It’s not just Stage West’s new play readings (see: Saturday blurb) that has been going on for 11 years. The same is true for Thin Line Fest, which takes place this weekend in Denton. This year, the film portion of the festival is also splitting itself between two venues, the established site of the Campus Theatre and the shiny new Movie Tavern franchise that just opened there not too far away.
The festival has its share of cuddly nature documentaries, including Lu Chuan’s Born in China and Brett Morgen’s more substantive Jane, both of which received wider releases in years past. However, most of the festival is taken up with premieres, like the world premiere of David Hayes’ The Exorcist and Me, investigating a priest in Argentina with a shady past, and the American premiere of the German silent film “101,” which won an award for its music at the London International Filmmaker Festival. Elsewhere, Matthieu Rytz’ Anote’s Ark looks at the island nation of Kiribati, in danger of being swallowed up by climate change and rising seas. Closer to home, Erik McCowan’s Dance Hall Days examines the history of these Texas musical institutions, and The Lewis Brothers’ Elk River Sessions documents the efforts of a group of Denton musicians to make their own album in seclusion in the Ozarks. The same music will be played live at Dan’s Silverleaf during the fest.
Thin Line Fest runs Wed-Sun at Campus Theatre, 214 W Hickory St, Denton and Movie Tavern, 916 W University Dr, Denton. Admission is free. Call 888-893-4560
