WorldFest Houston

Popcorn? Check. Soda? Check. Seat cushion? Check. Wait a minute, seat cushion? Yep, you’re going to need one when you go to WorldFest Houston International Film Festival because it’s going to take you a while to see all 52 feature films and 75 shorts that are being screened this year. Kathleen Haney, program director for the film festival, says, “Over the ten-day period, it is actually possible to see everything if you want to do a marathon. If you take time off and bring eye drops, you physically can see them all.”

If 52 features seem like a lot of films to sit through, think about the poor WorldFest judges who had to sift through almost 4,000 entries this year. Haney says there are a few sleepers on the schedule. “The Drummer is one of my particular favorites. It’s an excellent little film and will probably become a feature because there’s enough of a story there. And Before the Rains is made by a Houston producer. It’s an epic film that was filmed on location in India. It’s just a marvelous film. Coyote Funeral is also by a Texas filmmaker. But my personal favorite is Greetings from the Shore. It’s just a dear romantic comedy set on the New Jersey shore. It’s a sweet film and those are hard to come by.” Before the Rains opens the festival today at 7:15 p.m. Screenings through April 20. AMC Studio 30, 2949 Dunvale. For information and a complete schedule, call 713-965-9960 or visit www.worldfest.org. $6 to $8.50 per screening, $15 to $500 for festival passes and special events.
Sun., April 13, 3 p.m.; Tue., April 15, 7:15 p.m., 2008