USA Film Festival Preview 2025

by | Apr 21, 2025 | Festivals, Movies | 0 comments

USA FILM FESTIVAL 2025
April 23-27, 2025
Angelika Film Center, Dallas

There may be no such thing as a Free Lunch, but thanks to the USA Film Festival, there is something even better … FREE MOVIES! Of course, not all screenings are held at no charge, yet this remains an affordable and entertaining festival experience for all film lovers.

Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the festival has long been one of my favorites due to the schedule of diverse films: narratives, documentaries, shorts, students, and experimental. Mix in a selection of repertory films, attendance by a slew of filmmakers and celebrities, and the annual tributes to industry icons, and you quickly see why this Dallas-based festival holds a special place in my heart.

This year’s opening night event on April 23 is “The World of Nancy Kwan – A Salute to Nancy Kwan”. The breakout star of THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG (1960) will participate in a book signing and an on-stage conversation, following a career retrospective including clips of her performances in film and television. Also on opening day, there is a Salute to renowned director Jon Avnet with a screening of his new film, THE LAST RODEO. Mr. Avnet will attend along with the film’s co-stars, Neal McDonough and Mykelti Williamson. All three were involved with the fantastic TV series, “Justified” and “Boomtown”, and Mr. Avnet is known for having directed FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1991), as well as Broadway plays.

Other highlights on the festival schedule include Beth Lane’s powerful documentary UnBROKEN, a look at how the Holocaust impacted her own family (with Q&A session); Mitch Yapko’s short film WATCHING WALTER featuring Ft Worth’s own Stephen Tobolowsky in the title role (director and star in attendance); William Shockley’s directorial debut, LONG SHADOWS, a western with an impressive cast; director Daniel Minahan’s stunning ON SWIFT HORSES (based on the novel by Shannon Pufahl) with another tremendous cast; and Jason Buxton’s psychological thriller, SHARP CORNER starring Ben Foster.

That’s just a quick taste of what’s coming, along with other feature films, documentaries, and short films. In a perfect example of what sets this festival apart, actor Martin Kove will attend and be honored at a special 50th anniversary screening of the cult classic, DEATH RACE 2000 (1975). The closing night film will be the soon-to-be-released TONIC from local filmmakers, writer-director Derek Presley and editor Jason Starne. Filmed entirely in Dallas’ Deep Ellum area, the film covers a rough night of what-else-can-go-wrong for a washed-up pianist played by Billy Blair.

USA Film Festival excels in offering a diverse festival experience with something for everyone.
For more details and to view the full schedule of programs, visit
https://www.usafilmfestival.com/
 
Tickets range from Free – $10 (quantities are limited).
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/55th-annual-usa-film-festival-4150893
 
DAY-OF-SHOW TICKETS — (Based on availability) Any unsold/unreserved tickets will be made available  at the Angelika Film Center upstairs Sales Desk beginning ONE HOUR prior to EACH showtime.

David Ferguson
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