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Mar 27, 2008 9:39 pm US/Central
Lights, Camera, Action: AFI Film Fest Underway
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The
AFI Dallas International Film Festival got underway Thursday night.
It's year two of the festival, and there's no question that AFI Dallas is bigger with 260 films from 35 countries.
"Getting to be part of a festival in the city where I have worked many times and where I have been welcomed as well is a huge honor," said Oscar-winning actor Helen Hunt.
But is AFI Dallas better in year two? Dallas Observer film critic Robert Wilonski seems to think so.
"For a second year film festival, it's impressive," he said. "Regardless of how you slice it, regardless of where you hold it and regardless of who's here and who's not here, it's just impressive."
Wilonsky said it's not just the number of films, but the quality of films that has put AFI Dallas on the map.
AFI signed a three-year deal with Dallas, with the understanding that if the festival flopped, AFI would likely cut ties.
"I think AFI is going to come here and take a look at what they've done and be very happy with it," said Wilonsky. "I can see no reason why AFI will not continue indefinitely."
Doing well is one thing, but can AFI Dallas become a top five-film festival and join the likes of Toronto, Sundance and Cannes?
To do so, AFI Dallas will have to land more world premiers. The festival also needs to become a place where movie studios actually purchase films. Right now, it's far from that stage, but the potential is there.
"Variety, Hollywood Reporter, all these magazines gave us raves about what we could do," said James Faust, Senior Programmer for AFI Dallas. "We offer Texas hospitality on a larger scale. And with the arts in Dallas doing so much, we sit on the cusp of greatness."
The festival runs through Sunday, April 6.
CBS 11 is covering the action, but we want your help. Write a review of any of the films you see at AFI Dallas and
email them to us at alwayson@ktvt.com. We'll feature them in our
Entertainment Section!
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