The lineup for the 53rd Annual USA Film Festival has been revealed, showcasing 28 different screenings over the course of five days, April 19-23.
The free community arts program, taking place entirely at the Angelika Film Center, will feature a number of highlights despite its relatively small roster of films. Opening night will see the local premiere of Chevalier, starring rising star Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the son of a slave who rises to great heights in French society, as well as the documentary Judy Blume Forever, about the beloved children's book author.
Other notable films include Flamin' Hot, the directorial debut of Eva Longoria, about the man credited with inventing the popular Cheetos flavor; Little Richard: I Am Everything, a documentary about the influential pop singer; The Pod Generation, a sci-fi film about parenthood starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Emilia Clarke; and Master Gardener, the newest film from writer/director Paul Schrader starring Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver.
The festival will also present its Great Director Tribute to Lasse Hallström in conjunction with a screening of his new film, Hilma. Hallström and stars Tora Hallström (Lasse's daughter) and Lena Olin will participate in a post-screening conversation with film historian Foster Hirsch.
In addition to the feature-length fiction and documentary films, the festival will showcase a variety of short-film programs, including ones devoted to narrative shorts, student shorts, high school shorts, and Texas shorts.
The full schedule can be found on the USA Film Festival website. All tickets are free, but quantities are limited, so advanced reservations are recommended.
Reservations can be made by calling 214-821-6300. USA Film Festival members will have the first crack at tickets starting April 7, and tickets will open up to the general public on April 13. Phone lines will be open from 10:30 am to 5 pm, Monday- Friday.
A limited number of tickets on the day of show will also be available at the Angelika Film Center upstairs sales desk beginning one hour prior to each showtime.
Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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