The 32nd Northwest Film & Video Festival opens this Friday, November 4 with a screening of short films at the Guild Theatre representing the best recent work from this region's filmmakers followed by a rollicking party next door bringing together the artists and lovers of truly independent film.

The party starts at 9pm on the ground floor of the Studio building, 901 SW Taylor @ Park Avenue, next door to the Guild Theatre. Enjoy the music of Adelaide who combines electronics with live instrumentation against the backdrop of 16mm film projections. Libations will be available from Sierra Nevada Brewing and Tazo. Entry to the party (21 and over only please) is $2 at the door or free with purchase of ticket to the Opening Night screening at the Guild.

Throughout the following week, the Northwest Fest will screen 50 films chosen from the nearly 300 entries from filmmakers throughout the Northwest from Coburg, Oregon to Juneau, Alaska to Victoria, BC-with a strong showing from first-time filmmakers bringing invigorating new voices into the region's filmmaking scene.

Guest Judge, Michael Almereyda will be on hand to screen his new film, "Happy Here and Now"(5pm Sunday, November 6 - Guild Theatre) and to lead a public discussion with the filmmakers whose work he picked for this year's festival. (3pm, Sunday, November 6 - Guild Theatre).

The festival will feature three shorts programs as well as longer documentaries and features such as Seattle's critically acclaimed "Police Beat" and former OPB producer, Tom D'Antoni and Greg Bond's "Robert's Story: Dying With Dignity," chronicling the wrenching process of an HIV sufferer struggling to end his life on his terms.

Closing night of the Festival offers a program titled "Curiosities," comprised of four of our most innovative Portland filmmaker's latest innovations including Rob Tyler's "Color and Modulation"-films created by drawing on 16mm film with sharpies- and the latest "Vladmaster", "Actaeon at Home" by Vladimir, the only artist we know of working in the medium of the 3-D Viewmasters. Come join the fun and enjoy the Sierra Nevada ale and Old Town Pizza.

The Northwest Film Center's Northwest Film & Video Festival is the longest-running, most comprehensive showcase of Northwest-made work and is proud to provide an outlet to the area's artists and inspiration to their audiences. It's a rare opportunity to see this community's best recent work so drop everything. If you miss it, it's gone.
For a complete schedule and more information, go to: http://www.nwfilm.org/