The Tacoma Film Festival storms into town Thursday with a comedy-drama that swept the South by Southwest Film Festival awards this year.
It will be the first of more than 100 movies showing Thursday through Oct. 13 at the festival organized by the Grand Cinema.
“We’re really highlighting Pacific Northwest and Tacoma filmmakers. But, overall, our films are just higher quality this year. There’s not one film where I have second thoughts about playing it,” said Emily Alm, the festival director. “And there’s something for everyone.”
The festival holds true to form from years past, though.
A mix of about 40 features and 60 shorts range from the opening night comedy to the closing night drama. In between are mysteries, documentaries, suspense and other genres.
Shorts are segregated into programs of various categories: comedy, drama, documentary, local, family, international, late night and animation.
One category, North South, features shorts from Seattle and will have filmmakers in attendance. Each shorts program screens from four to eight films for one entry ticket.
HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday: OPENING NIGHT GALA
Opening night features the film “Natural Selection” (see review at right). Actor Matt O’Leary will be in attendance. The film took six awards at SXS, including the audience award, best narrative feature and best performance awards by O’Leary and Rachael Harris. The evening also offers appetizers and a cash bar. 6:30 p.m., Annie Wright School, 827 N. Tacoma Ave. $20 ($11 movie only at 7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 8: FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP
This free workshop is hosted by local film guru Warren Etheredge. Calling it “DO! Make a Scene,” Etheredge will explore structure and character in screenplays and the creation of a compelling scene. 10 a.m., Grand Cinema
Oct. 8: DOC SHORTS
Seattle filmmaker Jay Duplass will screen his debut documentary, “Kevin,” in the Documentary Shorts program. The film follows musician Kevin Gant and his struggle to regain his career and the spotlight following a difficult period in his life. Gant will perform after the screening. 2:30 p.m., Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Oct. 9: AWARDS
A Local Audience Choice Award is being added this year to the other six awards. Warren Etheredge hosts. 3 p.m. Pacific Grill Events Center, 1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. $10
Oct. 10-11: LOCAL FILMS
Most of the local selections will play in what Alm calls a “festival in a festival, where we can truly showcase the Pacific Northwest filmmakers – and many from Tacoma itself.” Grit City Flicks will show at 4:50 p.m. Oct. 10 and at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 11. Featured filmmakers include Andrew Finnigan (“Fantastic Confabulations,” 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 2 p.m. Oct. 11) and Chad Ruin (“A Perfect Life,” 8:30 p.m. Oct. 11). Many filmmakers will be in attendance for their screenings. Grand Cinema
Oct. 13: CLOSING NIGHT
The drama “The Off Hours” and the dramatic short “Something Special” will be the featured films closing night. (Read more about “The Off Hours” in next week’s GO). Both filmmakers will attend. 6:30 p.m., Grand Cinema, $18
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541, craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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