From personal experience, here are some tips and considerations about how to attend the Dallas International Film Festival, starting next Thursday, April 8th.
1. Pick the films you plan to attend well; take everything into consideration
Some of these venues are very close together like the Dallas Angelika on Mockingbird and the Magnolia that’s located only a couple of exits after it on Central Expressway. But take into account traffic conditions, especially on weekends, parking conditions, and crowds. The fact that there might be a twenty minute lapse between when a movie at the Angelika ends and when one begins at the Magnolia may seem like ample time to move about but there is likely always delays. It is painful for your pocketbook to pay an advance $10 for a ticket and not be able to attend.
2. If you are planning on attending a film where a director/producer/speaker is present, plan a question to ask them!
You get out of DIFF what you put into it. This is 10 days of total immersion in an art form that has some distinctive American elements to it. If you bought a ticket for an event where there will be a director or producer speaking, go ahead and try to think of a question. Look into his or her previous works and consider the aspects of the film you will see. If you take a chance and think of question, you’ll likely be a part of a thoughtful, engaging conversation. We want these speakers to continue to consider coming back to Dallas for years to come and the best way to do that is show them that we appreciate their art.
3. Take the DART!
Take the DART to the Dallas Angelika, Magnolia, or the Dallas Museum of Art. An all day pass is $3. It will save you a lot of anxiety and stress in the parking lot and hoping on the train gives you more options in regards to dining in case your first choice is full, which is very likely. You can just hope right back on the train and go to the next station. Look at the schedule before hand; the trains come about every 10 to 15 minutes.
More tips to come!
Comments
Hey Rachel
I'm an Examiner in Los Angeles, and I wanted to talk about an indie film that is opening in Dallas on the 9th. If you can, email me at agtortillas@gmail.com
Thanks,
Adrienne
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