Popcorn Parade

A lot of us are still recovering from the inaugural year of the AFI Dallas International Film Festival. We got the chance to run around like chickens with our heads cut off to screenings all over town, stand in lines for hours and rub elbows with the semi-rich and sort of famous, all while seeing some great films that may or may not make it to Dallas theaters. It made us feel special, like we had a golden ticket to the world of film, if only for a week. With all of the hoopla surrounding AFI Dallas, it's easy to forget that Dallas has been a festival city for a while—we get these chances every year, even if we don't always take advantage of them. The USA Film Festival, now entering its 37th year, is already upon us, bringing more than 75 features and shorts to the Angelika Film Center, 5321 Mockingbird Lane. Though not as high profile (there aren't any poolside chats at the W or parties at Ghostbar on the schedule for these guys), the USA Film Festival is still a must for any cinephile. Highlights include the always popular Short Film and Video Competition (whose winners will screen at 7 p.m. Sunday), William Friedkin's paranoid thriller Bug and Waitress, the final film by writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly, staring Keri Russell, Jeremy Sisto and Cheryl Hines, who will be in attendance. The USA Film Festival runs through Thursday, April 26. Tickets are $8 per movie, $7 for festival members. Call 214-821-FILM or visit usafilmfestival.com.
April 19-26