DIFF | Dallas International Film Festival

NEWSREEL | JANUARY 2024

It's "Action!" Time on the Set of a New Year

and There's Plenty of Film Action Ahead . . .

So, Get Out Your Calendars and

Welcome to January with DIFF

The Dallas International Film Festival is coming April 26 - May 2, 2024! Take a look at what film buffs and filmmakers had to say in the DIFF 2023 Sizzle Reel, and get ready to join us for the action in 2024.

BUY A PASS
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DIFF JANUARY MIXER

Four Corners Brewing Co.

Wednesday, January 10 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Make plans now to be there for the DIFF January Mixer. No program, no agenda -- just a time to make new friends with fellow movie lovers and the DIFF film community at the home of our long-time beer sponsor, Four Corners Brewing Company.


DIFF Monthly Mixers are BYOB (Buy-Your-Own-Beverage)

Registered guests are entered for giveaways

from DIFF sponsors and friends.

MIXER RSVP

DIFF INSIDE FILM with

OUT OF ORDER STUDIOS

Violet Crown Cinema Dallas

Monday, January 22 | 7:00 pm

Join us at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 22, 2024, for DIFF INSIDE FILM with the award-winning directors and producers from Out of Order Studios, part of the DIFF educational screening and talk series for film students. The program includes a screening of works by Out of Order Studios, followed by a Q&A.


Admission is complimentary for students, parents and instructors. Reservations are required.


PANELIST BIOS:


KERRI NAVARRO, is an award-winning producer based in Dallas, Texas. Over the past 15 years, she has produced feature films, short films, broadcast radio, television, and creative content for Fortune 500 companies. While producing WFAA’s The Gordon Keith Show, she took home a Lone Star Emmy Award. She is co-producer and production manager for The Chosen television series. Kerri is a leader in the DFW production community and has served as President of the Dallas Producers Association and Vice President of Women in Film Dallas.


ERIN GARDNER is a Lone Star Emmy® Award winning producer who focuses her talents on brand engagement and narrative production. She has supported storytelling for American Airlines, TRG, AT&T, Sally Beauty and ABC. In her spare time, she writes puppet shows for her church.


CHAD GUNDERSEN’s producing career began over 25 years ago while in college at the University of North Texas. While there, Chad co-founded Night & Day Films in 2000 and made numerous award winning commercials, music videos and short films. Going out on his own in 2006, Chad started Gundersen Entertainment where he worked alongside studios like 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate and Sony to produce multiple life-changing films. Some of his more notable projects include Like Dandelion Dust starring Academy Award Winner Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper, The Trial starring Matthew Modine, Hoovey starring Patrick Warburton and Lauren Holly, as well as the children’s animated series, Owlegories. In 2015, along with producer Chris Juen, Chad started Out of Order Studios, where they have produced numerous TV shows, animated projects and feature films, including the ground-breaking TV series, The Chosen.


For the last 25 years CHRIS JUEN has been involved in many studio tent pole films for both Visual Effects and Animation while working at Sony Pictures. In 2004, after playing a key role on Robert Zemeckis's Polar Express, he made the jump from Live Action to CG Animation. He played a crucial role in helping to setup the new Sony Pictures Animation Division. While at Sony his credits included Co-Producer on hits like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Arthur Christmas, as well as Digital Producer of the animated films Surf's Up and The Polar Express. Juen is also credited as the Visual Effects Producer on Beowulf and a Visual Effects Producer on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. In 2015, along with producer Chad Gundersen, Chris started Out of Order Studios, where they have produced numerous TV shows, animated projects and feature films, including the ground-breaking TV series, The Chosen.


We are grateful to MERCURY ONE, OM FILMS/THE NIRAJ BHATIA FOUNDATION and VIOLET CROWN CINEMA DALLAS, sponsors of the January presentation of DIFF INSIDE FILM.

STUDENT + TEACHER RSVP

DENTON BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

Wednesday - Sunday, January 24 - 28

DIFF is proud to be a Community Partner to the 2024 Denton Black Film Festival, held in person January 24-28 and virtually until February 5. DBFF has grown into a five-day event that showcases Black cinema, music, spoken word, art and more. This year, the festival focus is "highlighting the importance of sharing and celebrating Joy within the Black community and beyond. The celebration of positivity, freedom, and the fulfillment of being yourself". For the Festival Schedule, Film Guide, Pass and Ticket Information, click below.

DBFF DETAILS

PULSE ON POLITICS:

MARK MCKINNON ON THE UPCOMING ELECTION

Thursday, February 15 | 7:00 pm

CRESCENT CLUB

On February 15, the World Affairs Council will host Mark McKinnon, American political advisor, media columnist, co-host and co-founder of SHOWTIME’s The Circus.


This topical program, entitled Pulse on Politics: Mark McKinnon on the Upcoming Election, will be the Council’s third Dialogue for Democracy. With McKinnon’s knack for innovative political coverage and pulse on the emerging era of presidential politics, attendees are in for a noteworthy discussion on the political present and near-future.


Members of the DIFF community (who may be familiar with McKinnon as a consultant for the HBO series The Newsroom and Netflix's House of Cards) receive the discounted member rate of $38 by using the link below and choosing "Cooperating Organization".

TICKETS

DIFF "TALKING PICTURES" PODCAST

If you love movies as much as we do—and we know you do—tune in to the DIFF TALKING PICTURES podcast as host James Faust, Artistic Director of the Dallas International Film Festival, takes deep dives into movies with the people making them. And the people watching them. It’s your chance to get unique perspectives and insights into the world of films.

Episode 5: NIVEN IS DRIVEN

In this episode of Talking Pictures, James sits down with director Norry Niven, whose trophy mantle includes 6 Emmys. They talk everything from Norry’s early film exploits recreating TV commercials to what it’s like directing JLo to his super bowl spots. Norry discusses directing features vs TV commercials and dives deep on one of his passions—blowing things up.

SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCASTS

CELEBRATE NATIONAL POPCORN DAY ON JANUARY 19


Our friends at DYST Candle remind us that January 19 is National Popcorn Day -- a great time to treat yourself or a movie-loving friend to their popular candle, THE POPCORN.


DYST gives a generous portion of sales from their line of fun film- + celebrity-themed gifts to benefit DIFF when you order with the link in the SHOP button. So, grab THE POPCORN, and thank you!

SHOP

DIFF 2024 FILM + SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN

Regular Deadline is January 29, 2024

Filmmakers and Screenwriters! Submit your film or screenplay today to be a part of the Dallas International Film Festival in 2024.

We extend SPECIAL THANKS to our 2023 SPONSORS

and invite you to join them in 2024!

DIFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 as Dallas Film Society, Inc. DIFF hosts year-round programs including an educational screening and talk series for area high school students with industry professionals; free advance screenings of new films for subscribers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters; film series in collaboration with community partners; and other unique events ranging from film premieres to classic film anniversary celebrations. The signature program of DIFF is the Dallas International Film Festival, held annually in the spring.

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