About

The Dallas Film Society partnered with the American Film Institute in 2006 to create the AFI DALLAS International Film Festival, now known as The Dallas International Film Festival, one of the fastest growing film festivals in the world.

Since 2006, the Dallas Film Society has expanded its scope to include educational programming for future filmmakers, the annual Art of Film fundraising gala that has honored Robert Duvall and John Lithgow, and year-round screening series and cinematic events for the public and DFS members.

The Dallas Film Society is open to anyone who has an interest in films and filmmaking. Join our membership and help us promote the art of filmmaking in Texas.

The Mission

To CELEBRATE films and their impact on society

To HONOR filmmakers and recognize their achievements and contribution in enhancing the creative community

To provide EDUCATIONAL programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today’s world

To PROMOTE the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking

The Dallas International Film Festival

Named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” DIFF has earned its reputation as the Filmmaker’s Festival for its stellar hospitality and dedication to the art.

Since 2006, The Dallas Film Society has featured the finest in American and international cinema through its festival and year round programming:

• More than 10,000 submissions
• 1,163 films from more than 55 countries
• 62 world premieres, 17 U.S. premieres
• 562 features, 616 shorts
• More than 1,000 filmmakers in attendance
• More than $430,000 in awards presented

In addition to presenting independent film, The Festival presents award-winning films and filmmakers to North Texans, including many Academy Award nominees and winners.

“[The Festival] is an important partner, as Dallas realizes its potential as a world arts destination. Our city is home to big dreams, big thinkers and big believers.”
- Mayor Tom Leppert, City of Dallas
Honorary Chair – 2010 DALLAS IFF

DIFF 2011

• The Festival opened in the Dallas Arts District at the Winspear Opera House
• The Dallas Film Society Honors were held at Union Station with multiple honorees receiving the coveted Dallas Star Award
• More than 20,000 people attended screenings at the Festival
• Texas High Schools received more than $30,000 in grants for their film programs
• The Festival awarded more than $85,000 in cash and goods and services to winners in the competition sections.

Our 5th Anniversary Celebration also honored Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Liener Temerlin with the Temerlin Tribute on Opening Night.

“The creative influence of Liener Temerlin has left a mark on the city of Dallas. As Mayor, I have always been proud to be a part of the Dallas International Film Festival, even more so in 2011 when the festival is being dedicated to Liener, a true trailblazer.”
- Mayor Tom Leppert, City of Dallas

The Art of Film

The Dallas Film Society’s annual Fall Gala and Fundraiser, The Art of Film, helps the DFS fulfill its mission. Each year, we honor a filmmaker whose work has had a profound impact on cinema has elevated the art of movie making. The DFS presents these artists to residents of Dallas with a formal dinner, a screening and an intimate conversation with the artist.

2010 honoree: Robert Duvall
2011 honoree: John Lithgow

DFS Leadership

Lynn McBee
Chairman of
the Board

Longtime community leader Lynn McBee has served as Vice Chairman on the DFS Board. She has taken leadership roles at many other Dallas institutions, including chairmanships for The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Tocqueville Society, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Opening Weekend Celebration, the Visiting Nurse Association, TACA, the Cattle Baron’s Ball and many, many more.

McBee is a seventh-generation Texan and is the great, great, great, great-granddaughter of Emily Austin, sister to Stephen F. Austin, The Father of Texas. She received her degree in biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin and has been a consultant for biotech firm New England Biolabs for 19 years and is a principal in GenTest, Texas, exclusive distributor of OncoVue.

 

Lee Papert
President & CEO
Dallas Film Society

Lee Papert is the President and CEO of the Dallas Film Society.

Papert formerly served the Trinity River and Dogwood Canyon Audubon Centers as director of marketing and development. For the 10 years prior to joining the Audubon Centers, Papert was a constant presence in the development of the burgeoning Dallas Arts District. He served as executive director of the Arts District Friends, a marketing and membership organization charged with supporting and creating awareness of Dallas’ truly unique downtown Arts District. He then joined the staff of the Dallas Wind Symphony as their first ever director of development. During his tenure, the nation’s only professional wind band saw an elimination of their ongoing operational deficit, multiple years of a bottom-line surplus, and three successful CD recording projects.

Papert has volunteered extensively throughout Dallas and is a past board member of the Dallas Architecture Foundation/Dallas Center for Architecture, the Leadership Dallas Alumni Association and the advisory boards of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He is a past president of the Shakespeare Dallas Board of Directors and a past member of the St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni Board. Additionally, Papert is a graduate of the Dallas Chamber’s Leadership Dallas program and the Business Council for the Arts’ Leadership Arts program.

James Faust
Artistic Director

James Faust Loves his family. Loves film. Loves Dallas. Wants you to stay in school.

Two Men. One Vision.

Liener Temerlin and Michael Cain both have longstanding ties to the Dallas Arts community. Temerlin, an advertising legend, and Cain, an award winning filmmaker, came together to turn Dallas into an international stage for moviemakers from around the globe by forming the DALLAS Film Society.

Liener Temerlin
Founder &
Chairman Emeritus

An advertising and consulting guru, Liener has always been a champion of creativity. For the past several years, Liener has served on the AFI Board of Trustees and was the driving force behind the creation of AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies Series; a list that has become the definitive guide for the must-see movies of all time. Liener’s passion and love of movies led AFI to partner with him in bringing this international festival to Dallas.

Michael Cain

A graduate of the American Film Institute, Michael was previously the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Deep Ellum Film, Music, Arts and Noise (DEFMAN), which produced the Deep Ellum Film Festival and various outdoor screening events including the Lone Star Drive-In in Addison and Dallas; Pasadena Cinema in the Park; and the Santa Monica Drive-In at the Pier. Michael is also a producer with more than 50 commercials and music videos to his credit. His documentary, TV JUNKIE, was a 2006 Sundance Film Festival selection and received Special Jury Prize for Documentary Excellence. It screened in 2007 on HBO as one of 4 films supporting the Governor Award Winning “Addiction” series. Cain is currently in pre-production for THE STARCK PROJECT, a riveting look at the Dallas based STARCK Club.