AFI Dallas passes along word that Gov. Rick Perry will be heading to town for the festival’s Texas Day on April 3. Among other things, Perry will be here to award director Peter Bogdanovich with the AFI Star Award.

On April 2, Bogdanovich’s classic adaptaion of Larry McMurtry’s The Last Picture Show will screen at the Nasher Sculpture Center with both director and star Timothy Bottoms in attendance.

Other newsy AFI bits:

The documentaries Tyson and The Cove will share closing-night film duties. Tyson follows the crazy ups and downs of the former heavy weight champion of the world, while The Cove tells the story of Flipper creator Richard O’Barry and his work on behalf of dolphins.

The festival has added a new prize for the winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Animation. Reel FX Entertainment and Mass Animation will present the winner with a boatload of computer goodies to help them futher their animation careers. This year’s Tex Avery Animation Award winner Henry Selick (Coraline) will serve on the jury.

AFI Dallas runs from March 26 to April 2. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the AFI Dallas Web site.