Around town

Lectures
Allison Stanger: The international affairs scholar tells the story of how contractors became an integral part of U.S. foreign policy and why a new approach may be essential. [6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]

‘Sundance Confidential’: Program, presented by the San Francisco Film Society’s Film Arts Forum, explores one of independent filmdom’s top events: the Sundance Film Festival. [7:30 p.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St., S.F.]