Amy Talkington is an indie filmmaker with a secret: When it comes to Dallas, she admits to having a sentimental streak.

NAN COULTER/Special Contributor

Filmmaker Amy Talkington is a graduate of Dallas' Hockaday School for girls.

The proof is in the celluloid.

Various locations around town serve as the setting for The Night of the White Pants, her new film that locals will get to see for the first time tonight.

"My story is, when I grew up in Dallas, I didn't really like it," says the former Hockaday student and Dallas debutante who split for the East Coast to attend boarding school at 16.

"But when I started writing screenplays and really thinking about stories I wanted to tell, they were all about Texas," says Talkington, whose forthcoming film will focus on the world of Dallas debutantes. It's titled Deeply Shallow and Really Fake.

"Almost every script I've written," she says, "is about Texas and is set in Texas ... I have to confess, I've become very sentimental about the place."

Those who live here who come to see The Night of the White Pants may recognize the Deep Ellum bar Double Wide, the Hotel Adolphus and her mother's historic home on Swiss Avenue.

The Night of the White Pants, about one hilarious night in the life of a father caught in the midst of a messy divorce and starring Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson, will have its official opening at the Angelika on April 6.

DMN

The Night of the White Pants, tonight at 9:30 at the Dallas Angelika.

The AFI Dallas International Film Festival runs through April 1. For a complete schedule and ticket information, go to afidallas.com or call 214-720-0555.

The Night of the White Pants features music by local bands Record Hop, the Golden Falcons, Peter Schmidt and his Gentlemen Scholars, Max Cady and more.