A little zombie action will be tossed in for fun when the Tri-Cities International Fantastic Film Festival gets under way Oct. 8 in Richland.
"We'll be showcasing sci-fi and fantasy films with a workshop for stop-motion filmmaking geared toward preteens and teens, though adults are welcome," said Nat Saenz, organizer of the event. "Every one of these films are of high-quality filmmaking. And most are from international filmmakers. There's only a couple local people."
More than 70 short films will be shown over three weekends Oct. 8, 14-15 and 22 at either the Richland Public Library or Richland Community Center. A complete list of the films being shown, how each is rated and the day and time they're being shown can be found at www.tcif3.com.
The majority of the films are no longer than 30 minutes long with most about 10 to 15 minutes.
"The Pacific Northwest is part of a growing independent film community with several film festivals," Saenz said. "Since 2000, the TCIF3 has screened more than 200 independent short films from around the world."
The Oct. 8 showings include 15 films from international filmmakers and will be shown from 4 to 10 p.m. in the Doris Roberts Gallery at the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive.
Local sci-fi and filmmaking clubs will be on hand at the Oct. 8 event, Saenz said. "And the Three Rivers Children's Museum also will be here," he added.
A selection of 16 horror films will be shown from 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive. This event also features a costume contest that will be headed by Floyd Cadaverious and Nurse Evilynn, a couple who play host to a local cable TV show that plays old horror flicks, Saenz said.
"We've got some fun extra stuff going on Oct. 14," Saenz said. "There will be a zombie walk that we're hoping to having about 200 zombies show up for. They'll walk around Howard Amon Park then do the Thriller dance. We'll also have a panel of makeup artists on hand to give advice about how to apply makeup for your Halloween costume."
It will be sci-fi and fantasy films from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Richland Community Center. Twenty-six films are scheduled to be shown. A special showing of Geoff Klein's short film, The Furry, also will be shown. Klein, who grew up in the Tri-Cities, now lives in Seattle.
Finally, on Oct. 22 the movie topic will be animation films from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Richland Community Center. Thirteen films will be shown.
Best part of this film festival is that it's all free, so bring the family and have a good time, Saenz said.
*Dori O'Neal: 582-1514; doneal@tricityherald.com
