DALLAS — More than 140 films will run as part of the 18th annual Dallas International Film Festival April 25-May 2. While “international” is in the festival’s name, many of the films on offer center stories and characters deeply rooted in the Dallas area.
The eight-day film festival runs from April 25 to May 2.
Here are five films with North Texas roots that you can catch at the Dallas International Film Festival this year:
- “Bastards of Soul”: the documentary about the Dallas soul band of the same name follows the band’s rise to fame and the production of their final studio album “Give It Right Back” during the COVID-19 pandemic before the tragic, unexpected death of frontman Chadwick Murray in 2021. Bastards of Soul came onto the DFW music scene around the spring of 2016 with the ingredients for success. Guitarist Chris Holt has toured with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Don Henley, Mike Campbell, and Max Weinberg, bassist Danny Balis had a successful solo career after years of playing in bands like Sorta and Sparrows, and pianist Chad Stockslager has long been part of Dallas’ music scene, playing with bands like The Drams, Hard Night’s Day, and the King Bucks. Murray had long been a bass player before he took over as frontman of the band. They released their debut album with Dallas-based Eastwood Music Group in 2019. The documentary is directed by Paul Levatino, a familiar face in the Dallas music scene who’s worked with the likes of Erykah Badu. The 82-minute film “provides an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the band’s final recording sessions, their lives,” and the electric energy they command on stage. The audience is given a fly-on-the-wall perspective, particularly during the production of their last studio album “Give It Right Back.” “Bastards of Soul” will screen at 7 p.m. April 27 at the Texas Theatre downstairs. The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
- “Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot”: The ESPN Films “30 for 30” documentary about the Frisco-based YouTube stars with more than 60 million subscribers Dude Perfect, known for their videos of hard-to-believe trick shots, makes its world premiere as the opening night film of the Dallas International Film Festival. The story follows the rise of the five “dudes” from Texas A&M University from their viral trick shot videos during the early days of YouTube to their attempt at setting the world record for the highest basketball shot more than 800 feet over the Las Vegas strip, and more. “ESPN Film’s documentary about the incredible story of Dude Perfect is the perfect way, literally, to kick off this year’s festival,” said DIFF artistic director Jeff Faust. “The Dudes have an enormous global fan base. Having the world premiere of their film at the Majestic for DIFF opening night will be special – marking our fifth time to open the Festival at this iconic venue.” The show’s premiere comes shortly after the sports/comedy troupe announced plans to leave their current Frisco headquarters for a new $3 million space. “Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot” premieres at 7:30 p.m. April 25 at the Majestic Theatre. The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
- “Dark Sanctuary: The Story of the Church”: The documentary about the now-shuttered, historic Deep Ellum goth club tells the story of the community that formed during the club’s nearly three-decade existence. The Church shared the now-vacant former trolley repair station at 2424 Swiss Avenue with its alter ego The Lizard Lounge, and both closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Throughout its history, the likes of The Cure, Trent Reznor, and the Pet Shop Boys, and many more graced the venue. The documentary tells the story of the club, touted as one of the longest-running goth clubs in the U.S., through interviews with famous musicians, local bands and patrons. It centers on the club’s DJ-in-residence, Joe Virus, and his journey from aspiring musician to DJ on the mainstage for more than 20 years. The 86-minute documentary screens at 10 p.m. April 28 at Violet Crown in auditorium 5.
- “City of Hate: Dallas and the Assassination 60 Years Later”: The documentary focuses on what Dallas was like when President John F. Kennedy was preparing to visit the city in 1963. It’s told by people who lived through it, including filmmaker Quin Mathews, who saw Kennedy just before he was assassinated. The 60-minute documentary will screen at 5 p.m. April 26 at Violet Crown in auditorium 2. There will be a question-and-answer session after the film.
- “Texas Music Revolution”: The documentary follows Joshua Jones, the general manager of the Dallas Americana radio station KHYI-FM as he produced the Texas Music Revolution, an annual festival meant to showcase and introduce new musicians to local listeners. Filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, "Texas Music Revolution" follows Jones as he organizes the festival’s 25th anniversary. The film features performances by Ray Wylie Hubbard, Charley Crockett, Joshua Ray Walker, Kiefer Sutherland, The Derailers, and more. The documentary is Troy Paff’s feature debut as director. Paff is best known for “Dirty Jobs” with Mike Rowe, which received two Emmy nominations for cinematography. "Texas Music Revolution" screens at 4 p.m. April 27 at the Texas Theatre downstairs and 4 p.m. May 1 at Violet Crown in auditorium 4. There will be a question-and-answer session after the screening.
In addition to the screenings, the festival question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers and actors, red carpets, and more.
Grand Jury Prizes for DIFF 2024 will be awarded for Best Texas Short Film, Best Texas Feature, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Student Film within the Shorts Competition. Additionally, Audience Awards will be given for Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, and Best Short Film. There will also be a Dallas County Historical Commission Prize for Best Historical Film.
Other film categories and tracks will include Music, Sports, World Films, Latino Films, Canadian Films, Family Films, Indigenous Films, LGBTQIA+, Persons with Disabilities, Environment/Sustainability, and Midnight Films, among others.
For more information and to get passes, visit the Dallas International Film Festival’s website.