The Dallas International Film Festival is back for its ninth year to once again bring us extraordinary movies, documentaries, shorts and panel discussions. The festival kicks off today and runs through April 19. Many of the films will be shown at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas at Mockingbird Station, and additional movies and events take place at other venues throughout the Dallas area.
More than 150 films will be shown in 11 days, giving festival-goers plenty of options to choose from. See our top picks below of movies and events to check out this year!
Movies
I’ll See You in My Dreams (April 9, April 10)
It seems like every other film coming out now is a “coming of age” movie. What about those “of age”? Brett Haley’s I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS is about those who have seen it all and can teach the rest of us a little something about living. More details.
Have You Been Flying BLAH Airlines? (April 10, 1 p.m.)
Take a look inside BLAH Airlines Flight 101 from Newark to San Francisco. Witness the harsh reality of nearly six hours of flying at its worst, from takeoff to landing. Unfortunately, this is a familiar experience for far too many travelers. This free screening is a special event sponsored by Virgin America. More details.
Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World (April 11, noon)
BATKID BEGINS gives a behind-the-scenes look at how a small wish from a 5-year old turns into a major event and production.The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s initial plan was so well received that it went viral online and grew exponentially. Responses went from hundreds to thousands overnight and suddenly the organization wondered if the event could spiral out of control.
Playing it Cool (April 11, April 17)
Justin Reardon’s romantic comedy, PLAYING IT COOL, is equal parts whimsy, humor and heart. Chris Evans stars as the film’s nameless narrator, a screenwriter who just landed a job writing what could be the next romantic comedy box office hit. There’s just one problem: he doesn’t believe in love. More details.
NOWITZKI. The Perfect Shot (April 14, April 16)
THE PERFECT SHOT, directed by award-winning director Sebastian Dehnhardt, covers the story of Nowitzki’s rise to international notoriety. It’s the story of the fascinating relationship between Nowitzki and his coach and mentor, Holger Geschwindner—the physicist who recognized young Dirk Nowitzki’s talent early on and, with a mix of ambition and scientific precision, helped him all the way to the top of his profession. Dirk Nowitzki and Holger Geschwindner have a unique relationship and an even more unorthodox training regiment. German engineering meets NBA Basketball. More details.
Tajrish…an Unfinished Story (April 16, April 17)
Set in modern day Tehran, two friends catch up on each other’s lives, while discussing the what-if’s of the past. Soroor and Amir became friends 20 years ago when they both performed in a play together. After not seeing each other since the play, they retrace the path of their friendship and take a trip down memory lane. More details.
The Lego Movie (April 18, 11 a.m.)
THE LEGO MOVIE is a clever, fun and vibrant world, bringing you back to your childhood and the creativity that came from playing with Legos. The film was a national hit upon release last year and earned multiple awards and nominations.
The Dallas Film Society is honored to have THE LEGO MOVIE directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller here for a special screening and conversation about their film after receiving the Texas Avery Award at DFS Honors. More details.
Panels and Q&As
A series of panel discussions and Q&As will be hosted throughout the festival, ranging from topics such as cinematography. the legal aspects of making a film and cinema education. These events are free to public, so arrive early to snag a seat.
Tools of the Trade: A Camera Symposium (April 11, noon)
When it comes to choosing a camera for your film, the choices are endless: Arri 416, AlexaXT, Sonyf55, Epic Dragon, Genesis, Panavision – this is just the tip of the iceberg in the array of cameras being used by filmmakers today. Each camera with various features – optics, digital display, ground glass, magazines – working together to create a unique look and style all their own. Presented by Panavision, this symposium offers a hands-on, in-person look at some of the cameras currently used in the motion picture and television industries today. More details.
Trends in Technology: A Conversation with Cinematographers (April 11, 2 p.m.)
As trends in technology continue to revolutionize the tools filmmakers use, no one understands the effect these new technologies have on the way movies are made more than cinematographers. Immediately following the camera symposium, stick around for a conversation with experts in the field to learn more about the ever-changing world of cinematography. More details.
Legal Panel: Why Do I Need A Lawyer? (April 12, 1:30 p.m.)
Just as most lawyers shouldn’t make films, most filmmakers shouldn’t play lawyer. Concepts like copyrights, fair use, music licensing, contracts and incentives can mean lots of money – either in or out of your pocket. A panel of experienced entertainment lawyers will share insights to help your film stay out of the courtroom and get on the screen. Approved for CLE credit. More details.
Cinema as Next Level Marketing (April 12, 3 p.m.)
Increasingly, commercial marketers are turning to filmmakers to develop cinematic campaigns that use tools and techniques used in feature films including CGI, lenses, filters, creative transitions, lighting, special effects, and more to promote new products or services. This panel will include a discussion with some of the filmmakers who blend art, cinematography and marketing to create epic teaser films and other cinematic advertisements that are fun, fresh, and targeted to Generation X, Generation Y, and Millennials alike.
A Conversation with John Landis (April 18, 2:30 p.m.)
Join the conversation with Dallas Star Award Honoree John Landis, moderated by Dallas Morning News film critic Chris Vognar. An award-winning writer/director with more than 40 years of experience working in the film industry, Landis will share valuable insight and experiences from his illustrious career.
Follow the festival on Twitter and like them on Facebook for more updates. Join the conversation with other film buffs using #DIFF2015.
(Disclaimer: GenPink was provided with a media pass to the festival. All thoughts are our own.)