A long-lost piece of media is finally coming to the screen after 25 years.
Houston Cinema Arts Society presents the world premiere of Dreams in the Attic, a never-before-aired live-action television film starring the late Shelley Duvall (The Shining, Faerie Tale Theatre) in one of her final roles. Filmed in 1999 on 16mm in Galveston and Houston, the movie was shelved after being passed over by the Disney Channel and has remained unseen for over two decades.
In celebration of Shelley Duvall’s birthday, the film will premiere at Houston’s historic River Oaks Theatre, marking its first public screening. Duvall stars as Aunt Nellie, the eccentric owner of a costume shop whose magical attic trunk allows anyone who tries on its costumes to bring their dreams to life.
The film features a standout cast including Haylie Duff (Napoleon Dynamite, Lizzie McGuire), Mary McDonough (The Waltons), and Vanessa Lee Chester (The Lost World: Jurassic Park). Long whispered about among fans of lost media, Dreams in the Attic has built a cult following based on its mysterious trailer and IMDb listing. Until now, no complete version of the film has ever been released or shown to the public.
The screening will include a post-film conversation with director Bob Willems, along with additional cast and crew members who will share behind-the-scenes stories and reflect on the film’s unusual journey to the screen. Also joining the conversation is Sarah Lukowski, founder of the Shelley Duvall Archive, who will speak on Shelley’s legacy and her friendship with the actress.
This special evening will honor Shelley Duvall’s extraordinary career, her Houston roots, and a long-lost film that never got the chance to shine—until now.
Tickets are limited. Be the first audience to see this film and reserve your seat today for this magical, once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience!
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