RON SWARNER: TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL >>>

Film buffs are faced with an embarrassment of riches in upcoming days - and, no, we're not talking about release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year and Saw V later this month. Two whopping film festivals touch down in the area soon, one in Tacoma beginning today and one just a short hike down the road in Olympia next month, and they're promising to challenge attendees - notions of filmmaking and film-festival organization.

The Weekly Volcano slapped the Tacoma Film Festival on its cover today with a complete schedule through the festival's end date of Oct. 9.  Check it out here.