Two films and a food-filled gala kicked off the 4th annual Tacoma Film Festival Thursday night.

After the reception (kudos to Jonz Catering) in the Great Hall at Annie Wright School, Tacoma native David Kellman showed his comedy short.

Kellman’s 3-minute film – a commentary on romance and I-5 traffic – stayed true to the veteran filmmaker’s roots: It was filmed entirely in the City of Destiny.

I caught up with Kellman before the screening. He said  the film was shot on a green screen and used images he shot on I-5. It took him four trips to get stuck  in traffic, he said. The film was written by and stars Daniel Purcell (along with Jamey Rivera.)

Kellman is a member of filmmaking collaborative The Cheap Shot Collective. They’ve turned out a number of short films using local directors, actors and music.

Kellman said he was excited to be at the TFF with one of the local films the festival has emphasized this year.

“It brings out the whole community. Everybody wins.”

“After You” was followed by the feature, “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” by Canadian filmmakers Mark Hug and May Charters.

The film opens with the question: Do you remember the first friend you ever had? From there, it covers a lot of ground: friendship, love, sibling rivalry and the life altering decisions we make.

And yet the film never seems crowded with these themes.

The story opens with Allison, a successful illustrator, returning to the small B.C. town of Creston for her 10th high school reunion. There, she reconnects with Todd, her childhood friend. Todd has stayed behind in the scenic mountain town to help his father with the family business: cherries.

As Todd and Allison’s friendship simmers into something more his younger brother, a professional hockey star (did I mention this is a Canadian film?) returns to town flashing his money and success.

Repressed emotions and sibling rivalries lead to a somewhat tepid climax. But Hug and Charters, who star in the film, make you care about the characters that populate this film.

Young (and in Hug’s case, first time) filmmakers, the film has the practiced hand of natural story tellers. Only the rough-around-the-edges cinemaphotography shows it’s less-than-Hollywood budget.

The film has a strong sense of place, no doubt reinforced by the fact it was shot on Hug’s real life cherry orchard in his hometown.

Hug, who along with Charters was on hand after the screening for a Q and A session, said that it’s not a biographical story but “every location meant something to me in my childhood.”

“After You” screens again Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at SOTA and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at The Grand Cinema as part of Comedy Shorts.

“Lovers in a Dangerous Time” screens again at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at The Grand Cinema.

The film festival runs daily at various venues around the city through Oct. 8. Check www.TacomaFilmFestival.com for a complete schedule.