James River Film Festival a community event

[Blue_Tires]

As it has for each of its 17 years, the James River Film Festival defies easy description.

That's just how the organizers like it.

"We're very organic in our approach to programming," said James Parrish, who has helped lead the festival for the past decade. "When you get a theme, everything has to fit in it. This way, we can focus on what we'd like to see and build from there."

With 15 or so people on the organizing committee and an additional 50 to 100 expected to pitch in throughout the festival -- all volunteers, from the organizers on down the "what we'd like to see" can be quite expansive.

This year's festival, which starts tomorrow, features 23 events at five venues over seven days. Most showings cost $5, though there are a few that are free. All tickets will be sold at the door. The last day, March 25, will include several crossover events with the French Film Festival, which begins its four-day run then.

The films range from the international work of longtime director Jem Cohen to decidedly local fare, such as "Virginia Creepers," a documentary about the state's horror-TV hosts. Others are a mix, such as "I Am Comic." The inside look at the world of stand-up comedians was directed by Jordan Brady, a comic himself who got his start at Richmond's old Matt's Pub.

Music gets ample play this year, too, with several new films on the schedule.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/movies/article/W-FILM0318_20100317-185605/331002/