DIFF | DALLAS FILM SOCIETY, INC

DIFF | Dallas Film Society, Inc. is a community arts organization that hosts year-round programs including: an educational screening and talk series for area high school students with industry professionals, entitled INSIDE FILM; free advance screenings of new films for subscribers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters; a variety of themed film series in collaboration with community partners; and other unique events ranging from film premieres to classic film anniversary celebrations. A new event, the Dallas International Short Film Festival (DIFF SHORTS) was added in August 2024 to the organization's year-round programming. 

The signature program of DIFF is the Dallas International Film Festival, which recently presented its 18th edition in Spring 2024. Since its founding, the festival has screened more than 2,000 widely diverse new films from more than 60 countries, provided more than $1.1 million in awards, hosted nearly 100,000 filmgoers and filmmakers, and provided educational experiences for thousands of Dallas high school and college students. 

When Dallas Film Society, Inc. was established in 2006, the founding mission was “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; and to promote the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking.” 

This commitment of the early founders to the art of film and the artists who are its creators continues to guide the organization today. In addition, through curation of the broadest range of expression through film, DIFF is committed to serving as the region’s most powerful platform for diverse, emerging and underrepresented voices. Throughout its history – before DEI was an acronym – DIFF has demonstrated consistent commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, immersive, educational, and entertaining film experiences for all.  It is the vision of DIFF that, by promoting wide and thoughtful expression through film, our organization can help foster human connection and greater appreciation for our common humanity and our rich diversity.

Our Needs

The needs of the organization include funding for both equipment and personnel to restore operations to pre-pandemic levels, including:

Funding for computers and monitors that have not been updated since before the pandemic

Funding for software programs to facilitate internal and external communications and archiving

Funding for additional staffing to restore operations and programming roles to pre-pandemic levels

Funding to rebuild the high school education program

Funding to rebuild the volunteer program

Funding to replace Festival equipment that has not been updated since before the pandemic

DIFF is sustained by small and large businesses and corporations, foundations, governments, individual donors, and volunteers. Thank you for your generous donations to our creative and educational efforts.