Family Day at the Dallas International Film Festival

The Dallas International Film Festival presented by
Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers announces events for Family Day

Dallas, TX, April 4, 2012 – The Dallas International Film Festival presented by Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers announced today the line-up for its free Family Day celebration. Presented by the East Dallas Christian Church, Family Day will kick off Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at NorthPark’s CenterPark, and will run until the end of a free outdoor screening of ET: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL in CenterPark at sundown.

Family Day is a time to entertain and educate the youngest filmgoers. With a bit of carnival flair, Family Day revolves around DIFF’s screenings of several family films from around the world at AMC NorthPark. In addition, musicians, artists, performers and storytellers will entertain the entire family, and children can participate in educational arts and crafts projects.

“We are delighted to once again present our free Family Day to the public,” said Renee Contreras, director of education, membership and outreach for the Dallas Film Society. “It’s so enjoyable to share the art of film with young cinema buffs and their families, and we are looking forward to a day full of fun and learning.”

Entertainment throughout the day will include Zumba Gals, a Latin-inspired, dance fitness class; Yogiños: Yoga for Youth presented by the Crow Collection of Asian Art; the award-winning Dallas Tap Dazzlers, a group of jazz-tap dancers with an average age of 65; a performance and instruction session from the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers; The Dallas Zoo’s Animal Adventures; story time with The Dallas Public Library; a ballet performance from The Dallas Conservatory; a performance from Barefoot Wines’ Eric Dorton’s band Frankie; a bounce house; face painters and a chess class in support of the DIFF film BROOKLYN CASTLE.

Another family-friendly activity is Heart, Hope, Healing Day: an H3 Celebration. Presented by Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in partnership with the American Heart Association’s GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign, volunteers will be present at all the festival venues throughout the day to encourage audiences to get a glucose and cholesterol health screening.

In exchange for the check up, every person will receive a DALLAS IFF screening voucher worth $10 and if anyone wears red that day they will receive $2 off a same day ticket or free entry from the rush line. Additionally, the first 200 people to donate $5 to the American Heart Association GO RED FOR WOMEN at the Baylor health screening locations will receive a free DIFF film screening voucher.
In addition to an abundance of activities, Family Day features the following ticketed movie screenings at AMC NorthPark:

12:00PM
OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (Japan) – Texas Premiere
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Having lost her mother, Haruka is now a 16-year-old girl and feels neglected by her father. She escapes to her grandmother's house and discovers a fox-like creature who steals her keys. She follows him and is transported into a magical world. Starring Haruka Ayase, Miyuki Sawashiro, Mitsuki Tanimura, Naho Toda and Nao Ohmori.

2:30PM
FIRST POSITION (USA) – Texas Premiere
Director: Bess Kargman
A documentary that follows six young ballet dancers as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix.

5:00PM
COWGIRLS N’ ANGELS (USA) – World Premiere
Director: Timothy Armstrong
A group of rodeo trick-riders recruits a young girl to join them. Stars Jackson Rathbone, James Cromwell, Bailee Madison, Alicia Witt, Drew Waters and Frankie Faison.

8:00PM, free outdoor screening in CenterPark
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, USA)
Director: Steven Spielberg
A meek and alienated little boy finds a stranded extraterrestrial. He has to find the courage to defy the authorities to help the alien return to its home planet. Stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton and Drew Barrymore.
Family Day is open to everyone. Tickets for the Dallas International Film Festival are currently on sale at the Prekindle Box Office in the Festival Village at Mockingbird Station at 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln., Suite 105. Passes are for sale and range from $100 for a Festival Lounge Pass to $750 for an all-access Star Pass. To purchase tickets and passes telephone the Prekindle Box Office at 972-707-0838 or visit: www.DallasFilm.org. For further information about the Dallas Film Society telephone 214.720.0555.