USA Film Festival

The USA Film Festival is a Dallas-based, 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of excellence in the film and video arts through the presentation of diverse cultural and educational programs.

Schedule

7:00pm - Girls Will Be Gir
In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, Mira is a successful student shouldering high expectations from her parents and her teachers. But as she wrestles with new desires and ample curiosity inspired by the handsome Sri, she finds herself at odds with the school’s strict rules and her mother’s incessant involvement in her new romance. As Mira strives to escape the watchful eyes of her teachers, mother, and fellow students to find time alone with Sri, Mira approaches learning about love with the same dedication that she applies to her studies -- resulting in sometimes comic and shocking conclusions. Shuchi Talati’s captivating debut feature is not only a beautiful coming-of-age story but a sensitive exploration of female desire and observation of how conservative cultures can entrap women under strict expectations and norms. The film will be released by Juno Films this Fall. Special thanks to our guests from Asian Film Festival Dallas. 118mins.

7:00pm - Laroy, Texas
Broke and depressed, Ray (John Magaro) is mistaken for a dangerous hitman and given an envelope of cash. Along with his P.I. friend Skip (Steve Zahn), he must escape the actual hitman tomake it out of LaRoy alive. Writer/director Shane Atkinson’s feature directorial debut is an entertaining, dark comedy crime thriller that also stars Dylan Baker, Megan Stevenson, Matthew Del Negro and Brad Leland. The film will be released by Brainstorm Media.
112mins.

7:00pm - Last Night On Earth
Faced with the imminent destruction of Earth by a planet-killing asteroid, Holly (Leven Rambin) and Ryan (Jake McLaughlin) flee to the serene mountains of Tennessee to spend their last few days together. But the breakdown of society brings out the worst in some -- who disrupt the young couple’s peaceful plans -- turning the last hours of Earth to be a race against time for the couple to be together for the inevitable end. Marcos Efron’s thrilling film also stars Shane West, Dee Wallace, and Sohvi Rodriguez. 86mins

9:30pm - Narrative I Short Films
Join us for a collection of dark, wildly creative films with unexpected outcomes. In Foster Wilson’s 5 STAGES OF GRIEF a woman is stuck in a grief cycle after her cat is euthanized; in Michael Spiccia’s I’M ON FIRE (featuring Jamie-Lynn Sigler) an abusive father is pulled up short by his 12-year-old son; in Gunnur Martinsdóttir Schlüter’s FÁR a woman faces a decision whether to ignore nature or react; in Michael Matsui’s YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, KID a 9-year-old is pursued by an entity in her home; in Patricio Martínez & Francisco Cantón’s NADA DE TODO ESTO a woman’s visceral fixation with wealthy neighbors leads her and her daughter into a sticky situation; in Hugo Becker’s MUKBANGER a young man must decide between a healthy life or social media fame; and in BRICK’s SPAG BOL two crime scene cleaners find themselves entangled in an unlikely romance. 96mins.|

9:30pm - Student Short Films
Join us for a program of new U.S. and international student works including Szu-Wei Chen’s A NEW YEAR’S DANCE which follows a Chinese woman who considers going on a date with a client; in Theo Holt’s A RISK OF LOBSTERS, OR HOW TO KEEP HUMAN a recently fired wearied salary-man’s life is changed after buying a lobster; in Adam Hazelton & Emily Hazelton’s AMERICAN OXYGEN a young woman who requires supplemental oxygen
risks everything to reach a miracle-working televangelist; in Raphaël Hernandez’s RICKSHAW a sudden encounter disrupts a young boy and his family on their ride home; in Weiqi Cai’s END OF SUMMER a young boy copes with his grieving mother over the death of his grandmother; in Eric Wang Schwager’s LUCKY MARKET an elderly Asian grocer must prepare to leave the community she has built; in Shengwei Zhou’s PERFECT CITY: THE
BRAVEST KID a paper boy dreams of a knife-hand chasing him; and in Leo Behrens’ poetic SKIN a man sheds their old skin and embraces their true identity. 99mins.