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You know how sometimes you watch a particularly crappy movie and you think to yourself, "Even I could make a better film than that." The brain trust at Tacoma's Grand Cinema agrees with you, and that is why they are giving anyone with a video camera and a few bucks a chance to write, shoot and screen a 5-minute film at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma.

Yes, it's that time again: The Grand Cinema's 72-Hour Film Festival will inspire registered filmmakers to bring a film from conception to completion April 25-28. What started as 11 teams gathering at The Grand has ballooned into a totally legit happening. Every year some 30 teams of filmmakers collectively spill out of the woodwork to be met with the challenge of creating a five-minute film in only three days. As if that weren't enough of a task, they are also required to somehow fit in a designated line of dialogue, a prop, a location, and an action. Then they all get together at the Rialto - which is invariably sold out - to watch their creations.

This year the teams will assemble the night of Thursday, April 25, submit their films Sunday, April 28, and the movies will be screened Friday, May 10 at the Rialto. Some will rise to the occasion, some will fall short. Watching all three hours of the event is to witness the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat. Expect shocks, laughs, maybe even a few tears shed. Then judges will hand out awards, as well as the coveted audience favorite award.

For more details and to sign up, call The Grand at 253.572.6062.