Garland, September 8, 2025
News Summary
The It Came From Texas Film Festival is back in Garland, showcasing a mix of low-budget sci-fi, horror films, and Hollywood features. Running for three days, the festival will highlight Texas stories under the theme ‘True Texas Tales and Hollywood interpretations.’ The opening film will be Arthur Penn’s classic ‘Bonnie and Clyde.’ Attendees can expect panels with notable guests and a diverse lineup that balances classic and independent films, fostering local film culture.
Garland: It Came From Texas Film Festival Returns for Third Edition
The It Came From Texas Film Festival returns to Garland for its third edition, running September 12–14 at the Plaza Theatre, 521 State St. The three-day event will showcase a mix of locally made, low-budget science fiction and horror films alongside independent features and Hollywood titles under this year’s theme, True Texas Tales and Hollywood interpretations. An opening-night screening of Arthur Penn’s 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde will kick off the festival.
Key details
The festival focuses on films that highlight Texas stories and the ways Hollywood has interpreted or adapted those stories. Ticketing options include a $75 all-access pass and $10–$20 individual tickets for single screenings. Programming for the festival was selected by programmer Kelly Kitchens Wickersham, who chose the theme on a spontaneous basis and emphasized her interest in history, movies, and uncovering true stories that inspired films.
Featured screenings and program highlights
In addition to the opening feature, the schedule includes a range of Hollywood and independent works that engage with Texas history and personalities. Titles on the program include Richard Linklater’s Bernie, Denzel Washington’s drama The Great Debaters, and John Wayne’s Western The Alamo, the latter being shown on the Plaza Theatre’s big screen for the first time in years. The festival’s selection balances classic studio productions with smaller, locally produced genre films.
Panels, guests and discussions
Programming will include on-stage discussions and contextual events featuring historians, authors, and family members of notable figures tied to the films. Confirmed attendees and contributors include a niece of Bonnie Parker, John Wayne’s granddaughter, Bernie screenwriter Skip Hollandsworth, and Stephen Fagin, head of curatorial at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Organizers say these sessions are intended to connect cinematic portrayals with historical record and personal memory.
Venue, schedule and logistics
Screenings and events will take place at the Plaza Theatre, located at 521 State St. in downtown Garland. The three-day festival runs from Thursday through Saturday, with each day including multiple screenings and at least one panel or conversation. Ticket holders with all-access passes will be granted entry to special sessions in addition to film screenings; single-ticket purchases cover individual screenings only.
Future planning
Organizers are already planning future iterations of the festival, with concepts mentioned for a Comedies and Cartoons program titled Animated Antics slated for 2026. The festival’s focus on melding local filmmaking with broader cinematic history is expected to continue as a recurring thread in future themes.
Contributors and coverage
The festival’s programming and promotional materials list contributions from independent journalists and writers. One named contributor, Kendall Morgan, has a background that includes work for culinary and local publications. The festival also draws curatorial expertise from regional museum staff and film scholars to shape its panel topics and historical framing.
How the festival fits local film culture
It Came From Texas has positioned itself as a venue for low-budget and independent genre filmmakers to reach local audiences while juxtaposing those works with Hollywood productions rooted in Texas narratives. The festival’s emphasis on historical context, family perspectives, and curatorial presentations aims to make cinematic interpretations of Texas stories part of a broader community conversation.
FAQ
What are the dates and location of the festival?
The festival runs September 12–14 at the Plaza Theatre, 521 State St., Garland, Texas.
What is the theme for this year?
This year’s theme is “True Texas Tales and Hollywood interpretations,” highlighting films based on Texas stories and how Hollywood has depicted them.
Which films will be shown?
Featured films include Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bernie, The Great Debaters, and The Alamo, along with locally made science fiction, horror, and independent films.
Who is organizing the programming?
Programmer Kelly Kitchens Wickersham selected this year’s theme and curated the lineup, with additional input from historians and curators.
Are there panels or discussions?
Yes. The festival includes discussions with historians, authors, and relatives of individuals connected to the films, as well as curatorial remarks from museum staff.
Who are some notable attendees?
Notable attendees include a niece of Bonnie Parker, John Wayne’s granddaughter, Bernie screenwriter Skip Hollandsworth, and Stephen Fagin from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
How much do tickets cost?
All-access passes are priced at $75. Individual screening tickets are priced between $10 and $20 each.
Will there be future festivals?
Organizers are planning future events and have proposed a “Comedies and Cartoons” program titled Animated Antics for 2026.
Festival at a glance
| Feature | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Event | It Came From Texas Film Festival | 3rd edition |
| Dates | September 12–14 | Three-day schedule |
| Location | Plaza Theatre, 521 State St., Garland | Historic downtown venue |
| Theme | True Texas Tales and Hollywood interpretations | Chosen by programmer Kelly Kitchens Wickersham |
| Opening film | Bonnie and Clyde (1967) | Opening-night screening |
| Ticketing | $75 all-access; $10–$20 individual | Passes include special sessions |
| Notable guests | Family members of featured figures, writers, curators | Panel appearances scheduled |
| Future theme | Comedies and Cartoons — Animated Antics | Planned for 2026 |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: It Came From Texas Film Festival
- IndieWire: And Just Like That – Mario Cantone
- Spokesman: Fly Fishing Films in Garland
- Hollywood Reporter: Nia DaCosta’s The Bone Temple
- Desert Sun: Liza Minnelli Documentary at Palm Springs Film Festival
- Wikipedia: Texas Film
- Google Search: It Came From Texas Film Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film
- Google Scholar: Texas Film Festival
- Google News: Texas Film Festival
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