YOUR DAILY GUIDE TO THE 2011 TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL >>>

It seems like a dream a Tacoman would have about a Hollywood party: Photographers ask to take red carpet photos of you on your entrance; you're given complimentary drinks, including, if you choose, Pabst cans wrapped in napkins; burlesque dancers dance in the middle of the room; tiny pigs in a blanket are served with toothpicks and syrup dip; and a French band from Fife tells the audience its next song will make some babies.

It is a dream as last night's 2011 Tacoma Film Festival Opening Gala was slightly below that scenario, although just as swanky. TFF staff, board members, representing films directors and stars, photographers and film enthusiasts consumed Annie Wright's Great Hall noshing on fancy hors d'oeuvres as musicians bounced classical music off the dark mahogany walls. Jonz Catering outdid themselves again with delectable finger foods. I did see a few wrap their Stella beers in napkins.

"We are fortunate enough to live in a community where we can enjoy events like this and it's due to your support of film and your support of The Grand Cinema," said Mitch Robinson, president of The Grand's board of directors, as he welcomed the crowd to opening night.

This time each year, our little Grit City suddenly explodes with creativity as TFF offers moviegoers the perfect excuse to escape the rain and indulge in an incredibly diverse array of local and foreign cinema.

TFF Director Emily Alm announced her film recommendations during the party, including "a hilarious comedy" Sunday night called Losing Control, and local films Monday and Tuesday night.

Then the Warren Etheredge show took over as the cultural conversationalist and TFF film judge dropped one-liners and introduced filmmakers in attendance, including some from overseas.

The room emptied into Annie Wright's Kemper Center for TFF's opening film, Natural Selection, which was a tender, sweet story starring Rachel Harris as infertile, sexually frustrated, and very Christian housewife. This fresh funny flick is a must see.

LINK: More Opening Night photos

Today's film recommendations

Tacoma Film Festival Director Emily Alm recommends you hit the following two films today:

THIS NARROW PLACE (3:55 p.m., The Grand Cinema): Sometimes a film comes along that blows you away, that represents new, raw, and undeniable talent. The director of This Narrow Place, Sooney Kadouh, exhibits enormous potential with his debut feature. His cause is greatly empowered by the lead actors, Sammy Sheik (Hassan) and Jonathan Stanley (Chris). Hassan has recently smuggled himself into the United States and plans on avenging the death of his brother, who was killed in Israel by a US-made bomb. In the meantime, Hassan develops an unlikely and fascinating friendship with Chris, a lonely drug-addict who seems reinvigorated by his new relationship with Hassan.

HEART BREAKS OPEN (6:05 p.m., The Grand Cinema): I had the pleasure of screening this film on the big screen during one of our regular volunteer screening sessions at the Grand. Not one person in the audience disliked Heart Breaks Open, and not one person was unaffected by its powerful and realistic story. The film was powerful simply for its storyline, but the filmmaker (William Maria Rain), and actors amplify its presence through not-to-be-missed performances and creativity. Heart Breaks Open screens Friday, Oct. 7th at 6:05 p.m. at the Grand Cinema. The director, cast and crew will be in attendance for a post-film Q&A.

For a complete list of today's films, click here.

LINK: Three stories behind the stories

LINK: Big stars at the Tacoma Film Festival 2011

LINK: Our Tacoma Film Festival preview

LINK: TFF Director Emily Alm's picks

LINK: TFF on twitter 

LINK: TFF website