Watching one movie a night sounds relaxing.
Watching eleven a day sounds like a cry for help.
This episode of Your Dark Companion finds Mike Rhyner and Grubes welcoming back James Faust, Artistic Director of the Dallas International Film Festival, as DIFF gears up for its 20th anniversary. From the brutal realities of screening thousands of submissions to the delicate art of choosing films that won’t make audiences flee the theater, James pulls back the curtain on how film festivals actually work.
Along the way, the conversation veers (as it should) into popcorn rituals, Russian romantic comedies no one saw coming, mob-adjacent piano tuners, celebrity memories, Netflix House skepticism, and why “effort does not equal quality” might be the hardest truth filmmakers ever hear.
It’s part insider masterclass, part hang-session, and fully committed to reminding you that festivals aren’t gatekeepers — they’re exhausted movie lovers with college degrees and very strong opinions.
Chapters
00:00:00 – Lightning Strikes, Sports Takes, and Why This Episode Exists
00:04:04 – Watching 11 Movies a Day Without Losing Your Mind
00:06:19 – Popcorn Rules, Butter Politics, and Theater Etiquette
00:08:11 – Inside the 20th Anniversary of Dallas International Film Festival
00:09:01 – The Hunt for Hidden Gems (And Why Tuner Rules)
00:12:30 – Wrongful Convictions, Tough Films, and Emotional Payoffs
00:12:46 – Lucky Grandma, AT&T Untold Stories, and Why Comedy Matters
00:15:23 – Remembering Rob Reiner and the Rights Nightmare After Legends Pass
00:19:27 – Landman, Texas Accents, and When Shows Just Don’t Grab You
00:23:09 – Netflix House: Theme Park or Expensive Store With Drinks?
00:25:44 – DIFF Dates, Venues, and What’s Coming in April
00:26:43 – How to Submit Your Film (And When You’re Too Late)
00:29:06 – Film Festivals vs. Streaming: The New Reality
00:30:32 – How Films Are Judged (And Why Your Mom Is Not the Final Authority)
00:33:13 – Acceptance Rates, Rejections, and Crushing Dreams Politely
00:38:16 – What Getting Into a Festival Really Means for Filmmakers
00:42:39 – When a Festival Film Actually Breaks Through
00:46:42 – Han Shot First (Because of Course He Did)
00:56:51 – Unexpected Oscar Buzz and Festival Surprises
01:08:27 – Film, Community, and Why Dallas Actually Matters
01:13:06 – Wrapping It Up With Stories, Laughs, and Mild Exhaustion
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