The 15th Oak Cliff Film Festival was a heartfelt celebration of cinema and the vibrant Oak Cliff neighborhood. Held over the first weekend of August, this festival transformed the intersection of Jefferson and Zang boulevards into a hub of film culture, featuring both feature-length and short films, many accompanied by engaging Q&As with filmmakers, workshops, and festive gatherings. The community embraced this cinematic tribute with enthusiasm.
Over four days, hundreds of film lovers flocked to various venues hosting the festival’s diverse programming. While locations such as Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Kessler Theater, and Oak Cliff Cultural Center participated, Texas Theatre emerged as the standout venue.
With its iconic white stucco façade, vintage red velvet seating, and hand-painted movie posters, Texas Theatre set the stage for the festival’s opening night with a screening of the feature film The Sun Never Sets. The venue also hosted a well-attended Q&A session after the festival’s finale screening of Pulp Fiction, where co-screenwriter Robert Avery engaged with the audience.
For those who missed the festival, there’s good news: Q&As with filmmakers are not exclusive to OCFF. Texas Theatre regularly hosts special events featuring creative discussions. Past events have included screenings with local filmmakers, enhancing the cinematic experience for attendees. After the screening of Pulp Fiction, Avery expressed his fondness for Texas Theatre, stating he would gladly return.
The OCFF also showcased Texas Theatre’s unique offerings, including a silent film screening of the animated classic The Adventures of Prince Achmed, accompanied by a live score from the Anvil Orchestra. Previous silent film events at the venue have featured titles like Nosferatu, performed by The Invincible Czars, who will return on October 30.
Audiences responded warmly to each film, sharing laughter over comedic moments, engaging with the darker themes of modern classics, and wiping away tears during poignant documentaries. North Texas horror director Bradley Steele Harding remarked on the impressive variety of films presented this year, highlighting the emotional impact of David Kittredge’s documentary Boorman and the Devil, which left many in tears.
Among the festival’s offerings, Boorman and the Devil stood out by exploring the infamous backlash against Exorcist II: The Heretic. The documentary recounts how a theater audience turned into a mob, chasing out the filmmakers after a disastrous screening. Director John Boorman reflects on how the film’s marketing misrepresented its tone, leading to its failure, while interviews with stars like Linda Blair and horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan provide additional insights.
Another notable entry was Cramps! A Period Piece, a horror/comedy that serves as a metaphor for the director’s experience with endometriosis. Written, directed, and starring Brooke H. Cellars, the film follows a hairstylist who navigates her menstrual struggles in a surreal and humorous way, ultimately winning the festival’s Narrative Feature award.
Fears of a Clown provided a unique perspective on phobias, centering on an elderly clown striving to open the world’s largest clown museum while managing his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Director Bart Vandever shared during the Q&A that he maintains contact with the film’s subject, Steve, who felt relieved to finally share his story.
The festival also featured The Sun Never Sets, which chronicles a complicated love triangle involving characters played by Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, and Cory Michael Smith. Director Joe Swanberg revealed that the film’s premise was inspired by true events, though set in Anchorage, Alaska. Despite the emotional turmoil depicted, the film balances humor and tenderness, underscoring life’s complexities.
This year, the Oak Cliff Film Festival saw a nearly 50% increase in revenue compared to last year’s record, indicating a promising future for the event in the coming years.
For those looking to catch these films at home or in theaters, Boorman and the Devil will have a national release on September 4, with Houston being the closest city for screenings. Meanwhile, the classic Pulp Fiction can be streamed on multiple platforms or experienced in person at IPIC Theater in Fairview. The Sun Never Sets will also have a wider release starting August 28, with further screenings likely at Texas Theatre.
