The Oak Cliff Film Festival, one of our favorite film festivals out there, proudly returns for its 3rd year starting tonight — “exploring the origin of film” — taking place June 19-22 at the Texas Theatre, Kessler Theater, Bishop Arts Theatre, The Turner House, Jefferson Tower, Oil & Cotton, and The Wild Detectives. As the digital landscape of filmmaking expands and the barriers to entry come down, it’s important to explore the origins of film — specifically, Eadweard Muybridge’s photography experiment that led to it’s invention. From a documentary about STAR TREK legend George Takei, to a 30th Anniversary screening (in 35mm no less) of The Talking Heads doc STOP MAKING SENSE, there’s a lot to do and see. Visit filmoakcliff.com for all the info, or read the official press release below.

The 2014 festival will build a bridge between photography and cinema through a host of the events and interactions that area audiences have come to expect from the OCFF team.

Submissions have increased as the festival has grown and every year it becomes more difficult to select from such an incredible stable (pun intended) of work. The films curated this year are all over the map in terms of genre but all show extraordinary skill and share a focus on craft.

The 3rd year festival has reaffirmed its neighborhood focus. Fest Co-Founder Eric Steele noted that, “Beyond programming, we spent a great deal of time curating the experience of our filmmakers and festival-goers this year — specifically, by partnering with the likes of new book store and bar, The Wild Detectives, and putting a literal spotlight on Jefferson Tower,” by holding a free rooftop screening at the Tower. “The Oak Cliff community has been vital to the success of the festival and we look to this year as being a celebration of our neighborhood.”

Additionally, OCFF has expanded its programming to include journalism. “When Drafthouse Films and Warner Bros. came on board to present a double feature of Sidney Lumet’s DOG DAY AFTERNOON and the real-life ‘Sonny’ doc, THE DOG,” said Co-Founder Adam Donaghey, “it made sense to explore the origins of the story by having a conversation with the writer of the piece that inspired Lumet’s masterpiece.” P.F. Kluge authored the 1972 LIFE Magazine article, “The Boys in the Bank,” and will be in attendance to a lead a discussion.

– Opening night with The Texas Premiere of a new film produced by Sailor Bear Productions/Toby Halbrooks, James Johnston and David Lowery, with director in attendance.

– Special double feature: 35mm presentation of DOG DAY AFTERNOON followed by a DFW-premiere screening of THE DOG, with Life Magazine “The Boys in the Bank” author P.F. Kluge

– Rare 35mm repertory print of Thom Andersen’s 1975 film, ZOOPRAXOGRAPHER, an

– 35mm 30th anniversary screening of Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads doc STOP MAKING SENSE

– Live performance by multi-media music pioneers NEGATIVLAND at the Texas Theatre.

– Closing night with the Texas Premiere of THE BETTER ANGELS, the feature debut from Terrence Malick’s longtime collaborator A.J. Edwards, which focuses on Abraham Lincoln’s

– DFW Premiere of the Sundance hit TO BE TAKEI, which follows LGBT hero George Takei’s journey from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the Starship Enterprise, to the daily news

– Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and New Belgium Brewery head up a two-wheeled adventure

across North Oak Cliff, ending in a free rooftop screening of WILD CANARIES atop Jefferson

– SXSW Audience Choice winner YAKONA follows the rise of the San Marcos river.

– BUZZARD, which might be the best movie featuring Nintendo Power Gloves, hot pockets, and

– Take a journey up a cable car in Nepal in the mesmerizing, 16mm-shot ethno-doc MANAKAMANA, produced at the Harvard Sensory Ethnography Lab.

– Sunday afternoon at the Texas Theatre with Michel Gondry’s new art lovers twee dream

Finally, the OCFF team is excited to unveil the “Muybridge Filmmaking Award.” One filmmaker will receive a Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera package for their next project. Creative Director, Jason Reimer, on the name of the grant as well as choosing the theme for the Festival: “The theme for 2014 reflects a return to the most basic illusion of film. The image.” Reimer says, “Strung together images are the magic trick of film.”

“Dallas is a city that historically supports buildings — not always artists,” said Steele. “We dream that this filmmaking award will grow each year, eventually aiding in launching the Key sponsors for the 2014 festival include: The Loomis Agency / See Spot Run, Dallas Observer, Ketel One, The Coaching Company, Don Julio, Crown Royal, Movietickets.com, Bank of Texas, Sewell Subaru, New Belgium Brewing Co, Kronenbourg 1664, Red Hook Brewing, Community Beer, Oak Cliff Cellars, BlackMagic Design, Alamo Drafthouse DFW, Jim Lake Companies, and local community sponsors and industry partners.

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Background on The Oak Cliff Foundation, Fiscal Sponsor for OCFF 2014

In 2001 The Oak Cliff Foundation purchased the Texas Theatre and began looking for a new permanent tenant. Several areas of the building were renovated and upgraded by the OCF. The Texas Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. In 2010, The Oak Cliff Foundation leased the theater to Aviation Cinemas, Inc. Aviation Cinemas was quick to jump-start operations and continued renovations. The theatre has garnered awards for Best Movie Theater in Dallas by the Dallas Observer and D Magazine and been nominated as Best Music Venue and Best Cocktail In Dallas by D Magazine.

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