by Chloe Kapla
AFI FEST Daily News

The first edition of AFI Dallas International Film Festival presented by Target is March 22 to April 1, 2007. It promises to bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Lone Star state.

A program of Dallas Film Society, Inc., in cooperation with the American Film Institute and with the participation of Founding Sponsor Victory Park, the ambitious festival will screen around 150 films, immediately making it one of the largest film festivals in the Southwest US.

AFI Dallas will offer a comprehensive overview of the very best of contemporary international features, documentaries and shorts, red carpet galas and receptions, event-style special screenings, as well as family-friendly and accessible outdoor screenings and events.

The new festival is the brainchild of two influential Dallas movie lovers, Michael Cain, an AFI alumnus and director of TV JUNKIE (screening at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi) and Liener Temerlin, chair of the Dallas Film Society.

"After careful consideration, it became clear to me and others," said Temerlin, "that now was the right environment, timing and opportunity for a festival of this size and scope."

With its growing art museums, theatres, film events, opera and symphony, Dallas is fast becoming a destination for arts lovers in the Southwest.

The citywide event will be designed with Victory Park and Victory Plaza at its center. Featuring the largest outdoor media screens in the country, Victory Park will serve as festival headquarters, home to box offices and numerous supporting events and parties.

Other distinctive venues participating are the historic Majestic Theatre, the Landmark Magnolia and Inwood, the Angelika Film Center, the Meyerson Symphony Center and Nasher Sculpture Center.

Victory Park is the Founding Sponsor, and Target is the Presenting Sponsor.

To kick-start independent filmmakers, Target is funding the Target Filmmaker awards: $25,000 to the best narrative film and $25,000 to the best documentary.

Applications for submissions are available at AFIDallas.com.