May is one of the most CULTURAL months of the year in Baltimore, with both Maryland Death Fest AND Maryland Film Fest… this year I will be attending both. I always end up missing alot, so this year I decided to make a little cheat sheet for myself with the films and events I wanna attend at the Film Fest. I figured I’d share it with the Internet, why not. Post a comment if you think I missed something!

ALSO: Once the Film Fest starts, check out my Liveblog & my Twitter. I’ll be posting pictures & commentary from the fest!

Here goes:

Thursday May 3rd:

Opening Night Shorts w/ host Andrew O’Hehir : MICA Brown Center : 8pm

Opening remarks and a program of 5 very different and interesting-sounding short films. Followed by a party! Who doesn’t love parties?

Friday May 4th:

Tchoupitoulas : The Windup Space : 4:30pm

A non-fiction/documentary-style film about three brother’s exploration of New Orleans over the course of one evening. With an introduction by the directors, Bill & Turner Ross. (Also playing Saturday)

Compliance : Charles Theater 1 : 4:30pm

A fictionalized account of the recent spate of crimes where an unknown caller would call a fast-food restaurant and claim to be from the corporate office, then convince the staff to perform all manner of unspeakable humiliations on each other. An unbelievable story, except totally based on reality. Introduced by the director, Craig Zobel. (Also playing Sunday; I’ll likely attend that one.)

Wanda (hosted by John Waters) : Charles Theater 1 : 7:30pm

John Waters presents a film every year that he curates for the festival. This film by Barbara Loden is this year’s pick. I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds interesting.

Saturday May 5th

This Is Not A Film : Charles Theater 4 : 12:00pm

One of the films I am most excited about, a documentary about an Iranian filmmaker, Jafar Panahi, who has been forbidden by his government to make films. This film itself was an illegal act, and had to be smuggled out of Iran to be seen by the world at large. (Also playing Friday at 7:30)

Shorts : The Passion of the WTF Shorts : Windup Space : 5:00pm

Oddball and cult short films. Click the link and read some of the descriptions… the Windup Space, home of Psychotronic Video Night, seems like the best place to watch these… with a pint in hand.

Tchoupitoulas : Charles Theater 4 : 7:00pm

A non-fiction/documentary-style film about three brother’s exploration of New Orleans over the course of one evening. With an introduction by the directors, Bill & Turner Ross. (Also playing Friday)

Jeff : Charles Theater 5 : 9:30pm

A documentary that interviews several people whose lives were impacted by Jeffrey Dahmer, interspersed with narrative scenes of moments in Dahmer’s life that – while not fixated on his crimes – add to the interviews. Introduced by director CJ Thompson. (Also playing Sunday)

God Bless America : Charles Theater 1 : 10:30pm

Bobcat Goldthwait’s newest film, presented by the director. He has been steadily building himself a second (third?) act of his career as an edgy writer/director whose films have a lot to say about American culture today. One of the most buzzed films of the festival.

V/H/S : MICA Brown Center : 11:00pm

An omnibus horror film with chapters by a variety of young horror directors, most notable being Ti West, director of the excellent House Of The Devil. Seems like a great way to cap the night off, but sadly starts after God Bless America.

Sunday May 6th:

From Morning Til Midnight : Charles Theater 1 : 11:00am

Alloy Orchestra performs live along with this German Expressionist silent film which was until recently thought to be lost. The extreme visual style should give the live orchestra quite a lot to work with… sounds like a good way to start the day!

Jeff : Charles Theater 4 : 12:00pm

A documentary that interviews several people whose lives were impacted by Jeffrey Dahmer, interspersed with narrative scenes of moments in Dahmer’s life that – while not fixated on his crimes – add to the interviews. Introduced by director CJ Thompson. (Second showing, in case you couldn’t see it on Saturday.)

Compliance : Charles Theater 4 : 2:30pm

A fictionalized account of the recent spate of crimes where an unknown caller would call a fast-food restaurant and claim to be from the corporate office, then convince the staff to perform all manner of unspeakable humiliations on each other. An unbelievable story, except totally based on reality. Introduced by the director, Craig Zobel. (Second showing, if you couldn’t make it on Friday)

Dark Horse : Charles Theater 1 : 7:00pm

The closing film of the fest, the newest feature by Todd Solondz, with an introduction by the director, one of the most controversial and acclaimed American directors of his generation.