Manos (In Our Hands), Director Pita Juarez
  • Community Power Nevada: Unidxs En Acción (United In Action), Director Nico Cadena
  • Eric and the Bees, Director Erin Brethauer, Tim Hussin
  • Finding Gulo, Director Colin Arisman
  • From My Window, Director Frank Pickell
  • Humanity Has Not Yet Failed, Director Norma V. Toraya, Jared P. Scott
  • I am One of the People, Director Cameron Woodle
  • If I Tell Them, Director Oliver Sutro
  • Kāhuli, Director Chris Jones
  • Life in the Slow Lane, Director Sol de Glanville, Ben de Glanville
  • Like a River, Director Jim Aikman
  • Listen to the Beat of our Images, Director Audrey Jean-Baptiste, Maxime Jean-Baptiste
  • Loon, Director Jason Whalen, Chris Zuker
  • Mission Mountain, Director Kody Kohlman, Andrew Bydlon
  • Mother of the Sea, Director Nicholas Brown
  • Mylo, Director Chris Bukard
  • No Soy Oscar, Director Jon Ayon
  • Nuisance Bear, Director Jack Weisman, Gabriela Osio Vanden
  • One Star Reviews: National Parks, Director Alex Massey
  • Patagonia Provisions: The Ocean Solution Film, Director Darcy Hennessey Turenne
  • Raised from the Earth, Director Forest Woodard
  • Rebirth of a Reef, Director Shaun Wolfe
  • Return to Earth, Director Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCoullough, Colin Jones
  • Rockies Repeat, Director Caroline Hedin
  • Slim Pickins, Director Justin Jeffers
  • The Captain, Director Gregory Kohs
  • The Diamond, Director Caitlyn Greene
  • The Endless Wave, Director Tom Attwater
  • The Interconnectedness of all Living Things, Director Jenn den Broeder
  • The Land of Griffons, Director Riccardo Soriano
  • The Last Last Hike, Director Celene Francois
  • The Monster in Our Closet, Director Kathryn Bays, Nicole Gormley
  • The Seeds We Keep, Director Gabriel E.W. Carter
  • The Seeker, Director Lance Edmands
  • The Wilderness Within, Director Jason van Bruggen
  • They Carry Us With Them: Gabriel Frey, Director Jeremy Seifert
  • Thomas Deininger. Trash Artist., Director Gnarly Bay
  • To Live Here (sống ở đây), Director Melanie Dang Ho
  • Wastewater: The Tale of Two Cities, Director Sarah Franke
  • We Decided to Become Farmers, Director Rob Herring, Ryan Wirick
  • What Remains, Director Paavo Hanninen
  • When It Comes from the Earth, Director Katalin Egely
  • When it’s Good it’s Good, Director Alejandra Vasquez
original content

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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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Film
Best of Fests is Back | Free | Register
Dallas International Film Festival Posted On March 21, 2022


SHORT FILM SCREENINGS FROM OAK CLIFF FILM FESTIVAL, EARTHX FILM FESTIVAL, AND DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.

ATTENDANCE IS FREE – WE’RE JUST EXCITED TO SEE YOUR FACES

BUT YOU CAN STILL REGISTER HERE TO JOIN OUR GUEST LIST FOR THE EVENING. WE CAN’T WAIT TO BRING YOU, THE BEST OF FESTS!


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