It’s back and it’s brief. The 2018 Taos Shortz Film Fest returns to our neighbors to the north this Friday, March 9 through Sunday, March 11. For three whole days, 33 of the best short films from around the globe are screened. Films run from 1 to 9pm on Friday, from 4 to 9pm on Saturday and from noon to 9pm on Sunday. Russia, Belgium, France, Palestine, Australia, Spain, Afghanistan and China are just some of the nations represented in this collection of dramas, comedies, documentaries and animated films. Each program of films screens twice during the festival, so you have a couple opportunities to see them (and still get some food and tourism time in Taos). Tickets to individual blocks of shorts cost between $10 and $15. If you want to settle in for the weekend and catch all of the films, an all-access “Taos Hmmmm Pass” costs you $44. All screenings for this year’s 11th annual outing take place at the Taos Center for the Arts (133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte). For a complete schedule of films and events, go to taosshortz.com.
Reel World: Get High Get High
The high-altitude Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour stops off at Albuquerque’s historic KiMo Theatre (423 Central Ave. NW) this Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10. Ignite your passion for adventure, action and travel with this curated selection of outdoor documentaries from around the world. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest rivers, ski the steepest slopes and climb the highest peaks alongside some of the best extreme sports enthusiasts. Both days of the festival run from 7 to 9:30pm. Single day tickets are $16. A two-day pass sets you back $28. This event is brought to you by Stone Mountain Climbing Gym, REI and New Mexico Kayak Instruction. For more info go to kimotickets.com.
Reel World: An Italian Feast An Italian Feast
The 2018 Italian Film & Culture Festival is a week-long celebration of food, film and more. This year’s festivities kick off Tuesday, March 13 with the Opening Night Event & Film. That includes a mouthwatering buffet and wine reception by Scalo Northern Italian Grill, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Frost Gelato. There’s live music and song by members of Chamber Music Campania, featuring Italian opera arias, Italian film music and a “witty Don Giovanni spoof.” (How Italian is that?) An exhilarating NDI New Mexico dance performance is also on tap for the evening. It’s all topped off by a screening of the festival’s opening night film Un Paese Quasi Perfetto. This lively 2016 comedy takes viewers to the remote mountain town of Pietramezza. On the verge of disappearing, the town rallies behind a volcanic out-of-work miner named Domenico (Silvio Orlando) who will stop at nothing to lure a potential new factory to town. But when it all turns out to be scam, the locals scramble to transform their working-class town into a tourist destination. Tickets to L’Inaugurazione, The Grand Opening, are $45. Food and entertainment starts at 5pm. The film gets underway at 6:45pm. Tickets for the film alone are $10. For a complete list of films and events taking place during the Italian Film & Culture Festival, go to italianfilmfest.org. All film screenings are in Italian with English subtitles and take place at the Hiland Theater (4800 Central Ave. SE)
