The USA Film Festival is a Dallas-based, 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of excellence in the film and video arts through the presentation of diverse cultural and educational programs.

Schedule

Opening Night

7:00pm - Thelma
93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) is strong, sturdy and incharge – defying a lifetime of odds as she’s successfully brushed off assisted living into her nineties. But, her independent world is rocked when she falls victim to elder-abusing phone scammers posing as her beloved grandson, Daniel (Fred Hechinger), and regrettably sends them $10,000 in cash. With her family now worried that she’s entering a “new phase,” Thelma decides to do the unthinkable -- confront the scammers and get her money back -- enlisting the help of a reluctant old friend, Ben (Richard Roundtree, in his final on-screen performance), and his highpowered mobility scooter in a perilous mission across Los Angeles to prove she’s just as capable as ever. At once an homage and playful subversion of the action genre, as well as a soulful exploration of aging and autonomy, Thelma celebrates our most senior
generation. Writer/director Josh Margolin’s feature debut is based on a real-life experience of his grandmother and marks Squibb’s
first leading film role of her 70+ year career. An “action” comedy unlike any other, the film also stars Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and Malcolm McDowell. The film will be released by Magnolia Pictures on June 21st. 97mins

7:00pm - Nonfiction Short Films
Join us for a program featuring fascinating true stories showcasing inspirational people. Diane Fredel-Weis’ TO MYSELF, WITH LOVE: THE BESSIE STRINGFIELD STORY is the first film about trailblazer Bessie Stringfield - the first Black woman to ride a motorcycle across the United States. Bessie accomplished this feat in 1930 at the age of 19 during the Jim Crow era and her achievements continue to inspire riders today. Dan Gagliasso’s FILMING
UNDER FIRE: JOHN FORD’S OSS FIELD PHOTO BRANCH is the story of how Hollywood director John Ford and other leading filmmakers -- including Harold Rosson, Gregg Toland, Joe August, Budd Schulberg and Sterling Hayden -- contributed to America’s victory over Nazism and fascism in World War II through their service in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Field Photographic Branch. Andrea von Siebenthal’s MORE THAN BROTHERS
highlights the human cost of political decisions through the personal sacrifices and humanitarian efforts of two Green Berets in a race against time to save the Afghans who kept them safe during their deployments and their Afghan allies whose lives have been uprooted since the withdrawal. 68mins.

7:00pm - Who Is Stan Smith?
From Executive Producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter, Danny Lee’s Who Is Stan Smith? highlights Smith’s tennis accomplishments as well as his humanitarian work off the tennis court: Smith’s relationship with Arthur Ashe heavily inspired his anti-racist activism, as did his later relationship with Black player Mark Mathabane, whom Smith helped escape from apartheid in South Africa. More than the namesake of one of the world’s most iconic sneakers, Stan Smith has lived a champion’s life on and off the tennis court. Chronicling his rise from collegiate superstar to World No.1 and beyond, Smith blazed new paths for athletes, both as a humanitarian and fashion icon. Complete with intimate first-person accounts and dynamic archival materials, Who Is Stan Smith? is a powerful and inspiring portrait of the man behind the shoe that became a movement. The film will be released by Sonder Entertainment on May 17th. 95mins