The third annual IT CAME FROM TEXAS Film Festival, taking place at the Plaza Theatre in Garland, located at 521 W. State Street, showcases a weekend theme of True Texas Tales. The Festival kicks off on Friday, September 12 and continues through Sunday, September 14. As with the last two years’ edition of this fest, IT CAME FROM TEXAS is proudly sponsored by the City of Garland and Garland Cultural Arts.
All-access Festival passes are currently on sale for $65, offering access to the entire weekend of films and events at the Plaza Theatre, as well as discounts around the Square. All-access passes will increase to $75 on August 11, 2025. Passes available at https://www.prekindle.com/calendar/itcamefromtexasfilmfest. Individual tickets to each film block will be available August 11 at the same link.
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TRUE TEXAS TALES and then some
In addition to securing the classic films, THE ALAMO (1960) and BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967), festival director Kelly Kitchens has added titles and special guest speakers (authors, historians, experts and, in some cases, family members) to the ICFTx 2025 lineup, which adds nuance, context, and depth to the fest. One such title, the documentary THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS (2008) by Dallas’s AMS Pictures (screening as a double feature with 2007’s THE GREAT DEBATERS on Saturday night).
“Since I love to laugh, I had to throw in some merriment in this Festival with a Secret Screening of a Larry Buchanan film with live riffing from the Mocky Horror Picture Show comedy troupe on Friday night after BONNIE AND CLYDE. I’m thrilled that we are playing BERNIE and bringing in the screenwriter, Skip Hollandsworth, to talk about how his original article in Texas Monthly Magazine led to his writing the screenplay with director Richard Linklater,” said Kelly Kitchens, festival director.
“And we are ending the Festival on our ALAMO Sunday with the fun, silly comedy, VIVA MAX! from 1969. Yes, I know this one isn’t based on a true story, but can you imagine a Mexican General coming to retake the Alamo in 1969? That premise is just too funny. Come see it with me, and let’s laugh ourselves into the next week,” Kitchens snickered.
GORDON K. SMITH RETURNS TO OFFER HIS FILM EXPERTISE
Gordon K. Smith, the film historian specializing in movies made in Texas, brings his deep-dive knowledge to this Festival.
“At this year’s IT CAME FROM TEXAS, I’ll be giving you the deep backstory of how BONNIE AND CLYDE, THE ALAMO and the other films came to be made, the Oscars they won (or probably should have won), the previous and subsequent versions of the stories, and how they essentially rewrote history, for better or worse. There will be lots of cool clips, authoritative guest speakers on each of the subjects, and my personal memories of working on the 2004 version of THE ALAMO,” Smith said.
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FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE THESE TEXAS-MADE FILMS:
Films and guests subject to change:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
6:30 pm-HOUSE OPENS
7:00 pm-Feature ($15 individual tickets)
BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
Director: Arthur Penn
Filmed in Red Oak, Texas (Bank Robbery); Denton, Texas; Rowlett, Texas; Waxahachie, Texas; Garland, Texas; Midlothian, Texas; Pilot Point, Texas; Trinity River, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Venus, Texas (Bank Robbery); Maypearl, Texas; Lemmon Lake, Texas (Shootout); Ponder, Texas Warner Brothers Burbank Studios; Crandall, Texas, USA (as Arcadia, Louisiana); Lavon, Texas; and Albertson Ranch, Triunfo, California, USA (slow-motion death scene).
SYNOPSIS:
This classic, Oscar-winning film depicts the days of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they rob banks and evade law enforcement throughout the Depression-era South, in a film that pioneered cinematic techniques and movie violence.
9:30 pm-Comedy troupe live riffs on Campy Classic ($15 individual tickets)
Secret Screening with Mocky Horror Picture Show’s live riffing
Director: Larry Buchanan
Mocked live by comedians Danny Gallagher, Liz Barksdale and Albie Robles
This film is to be revealed at the time of showing and will be accompanied by the Mocky Horror Picture Show for a live-riffing movie comedy show!
