It Came From Texas Film Festival

Garland Cultural Arts presents the third annual IT CAME FROM TEXAS Film Festival at the Plaza Theatre in downtown Garland. The festival celebrates three award-winning, Texas-made films, and all “True Texas Tales” including:  BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967), THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007) and THE ALAMO (1960) with documentaries of THE REAL GREAT DEABATERS (2008) and JFK: BREAKING THE NEWS (2003) while adding levity with BERNIE (2011), VIVA MAX! (1969) and a Secret Screening with live riffing by Mocky Horror Picture Show

Festival Director, Kelly Kitchens, and Film Historian, Gordon K. Smith have curated a collection of films relating back to a theme of “True Texas Tales” with special guest speakers - authors, historians, experts and, in some cases, family members - to the ICFTX 2025 lineup to add nuance, context, and depth to the fest.

ICFTX ALL ACCESS PASSES - See 9 movies on the "Big Screen" for $75!
Passes available HERE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Plaza Theatre Opens at 11:30 a.m. with General Admission Seating at 12:00 p.m.
BERNIE (2011) Director Richard Linklater
12:30 p.m. - Feature ($15 individual tickets)
Purchase Single Tickets HERE

Likeable, small-town mortician becomes enamored with a wealthy widow in this dark comedy featuring an ensemble cast of screen legends.

In attendance:
Skip Hollandsworth -  a journalist whose story on Bernie Tiede in Texas Monthly magazine led to him becoming a screenwriter with Richard Linklater.

Larry Jack Dotson, actor, played Rev. Woodard

JFK DEEP DIVE INTO TRUE TEXAS FILM FOOTAGE
3:00 p.m. - Documentary and Panel ($10 individual tickets)
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Includes footage from G William Jones Film Archives at the SMU Libraries and The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to present a co-production of KERA and The Sixth Floor Museum's documentary: JFK: BREAKING THE NEWS (2003)

Looking back over 40 years, television and print journalists recall their stories and memories of reporting the murder of President Kennedy and how it changed the country and changed the way the public gets its news.

Footage courtesy of SMU Libraries, G. William Jones Film & Video Collection, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and KERA

In attendance:

Dr. Sean Griffin - a Professor in the SMU Meadows Division of Film and Media Arts, has written numerous books on film and television history. 

Farris Rookstool III - Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and Emmy & Peabody award winner and International Documentary Association - Distinguished winner, who is also a former FBI Analyst and JFK assassination expert

With intro by Stephen Fagin, Head of Curatorial, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007) Feature Film and THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS (2008) Documentary
6:30 p.m. Feature and Documentary with Panel ($20 individual tickets)
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THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007) Director Denzel Washington

Chronicles the travails of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Texas as they explore the challenges of racial strife and the power of their voices for social change.

In attendance:

Coach Ernest Mack - Wiley University Debate Coach, head coach, leading teams to numerous victories and helping students develop critical thinking and public speaking abilities

THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS (2008) Director Brad Osborne
The story that inspired the film. The achievement that inspired a nation.

In attendance:

Brad Osborne – Director with AMS Pictures, writer, editor, narrator, musician.

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