BILL TIMNICK: TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL >>>

For the third year running, The Grand Cinema is bringing back its annual celebration of the filmmaker’s art Oct. 2-9. The Tacoma Film Festival, The Grand’s salute to local and emerging filmmakers, features some 80 titles ranging in length from two minutes to a couple of hours, with screenings at four local venues: The Grand Cinema (606 S. Fawcett Ave.), Tacoma's First United Methodist Church (621 Tacoma Ave.), the School of the Arts (1818 Tacoma Ave.), and the Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave.).

Many of the entries are being screened for the first time anywhere. Each screening will feature multiple films, in most cases with a single longer feature in combination with two or more shorts. Why? "Because we have so many shorts," says Rachel Marecle, event coordinator. But one way or another each of the entries will be shown at least once during the Festival.

Some of the screenings will feature a special bonus, Marecle explains. At about 30 of the screenings, one or more persons associated with the making of the film will be on hand. Directors and/or actors from the selected piece will take part in a question and answer session following the showing.

But there are still more special events lined up for the Festival. First, to kick off the celebration, organizers are holding an opening night catered reception at First United Methodist Church, followed by an opening night screening at the Grand Cinema. The cost is $14 for Grand Cinema members, and $17 for nonmembers. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m.; curtain time is 8:15.

The Festival is also going out with a bang: a closing night awards Gala on Oct. 9. The setting is the Temple Ballroom at the Landmark Convention Center, 47 St. Helens Avenue. The time is 6:30 p.m. Admission, which includes dinner, live entertainment and the award ceremony, is $45 for Grand members, and $50 for nonmembers.

Admission to any of the regular screenings at all four venues during the Festival is the same as the regular admission price at The Grand Cinema, which is $8 for adults, $6 for children seniors and military. All members of The Grand are admitted to any screening for $1.50. Festival goers can also select an “all access pass,” priced at $110, which admits holders to any and all screenings and includes admission to both the opening and closing night events.

Tickets go on sale Sept. 26 at the grand Cinema box office, 606 S. Fawcett Ave. in downtown Tacoma. A printed festival guide will also be available at the box office beginning the same day. For more information call 253.593.4474.

LINK: Weekly Volcano's film section