 | | | "The Innocents" will be screened at this year's CAIFF. Photo Provided | | | | | | This year's California Independent Film Festival begins on Sept. 8 and runs through Sept. 14. The tagline this year is "Something for Everyone from Around the World."
Over 10 countries are represented including France, Poland, Canada and Australia. There will be a wide array of films from award-winning feature films, shorts, documentaries to an award-winning children's animated film from Russia.
Here is a quick pick from each of the categories.
"The Innocents," a feature-length film, was a 2016 Sundance Film Festival hit from France. It is set in 1945 Poland where a young French Red Cross doctor is sent to assist the survivors of the German camps. During a visit to a nearby convent, he discovers several nuns in advanced stages of pregnancy. "The Innocents" will be screening at the Orinda Theatre at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 11.
"The Eve" is a short horror/thriller from Italy that was won over 20 international film festival awards. Simon is an eight-year-old boy who seems to have everything in life but his greatest wish is for Santa Claus to take him away to live in Santa's fairyland toy factory. You can see "The Eve" at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 10 with five other short films. The showcase is titled "Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Looking for something a little on the lighter side with a Bay Area focus? You will not want to miss "Trailhead," a documentary that discovers Oakland's gateway to the redwoods. "Trailhead" will be showing at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 as part of the Bay Area Documentary Program at the Rheem Theatre.
It is never too early to expose your children to the learning and joys of attending a film festival. This year CAIFF's Children's Program is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Rheem Theatre. The program will open with a charming short animated film from Mexico titled "The Treehouse." Not only does the story teach us all about holding on to your dreams, the beautiful animation is breathtaking. Following the award-winning short will be a feature-length animated film from Russia, "Kikoriki: Legend of the Golden Dragon." All ages will enjoy this movie about the lovable residents of the peaceful Island of Kikoriki.
These are my quick picks of the 19th annual California independent Film Festival. I encourage you to pick up a festival guide at the Orinda Theatre or Rheem Theatre or go online at www.caiff.org to discover for yourself the amazing lineup of films that truly has something for everyone.
See you at the festival!
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA