Spotlighting new and up-and-coming filmmakers is the goal of the Glendale International Film Festival, which opens this evening, Sept. 29, with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Glenmark at 1100 N. Brand Blvd. The Festival then continues through Oct. 6 with several films being shown at the Laemmle Glendale located at 201 N. Maryland Ave. in Glendale. There are a variety of types of films featured, a diverse slate from filmmakers in all stages of their careers locally, nationally and globally, according to the GIFF website. 

Local artists include Cynthia Gravinese Brown, a Montrose resident who wrote, produced, and stars in the comedy web series “Meet Me at the Barre,” which also stars La Crescenta resident Malinda Farrington. The series “celebrates women of a certain age with humor!” according to Gravinese Brown.

Members of local production company Sally Productions has submitted to GIFF their short film “Soundman.” “Soundman” tells the story of a timid ornithology professor who has spent years documenting a rare bird, only to experience technical difficulties during her anticipated lecture that leads to emotional unraveling but self-discovery in front of a very impatient audience, according to Sally Productions.

“Soundman” and “Meet Me at the Barre” will screen in on Friday, Sept. 30 as part of Program 5, a block of short films with a runtime of 83 minutes in total. 

All screenings take place at the Laemmle Glendale; tickets are $15-$20.

A student film competition celebrating new independent filmmakers is on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Glendale Community College. According to the GIFF website, GIFF’s Student Film Competition is a platform for student filmmakers (high school, undergraduate, and graduate) to tell their stories, showcase their talents, and share their creative voice and perspectives on the world they live in. Seventeen student films have been selected this year to be screened. These shorts tackle a wide range of genres and topics, from the pandemic to social issues to the love of family.

Tickets are $15-$20 and films will be shown at Glendale Community College Auditorium, 1500 N. Verdugo Road in Glendale.

To learn more about the various films being shown and to purchase tickets and for more information visit https://glendaleiff.org.

Also available Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. is GIFF Central where ticketholders can go to meet with other festival-goers, have conversations with filmmakers and relax between screenings. Free snacks and beverages available for GIFF day pass holders.

GIFF Central is being held at Rock Photography Museum, located down the street from Laemmle, at 123 N. Artsakh Ave.

GIFF 2022 is produced and presented by Glendale Arts.