First 15 Films Named for This Year's Dallas International Film Fest

Lawrence Kasdan’s first film in nine years, "Darling Companion," is one of the first 15 titles named for the line-up of this year’s Dallas International Film Festival which returns April 12. The movie will be making its Texas premiere here. Kasdan, best known as a director of such lauded works as "Body Heat," "The Big Chill," and "Grand Canyon" and as the writer of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Empire Strikes Back," was last in theaters with the film "Dreamcatcher" in 2003.

"Darling Companion," starring Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, and Dianne West, is a comedic drama about a man who loses his wife’s beloved dog.

Animator/author/illustrator Glen Keane is being named the honoree for the Texas Avery Animation Award. Keane was involved with such films as "Tangled," "The Little Mermaid," and "Beauty and the Beast."

The other films announced are: "America’s Parking Lot" — Jonny Mars’ documentary revolves around the friendships formed at the renowned Gate 6 tailgate party during Dallas Cowboys games at dear departed Texas Stadium in Irving.

"Andrew Bird: Fever Year" — Singer-songwriter Andrew Bird has enjoyed astonishing success on the indie-pop scene in recent years and Xan Aranda’s documentary captures him on the road.

"Atomic States of America" — This documentary takes a look at the safety of communities near nuclear plants across the country.

"Biba! One Island, 879 Votes" — The Pacific island of Tinian, the launch point for the Enola Gay during WWII and the subject of this doc, is now in the midst of a political firestorm.

"Bindlestiffs" — Independent comedy about three high-school students determined to live out "The Catcher in the Rye" even though they’ve not read it.

"The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best"— Ryan O’Nan, Andrew McCarthy, Melissa Leo, Wilmer Valderrama, and Jason Ritter star in this drama about a singer-songwriter.

"Cinema Six" — Shot in Austin, this indie focuses on three friends who work at a movie theater but are restless to do something more.

"Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" — It seems there’ve been quite a few documentaries about the fashion world lately — think "The September Issue," "Bill Cunningham’s New York" — and here’s the latest one, this time focusing on Harpers Bazaar editor Diana Vreeland.

"Escape Fire: The Right to Rescue American Healthcare" — Documentary about the state of American healthcare.

"Girl Model" -- Documentary, told through the eyes of a 13 year-old model, about the global modeling industry.

"Luv" — Michael Rainey, Jr., Common, Danny Glover, and Charles S. Dutton star in this feature about a shy teenager and his troubled uncle.

"Sibonia" — Wes Cunningham, Jeremy Sisto, Courtney Ford, Amy Acker, and Robyn Lively star in this drama about a singer who gives up the L.A. life for small-town Texas.

"Tormented" — This is a Japanese/Dutch co-production about a young boy whose world is slowly unraveling and whose stuffed toy rabbit comes to life.

"Where Do We Go Now?" — This is a drama about women in a Lebanese village take it upon themselves to quell tensions between local Christians and Muslims.

The festival runs through April 22 at various locations including the Landmark Magnolia and Angelika Dallas. Festival passes and tickets for the opening night screening and party are currently on sale. Call 214 720-0555 or log on to dallasfilm.org for more details.