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
12:00 pm-HOUSE OPENS
12:30 pm-Feature ($15 individual tickets)
BERNIE (2011)
Director: Richard Linklater
In attendance:
Skip Hollandsworth, a journalist whose story on Bernie Tiede in Texas Monthlymagazine turned him into the screenwriter with Richard Linklater.
Filmed in Carthage, Smithville, Austin, and Bastrop, Texas.
SYNOPSIS:
Likeable, small-town mortician becomes enamored with a wealthy widow in this dark comedy featuring an ensemble cast of screen legends.
Deep Dive into True Texas Film Footage from the William G Jones Film Archives at the SMU Libraries
In attendance:
Dr. Sean Griffin, a Professor in the SMU Meadows Division of Film and Media Arts, has written numerous books on film and television history.
Farris Rookstool III, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and Emmy & Peabody award winner, who is also a former FBI Analyst
More details to come
4:30 pm-MEAL BREAK
6:30 pm-DOUBLE FEATURE: Feature Film and Documentary with panel ($20 – individual tickets)
THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007)
Director: Denzel Washington
In attendance:
Coach Ernest Mack (Wiley University Debate Coach)
Filmed in Wiley College – 711 Wiley Avenue, Marshall, Texas; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Mansfield Studios, Mansfield, Louisiana; Palestine, Texas (Texas State Railroad); Shreveport, Louisiana; and Boston, Massachusetts.
SYNOPSIS:
Chronicles the travails of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Texas as they explore the challenges of racial strife and the power of their voices for social change.
After a brief intermission:
THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS (2008)
Director: Brad Osborne of AMS Pictures (in attendance)
Filmed in Wiley College – 711 Wiley Avenue, Marshall, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Los Angeles, California.
SYNOPSIS:
The story that inspired the film. The achievement that inspired a nation.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
12:30 pm-HOUSE OPENS
1:00 pm-Feature with clips and intermission ($15 individual tickets)
THE ALAMO (1960)
Director: John Wayne
In attendance:
Anita La Cava Swift (John Wayne’s Granddaughter) – Anita makes an appearance in THE ALAMO
Frank Thompson (historian/author of four books about THE ALAMO films)
Filmed in Alamo Village, Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas (the Alamo); Brackettville, Texas (San Antonio setting); and in various places in Mexico at the start of production shooting.
SYNOPSIS:
This epic, directorial effort from legendary actor John Wayne portrays the events of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and was known not only for its grand scale but also for its immense production cost.
4:30 pm-MEAL BREAK
6:30 pm-Feature ($10 individual tickets)
VIVA MAX! (1969)
Director: Jerry Paris
In attendance:
Frank Thompson (historian/author of four books about THE ALAMO films)
Filmed in Alamo Village, Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas; San Antonio at the actual Alamo (until they were kicked out); and Rome, Italy (where they finished the film).
SYNOPSIS:
Starring Peter Ustinov, Jonathan Winters, Harry Morgan, and Alice Ghostley. A misguided Mexican General leads his troops into Texas to take back the Alamo in 1969, more than 133 years after the original infamous battle for the mission.
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IT CAME FROM TEXAS Film Festival
The Third Annual Fest of Films Made in Texas
WHAT:
City of Garland’s Cultural Arts presents It Came From Texas Film Festival
Texas-sized True Texas Tales: Texas-made films return to the Big Screen.
ADMISSION – PASSES and TICKETS:
Festival passes available online at http://GarlandArts.com
And specifically https://www.prekindle.com/calendar/itcamefromtexasfilmfest
Festival Pass: $65; $75 (starting August 11)
(Full value of individual tickets is $100)
Festival Pass Perks:
Limited Availability
- Early admission
- Commemorative Poster
- Discounts from participating businesses and restaurants
Tickets for individual film blocks will be available soon from the same URL:
https://www.prekindle.com/calendar/ItCameFromTexasFilmFest
WHEN and WHERE:
Sep 12-14, 2025
The Plaza Theatre on the Downtown Square
521 W. State Street
Garland, TX 75040
