Just a few years ago, The Texas Theatre was on the brink. The historic moviehouse, the spot where police nabbed alleged JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, was crumbling after decades of neglect and decay. The Oak Cliff Foundation bought the structure, and after partnering with Aviation Cinemas, the Texas Theatre is now a thriving part of the neighborhood scene.

And in less than two weeks that once crumbling moviehouse will host the inaugural Oak Cliff Film Festival along with the Bishop Arts Theater Center, the Kessler Theater, and the Belmont Hotel. It's a dramatic turnaround for the theater and Jefferson Boulevard.

The festival, which will include a community short competition, starts next Thursday with "The Ghastly Love of Johnny X" at 7:30 p.m., and festivalgoers can hang out at the Texas Theatre until the 10 p.m. opening night party with the King Bucks.

There are several side events, including a Lee Harvey Oswald-themed bike ride at 11:30 a.m. June 16 and panels covering film as subversive art and the state of the indie filmmaking scene. 

The Oak Cliff Film Festival website has a complete schedule for the event, as well as more information on purchasing festival passes. Additionally, for every pass purchased, the Oak Cliff Film Festival will donate $5 to the North Texas Food Bank's efforts to fight hunger in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.