The USA Film Festival announces the schedule of events for the 53rd Annual USA Film Festival, April 19 – 23, 2023. The FREE-admission community arts program will be held at the Angelika Film Center, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas.
One of the oldest festivals in the U.S., the USA Film Festival celebrates its 53rd year. The first festival to devote itself to the American filmmaker back in 1970, today presents over 50 days of diverse programs every year.
“We are so pleased to be able to celebrate Dallas Arts Month and bring our program to the community with filmmaker guests in attendance.” USAFF Managing Director Ann Alexander says. “And with support from our Sponsors, this year’s program will once again be presented as all-free-admission.”
This year’s program highlights and guests include:
Great Director Tribute to Lasse Hallström in conjunction with a screening of Hilma. The immersive biopic brings to life the story of a woman (Hilma af Klint) who posthumously revolutionized the art world as one of the first abstract artists. The film stars Tora Hallström as young Hilma and Lena Olin as the mature Hilma. An on-stage conversation with Lasse Hallström, Lena Olin, Tora Hallström and film historian Foster Hirsch will follow the screening.
Director Ann Hearn Tobolowsky will present Reykjavík, a filmed live stage performance of Steve Yockey’s play “Reykjavík” — a dark supernatural thriller/comedy set in the land of the northern lights. The film will be followed by an on-stage conversation with Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.
Writer/director Sophie Barthes will attend the Festival to present her satirical drama The Pod Generation. The film features a couple living in the not-so-distant future where technology provides ever-more convenient living – including conception, gestation and birth. Emilia Clarke stars as Rachel, a rising tech company executive, and Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Alvy, a botanist who has an affection for the natural world. An on-stage conversation with Barthes will follow the screening.
Director Sascha Just and Jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis will present Ellis, a fascinating documentary that chronicles the life of the exceptional New Orleans performer, composer and educator Ellis Marsalis. An on-stage conversation with Sascha Just and Delfeayo Marsalis will follow the screening. This program will be presented in partnership with Sammons Jazz and the Sammons Center for the Arts in celebration of Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month.
A screening of Josh Seftel’s Bruce and ALVIN, an intriguing short documentary that explores the history and future of Alvin — one of the world’s only remaining publicly-funded manned submersibles — as told through the eyes of long-time Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution pilot Bruce Strickrott. The film will be followed by an on-stage conversation with lead mechanical engineer for the Alvin Group, Francis Elder.
Director Vladislav Kozlov will present Silent Life: The Story of the Lady in Black featuring Terry Moore. The film stars Moore as the mysterious Lady in Black who visits Rudolph Valentino’s resting place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The cast also includes Isabella Rossellini, Franco Nero, Sherilyn Fenn, Paul Rodriguez and Monte Markham and is co-written by Kozlov, Ksenia Jarova, and Natalia Dar. An on-stage conversation with Vladislav Kozlov and film historian Foster Hirsch will follow the screening.
Some of this year’s Texas Filmmaker’s programs include:
Writer/director Alex Haughey and actress Taylor Joree Scorse will present Haughey’s darkly comedic Under the Influencer. The film follows Tori (Taylor Joree Scorse) — a successful Youtuber that rose to prominence in the influencer age who finds her popularity waning as she reaches her mid-20s.
Writer/director Derek Presley, editor/producer Jason Starne, and producer Lola Lott will present Tonic — a drama-thriller that follows a washed up jazz pianist (Billy Blair) whose journey over the course of one night plunges him into the dark streets of Deep Ellum. The film’s cast also includes Lori Petty, Richard Riehle, Ed Westwick and Vernon Davis. The film is executively produced by Alex Blackmon.
Director Roger Peters will present Posey’s Playhouse — a documentary chronicling the formation of actor and writer Matthew Posey’s life work, the Ochre House Theatre which he founded, the players it cultivates and an untimely event that could destroy it all. Film subject Matthew Posey and friends also in attendance.
Writer/director Bill McAdams, Jr., producer Therese Moncrief, actor/producer Caroline Stella, producer Henry Penzi, and actors Taylor Jabara and Brent Anderson will present the timely Bully High, a coming-of-age drama that centers around Maryam Ali (Aneesha Madhok), a Muslim exchange student who is bullied by school officials and students at her hew high school.
Director Walid Khaldi will present William Greaves: Remembering an American Filmmaker, featuring interviews that shed light on the influential documentary filmmaker’s works as he discusses his films and unique life throughout seven decades.
