On Thursday, Oct. 6, the sixth annual Tacoma Film Festival began. A celebration of modern independent films, the festival will last one week and include screenings at the Grand Cinema, School of the Arts, the Blue Mouse, Tacoma Art Museum and the University of Puget Sound’s own Rausch Auditorium.
The films screening during the festival include both dramatic works and documentaries.
Many of the filmmakers will be present for the screenings, which are open to the public for a small entry fee.
One intention of the festival is, as stated on the Grand Cinema’s website, “to enrich our community by bridging the gap between ourselves and outstanding works of independent film.”
Our own campus will host three films, entitled “Citizen Mayor,” “Superheroes” and “Splinters.” All three films are documentaries and will screen in Rausch Auditorium on Monday, Oct. 10.
The first of the films hosted in Rausch is “Citizen Mayor.” The documentary follows the campaigns of seven everyman mayoral candidates in a Seattle election as they face off against experienced and powerful politicians. It will screen at 2 p.m.
The second film, “Superheroes,” examines the phenomenon of modern day superheroes, following a select number of the more than 300 registered “Real-Life Superheroes” in the United States. The documentary/comedy will screen at 4 p.m.
The third film, “Splinters,” will screen at 6 p.m. The documentary is an official selection of the 2011 Tribeca and Newport Beach Film Festivals and revolves around the growing phenomenon of surfing among the indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea.
Admission to all three of the films screened in Rausch will be free.
Another film featured at the festival, entitled “PressPausePlay,” will screen at School of the Arts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, and may be of particular interest to University of Puget Sound students.
Tacoma Film Festival Director Emily Alm recommended the film for its unique examination of the effects of the recent digital revolution upon culture and its inclusion of interviews with prolific members of modern digital culture. The filmmaker will be in attendance at the screening.
Those interested in attending the 2011 Tacoma Film Festival may browse films and purchase tickets on the Grand Cinema’s website.
