The reel deal

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Maryland Film Festival has become one of the best annual events in Baltimore. Filmmakers, fans and critics converge on Mobtown every spring to celebrate, discuss and, most importantly, watch new and diverse films crafted by local and international artists.

This year’s lineup is sure to impress even the most unenthusiastic and cynical moviegoer with a variety that includes everything from a silent film with full musical accompaniment (“The Eagle”) to a World War II film noir performed by sock puppets (“The Lady from Sockholm”) to more familiar movies like Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.”

As always, the colorful John Waters will be on hand to introduce and discuss his pick, which this year seems uncharacteristically down-to-earth and affable in the layered love story “Head-On.” 3-D is also back this season in “The Mad Magician,” because who could ever get enough of Vincent Price’s unique brand of nefarious melodrama?

Some of the films on the lighter side include “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” a beach party, rock and roll monster movie, and “The Guatemalan Handshake,” a film about an awkward demolition derby driver’s disappearance and the effect it has on a dozen or so off-beat characters.

One of the most important reasons to go to the festival is to check out serious documentaries of political and humanitarian significance. Without extensive travel and research, it’s nearly impossible to glimpse the real world through varied philosophical lenses.

In the past, the comedy shorts have been hilarious and well worth the small investment of time. The ever-popular and innovative Black Maria Shorts series will host Octave, featuring the music of Yo La Tengo (subjectively speaking, enough of a reason to see anything). The festival makes it possible to preview films that will likely never make it to the local theater or video store. Whether the story is tragic, thought-provoking, humorous or whimsical, it may be the only time you spot it.

At a glance

» The Maryland Film Festival is being held Thursday to Sunday.

» Location: The festival is hosted at three different theaters: The Senator Theatre, MICA’s Brown Center and The Charles Theatre. The festival tent is located directly across the street from The Charles Theatre, 1711 North Charles St.

» Festival: Per-screening admission prices range from $8 for students and seniors ($10 for adults) to $35 for the opening and closing night screenings/parties.

» More info: www.mdfilmfest.com

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