D.C. Independent Film Festival, through March 13 Boy, how time flies. Heck, it’s already March, but it seems just like yesterday we were ringing in 2011. And with March comes the D.C. Independent Film Festival. This is the 13th annual DCIFF, which boasts more than 100 features, shorts and documentaries during an 11-day span at five venues in the D.C. metro area through March 13.
“The festival really tries to be a ground zero for the independent film movement,” said Carol Bidault, founder and executive director of the DCIFF.
The festival covers an array of indie movies, from romance to horror to documentaries tackling important issues of the day. Many of the selections are arranged into themes, such as Environment, Horror and Hot Topics.
“We help audiences wrap their heads around independent films,” Bidault said.
In addition to film screenings, the festival also offers seminars, which discuss the business and creative side of film making.
Highlights and special guests this year include actor Harry Shearer and “The Blair Witch Project” co-director and writer Eduardo Sanchez. The closing night event on March 13 will include a screening of Sanchez’s 1999 classic and an appearance by its creator. “The Blair Witch Project” was filmed in Maryland.
Of course, the story of some young adults wandering off into the woods to meet their doom is only a sampling of what the DCIFF has to offer.
“We’re excited about the quality of films we have,” Bidault said.
Info: $10, but a festival 10-pack cost $50; dciff.org
When: Through March 13
Good Charlotte at the 9:30 Club, Friday
This is a bit of a homecoming for Good Charlotte, which originated out of Maryland in the ’90s. A lot has changed for the Madden brothers in the last decade-plus, but they still rock and are touring behind their recent effort, last year’s “Cardiology.” With Forever the Sickest Kids, This Century, and Runner Runner.
Info: $27; 930.com
When: 6:30 p.m. doors, Friday
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ at E Street Cinema, Friday and Saturday
What is your quest? As part of its continuing Midnight Madness series of films, E Street Cinema presents the classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” this Friday and Saturday night. Relive the hilarity of the Knights Who Say Ni, the Trojan Rabbit and more.
Info: $10; landmarktheatres.com
When: Midnight Saturday and Sunday
Gallagher at the Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse, Friday and Saturday
This is going back a few years, but the comedian Gallagher made a name for himself by smashing watermelons on cable television. Yes, kids, you read that right. But compared with what’s on the tube now, taking a sledgehammer to large fruit items seems almost sublime.
Info: $25, arlingtondrafthouse.com
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Dum Dum Girls at the Black Cat, Sunday
This promises to be a little more intimate than the opening set the Dum Dum girls did at Merriweather Post Pavilion in September in support of Vampire Weekend. Don’t miss this L.A.-based rock/pop/punk act still touring behind last year’s catchy “I Will Be.” On the main stage.
Info: $12; blackcatdc.com
When: 8 p.m. doors, Sunday
