It’s back – the fourth annual Tacoma Film Festival, showcasing indie films with a highly Northwest flavor for one packed week. Now, the opening’s not til next Thursday, but with 132 films (including 41 local ones), 35 filmmakers attending, discussions, workshops and parties in seven locations throughout downtown and the North end, this is one festival you want to be planning for.

The kick-off is on October 1, with an opening gala at 6:30 p.m. and two films at 8 p.m. in the Kemper Theater at Annie Wright school (827 N. Tacoma Ave.) After the opening short “After You,” made by Dave Kellman right here in Tacoma with a local cast and composer, the feature is “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.” It’s the first feature film for Canadian model casters Mark Hug and May Charters, and follows two childhood friends as they come to grips with awkward adult realities. 

Then mark your diaries for the 6 p.m. screening Friday Oct. 2 of “North Face,” a white-knuckle mountain movie about climbing the Eiger, a host of dramatic shorts (including one by a former Grand projectionist) and an after-party at 9 p.m. at the Adriatic Grill (4201 S. Steele St.) 

You can check out the rest of the festival week at www.grandcinema.com, or pick up a program at The Grand Cinema itself (606 S. Fawcett Ave.) Better still, read my preview in The News Tribune next Tuesday to find out just why there are so many Northwest films coming to town. And visit GoArts  next week for our picks.