Soul Surfer, starring AnnaSophia Robb, will be featured at the Dallas International Film Festival
Dallas’ very own International Film Festival opens its fifth year this Thursday with a slue of events and honors that are sure to start the star-studded event in grand fashion.
The festival, which runs for 11 days from March 31 to April 10, will feature a total of 157 films representing 26 countries. The DIFF will host nine exclusive world premiere and six U.S. premieres.
Over 1,000 guests will be in attendance to the film festival’s Opening Night Gala, which will take place in the Dallas Arts District.
Receiving one of the festival’s multiple awards, the Dallas Star Award, is Steve James, who has made his career as a producer, director, director of photography and editor of documentaries.
James is the first documentary filmmaker to win the award.
“For the 13 years that I have been involved in film festivals, a filmmaker that consistently delivers and brings excitement to our audience is Steve James,” Micheal Cain, chairman of the Dallas Film Society Board of Directors, said. “Steve James has a unique ability to delve into the soul of every character in his films and consume his audience in the process.”
Other award honorees for the festival are Ann-Magret and Liener Temerlin.
The gala will also feature the premiere of the Sundance Film Festival standout, “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.” The film, which follows the life of Kevin Clash, the man behind the iconic Sesame Street character, Elmo.
While “Being Elmo” may be the festival’s grand entrance, 156 different films ranging from documentaries to family-friendly films are waiting in the wings to keep the 1-day event up and going.
Here is a breakdown of some of the festival’s best offerings:
Soul Surfer
“Soul Surfer” chronicles the inspirational story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm from a shark attack, and the subsequent trials that she and her family go through in both her physical recovery and her emotional battle to continue surfing. The film stars Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo, Jeremy Sumpter, Ross Thomas, Sonya Balmores Chung and Chris Brochu.
Beautiful Boy
In Shawn Ku’s emotional drama, “Beautiful Boy,” a married couple on the verge of separation struggle to deal with their own personal loss whilst trying to find refuge from the public and the media after their son commits a mass shooting and kills himself. The film stars Michael Sheen, Maria Bello, Alan Tudyk and Moon Bloodgood.
OK BUCKAROOS
Patrick Tourville’s documentary “OK BUCKAROOS” is the story of Jerry Jeff Walker, whose music has led him from the nation’s biggest arenas to hundred-year old honky-tonks. Among those appearing in the documentary are Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson.
