The third annual IT CAME FROM TEXAS Film Festival returns to the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Garland from Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14, 2025. Dedicated to showcasing films made in Texas and inspired by real events, this year’s theme is “True Texas Tales.” The festival is presented in partnership with the City of Garland and Garland Cultural Arts.
This laid-back but deeply curated celebration of Texas storytelling invites film lovers to spend the weekend immersed in Lone Star legends—on screen and in conversation. Films will be shown exclusively at the Plaza Theatre, located at 521 W. State Street, right on the square in Garland’s historic downtown.
Festival passes are now available for $55 during the early-bird period and will increase to $65 starting July 7. The all-access pass covers the full weekend of films and events, along with discounts at select restaurants and shops around the square. Passes can be purchased at Prekindle.
This year’s theme digs into how Texas stories have been told on film—with a focus on what really happened and how filmmakers chose to present it. Festival Director Kelly Kitchens explains the concept by pointing out that words like myth, legend, and saga often blur the line between fact and fiction. This year’s selections aim to explore that divide by pairing the films with post-screening conversations featuring authors, historians, experts, and even family members tied to the real-life stories.
Film historian Gordon K. Smith returns for his third year at the festival, bringing his encyclopedic knowledge of Texas-made cinema. Smith will lead discussions on how fact and fiction are balanced in films like The Great Debaters, The Alamo, and Bonnie and Clyde—each based on real Texas events, each shaped into something cinematic. From the production background to personal stories and historical nuance, Smith offers a rich and insightful layer to the festival’s programming.
The lineup kicks off Friday night with The Great Debaters (2007), directed by Denzel Washington. Filmed partly in Marshall and Palestine, Texas, it tells the story of Wiley College’s debate team and their fight for racial justice and recognition during the Jim Crow era.
Saturday’s feature is Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the groundbreaking Arthur Penn film that was shot across North Texas, including locations in Garland, Red Oak, and Waxahachie. The film redefined American cinema and brought Depression-era outlaw folklore to the big screen with brutal beauty.
Sunday closes with John Wayne’s epic directorial turn in The Alamo (1960). Filmed in Brackettville on a purpose-built set, the movie dramatizes the famous 1836 battle while highlighting Wayne’s vision of American heroism and sacrifice.
The festival aims to bring the community together through a shared appreciation for the cinematic art form, especially films that reflect the state’s culture, history, and distinctive identity. Passholders will enjoy early admission, commemorative posters, and perks from downtown Garland businesses.
IT CAME FROM TEXAS isn’t just a film festival—it’s a storytelling experience. Whether you’re a die-hard film buff, a Texas history fan, or just looking for a great way to spend a weekend, this event offers something special. It’s a celebration of the state’s role in film and a thoughtful look at the stories we choose to tell, how we tell them, and why they matter.
For more information or to buy passes, visit their site.