Other featured programs include:
–Director Eva Longoria’s feature debut Flamin’ Hot, written by Lewis Colick and Linda Yvette Chávez, starring Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera and Tony Shalhoub.
–The insightful documentary Judy Blume Forever directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok.
–The biographical drama Chevalier directed by Stephen Williams, written by Stefani Robinson, starring Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Lucy Boynton, Samara Weaving and Minnie Driver.
–Director/co-writer Benjamin Millepeid’s sensational Carmen, written by Alexander Dinelaris, Loïc Barrère and Millepeid, starring Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal and Rossy de Palma.
–Director Lisa Cortés exhilarating documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything.
–Writer/director Paul Schrader’s thriller Master Gardener, starring Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver and Quintessa Swindell.
–Henrik M. Dahlsbakken’s expansive biopic Munch.
–The charming Irish drama-comedy Róise & Frank, co-written/directed by Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy, starring Bríd Ní Neachtain, Cillian O’Gairbhi, Lorcan Cranitch, Ruadhán de Faoite, Claire O’Connor and Michelle Beamish.
–Director Hallvard Bræin’s adventurous Gold Run (based on true events), written by Jørgen Storm Rosenberg and Thomas Moldestad, and starring Jon Øigarden, Ida Elise Broch, Eivind Sander, Sven Nordin, and Axel Bøyum;
–Sergio Naitza’s documentary about the making of the infamous 1968 film Boom! starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, directed by Joseph Losey with screenplay by Tennessee Williams, A Summer with Joe, Liz & Richard.
–Bestor Cram’s emotionally evocative documentary Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues.
–Writer/director Tonatiuh García’s entrancing drama Black Moon.
–Along with several compilation programs of Short Films.
Jurors for the USAFF’s International Short Film Competition include actress/director Karen Allen, actor Jim Beaver, actress/producer/documentarian/educator Diane Baker, actor/writer/director Stephen Tobolowsky, manager/writer/producer/director Chris Roe, artist/director/writer Rosson Crow and animator/director Bill Haller.
For more details and to view the full schedule of programs visit https://www.usafilmfestival.com/
Tickets for all programs are FREE (quantities are limited).
ADVANCE TICKETS may be reserved by calling The Festival office at 214-821-6300 beginning April 13th.
DAY-OF-SHOW TICKETS will also be available at the Angelika Film Center upstairs sales desk beginning ONE HOUR prior to EACH showtime.
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
USA Film Festival 53 is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Presenting Sponsors include Sidley Austin LLP, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, Gaedeke Group, Carol and Alan J. Bernon Family Charitable Foundation, Moody Fund for the Arts, Headington Company, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, Mary Fox and Laura Fox, Dallas Film & Creative Industries, MPS Studios, Dallas Producers Association, and the Angelika Film Center.
ABOUT THE USA FILM FESTIVAL
A year-round film festival featuring 50 days of programs
The USA Film Festival is a 53-year-old Dallas-based 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition and promotion of excellence in the film and video arts. Year-round events include the annual KidFilm® Festival; monthly screenings; special programs and premieres; and the USA Film Festival, held each Spring. Throughout the year, the Festival presents a variety of membership, exhibition, educational, and cultural programs designed to promote equity and equality, and to bring together audiences and artists for a “live cinema” experience.
DALLAS ARTS MONTH – 10TH ANNIVERSARY
USAFF53 is pleased to be a part of Arts Month! Dallas Arts Month is a city-wide celebration of Dallas arts and is held annually in the month of April. Arts Month is designed to build awareness and appreciation for the work of Dallas artists and organizations and foster creative learning and activity throughout the city. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in events and programming offered by art and cultural institutions from all disciplines. For more information, please visit www.dallasartsmonth.com
DALLAS JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
USAFF53 is proud to once again partner with the Sammons Center for the Arts and Sammons Jazz to present screenings celebrating the rich history of jazz. Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month (D’JAM) is a special month-long celebration of all things jazz, including the amazing jazz artists, past and present, legends and rising stars, who call North Texas home. Held each April as part of the national program called Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), D’JAM presents a variety of events highlighting and showcasing jazz in the greater Dallas area. The local initiative is coordinated by a volunteer collective of jazz presenters, jazz educators, and jazz supporters that includes nonprofit arts groups, universities, festivals, high schools, cultural centers, jazz clubs, and museums.
