MINI-SpIFF
Oct. 10, 13, 26
Hold your eyeballs there for a second. The Spokane International Film Festival isn't until the end of January, but the independent cinema-loving organization behind that event is giving you a little something to whet your filmic appetite with this series of international films. First off on Oct. 10 is Dead Snow 2, a Norwegian goofball horror/comedy film about Nazi zombies and a whole bunch of other weird stuff. On Oct. 13, you'll be treated to Purgatorio, a Mexican documentary that takes a stylized and almost mythical approach to telling the story of those living near the U.S. border. The last show on Oct. 26 is Return to Homs, a documentary about life in Syria for three young men. (MB) Magic Lantern Theater, $8, Oct. 10 at 8:30 pm, Oct. 13, 26 at 7 pm
WALKING THE CAMINO
Oct. 10-12, 14-16
Hey there; you look like the sort of person who'd gladly travel to a foreign country and then take a casual 500-mile walk. Right? Well, see if you're up to it after checking out director Lydia B. Smith's documentary about a group of strangers from different countries, lifestyles and age groups who walk the ancient Camino de Santiago in northern Spain as part of a modern-day pilgrimage. The characters will draw you in, as will the gorgeous scenery along the trail. Smith will be on hand at the Oct. 10 and 11 screenings to answer questions about the film, and the two screenings on Oct. 12 are followed by a presentation from Gonzaga University alumna Maggie Cech, who walked the trail in 2013 before joining on to help with the film. She can let you know if you've got what it takes to walk 500 miles. (MB) Magic Lantern Theater, Oct. 10-11 at 6:15 pm, Oct. 12 at 5 pm and 7:15 pm, Oct. 14-16 at 7 pm
AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Oct. 11
This fundraiser for the Idaho Mythweaver features documentaries and shorts about the lives of Native Americans. Sherman Alexie recommended the feature-length film (he said it's better than Smoke Signals) by producer/director Sterlin Harjo called This May Be the Last Time, a 2014 selection at Sundance about the use of song in Native American culture. Grab depicts the Southwest tradition of a giveaway day, Indian Relay is all about bareback horse racing, and a series of animated shorts called Injunuity will play between films. (JM) Panida Theater, $12, 6 pm
SPOKANE LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL
Nov. 6, 13, 20
[UPDATE: Organizers have cancelled this year's event.] This annual film fest has undergone some changes since last year, most notably the retirement of Barb Lee, the founder and program director of what was previously known as the GLBT Film Festival. Along with the new name and committee working in Lee's place, the festival is moving to the Magic Lantern Theater for its three nights of contemporary indie films of particular interest to the LGBTQ community and unlikely to be found in local theaters or on mainstream television. (DN) Magic Lantern Theater, 6:30 pm
THE SOUND OF MUSIC SING-A-LONG
Dec. 6
Embrace one of the most classic musicals with a few of your favorite things — singing along with guided subtitles, costume contests and interacting with complimentary props during a lively screening. Past attendees have taken up nun costumes, worn white dresses with blue satin sashes and even dressed up as the Alps. This is the fourth annual active showing of Julie Andrews' big-screen performance in Spokane, and the tradition continues to bring nostalgic grown-ups and enthusiastic kids together. Embrace the opportunity to sing loudly without embarrassment. (MS) INB Performing Arts Center, $20, 7 pm
