Festival Time

Premieres of all stripes litter list of Dallas International Film Festival's first 10 films

Elisabeth Moss stars in Her Smell, one of the first 10 announced films at the 13th annual Dallas International Film Festival.

Photo courtesy of Gunpowder & Sky

UPDATE: The Dallas International Film Festival has released its full schedule, one that includes an opening night screening of Netflix's Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron as Ted Bundy. The full schedule of films can be found at DallasFilm.org.

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The 13th annual Dallas International Film Festival, taking place April 11-18, has announced its first 10 films, a list which includes two world premieres, three Texas premieres, and four Dallas premieres.

The list includes six feature films and four documentaries, encompassing nine American films and one Chinese film. The most notable films are the Texas premiere of Her Smell, directed by Alex Ross Perry and starring Elisabeth Moss as a fading '90s punk rock superstar; Live from Astroturf, a documentary about Alice Cooper reuniting with the surviving members of the original lineup of the band at Good Records in Dallas; Running with Beto, a behind-the-scenes HBO documentary film that follows Beto O'Rourke's rise from virtual unknown to national political sensation; and a 40th anniversary screening of The Muppet Movie.

The other initial films include:

Hurdle, about two Palestinian youths who teach parkour and photography as a means to overcome the personal and political obstacles that often feel inescapable.
Jumpshot, which uncovers the inspiring true story of Kenny Sailors, the developer of the modern-day jump shot in basketball.
Seadrift, about a Vietnamese refugee who shoots and kills a white crab fisherman at the public town docks in Seadrift, Texas.
Shadow, a film that pushes the boundaries of wuxia action, telling the story of a young and unpredictable king and a military commander who has a secret weapon: a “shadow” look-alike.
Them That Follow, about members of an isolated community of Pentecostal snake handlers (including Oscar winner Olivia Colman and Walton Goggins) who risk their lives to attest themselves before God.
This World Won’t Break, which follows a down-on-his-luck Texas troubadour questioning his life choices until he manages to write a song that could change everything.

"Our goal is to bring an eclectic and vibrant mix of films that speak to the varied interests and life experiences of DIFF festivalgoers, says James Faust, artistic director of Dallas Film, in a statement. "We have many exciting events in the works and are eager to create an exceptional festival experience for all who attend."

For the first time, the festival, themed this year as "Celebrating the Past, Present & Future of Film," is partnering with Atom Tickets to offer reserved seating via a mobile app. DIFF is the pilot film festival to offer this benefit to eventgoers. In addition, Star Pass holders will have an opportunity to reserve premium seats.

The largest film festival in North Texas will feature screenings at Magnolia Theater, West Village in Uptown Dallas; Studio Movie Grill, Royal Lane; the Dallas Museum of Art; and other venues. Passes, which range from $75-$500, can be purchased at dallasfilm.charityproud.org or dallasfilm.org.

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Movie Theater News

Dallas' historic Inwood Theatre extends run with new 3-year lease deal

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Dallas' storied Inwood Theatre will remain open for at least three more years after its operator, Landmark Theatres, reached a short-term lease agreement with its landlord.

The deal extends the life of the nearly 80-year-old movie theater, at 5458 West Lovers Lane, for three years while leaving its long-term more uncertain.

The theater's future has been somewhat in flux since February 2024 when it was temporarily locked out for defaulting on its lease payments.

The lockout was in effect for less than a week before the theater reopened on February 24, 2024.

Later that year, a judge in New York ordered Cohen Media Group, which owns Landmark Theatres, to auction off its properties after it defaulted on a loan.

The resulting auction garnered zero bids for Landmark Theatres, and the theater chain has continued operating without incident in the time since.

Now, as part of the lease extension, Landmark is investing in the guest experience at Inwood Theatre, with several upgrades already underway and expected to be completed by the end of July, according to a release.

Improvements include the installation of leather reclining seats in the main theater, replacing the existing LoveSac couches, refinishing the theater’s original entryway terrazzo, and replacing poster cases with new LED display cases.

Additional enhancements are planned over the next two years.

The Inwood Theatre, which first opened in 1947, is one of the few remaining theaters from the 1940s still in operation today and has long served as a cultural cornerstone in Dallas.

It is noted for its distinctive Art Deco architecture and curated film programming, which includes a monthly midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is believed to be the longest-running midnight movie showing in the nation.

“The Inwood Theatre has been a beloved part of the Dallas community for nearly eight decades and remains one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable and cherished landmarks,” said Corinne Hoffman of L&B Realty Advisors, which owns Inwood Village, in a statement.

“We value the history and character it brings to Inwood Village. Like many long-standing entertainment venues, continued care and reinvestment help ensure it can keep delivering the experience patrons know and love. We look forward to seeing the impact that the improvements at Inwood Theatre have for generations to come.”

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