The 17th annual Route 66 Film Festival will be held 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at the theater next to the Capital City Bar and Grill, 3145 South Dirksen Parkway.

The admission price is $10 for each session. There are four sessions. The price for all sessions is $35. Tickets will be available at the door.

Over two dozen films are being shown this year. Their running times range from four to 88 minutes. Seven films will be shown during session one Friday. Eight films will be shown during session two starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. Four films will be shown during session three starting at 3 p.m. Saturday. Nine films will be shown during session four starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The films are listed on the festival’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TheRoute66InternationalFilmFestival/, by session.

This year “democracy” has been added as a special category. The festival’s regular categories are: animation, comedy, debut, drama, experimental, foreign language, made in Illinois, and student.

Several films made by students are included in sessions one and four. Movies made in Illinois are included in all sessions.

“Students should want to attend,” Lana Wildman, Route 66 International Film Festival board member, said, “because independent film offers more than just a car chase.”

She said they provide good stories, memorable characters, different points of view, new perspectives, and broadens the mind.

Free popcorn will be available during all showings. According to the festival’s website, http://www.route66filmfestival.net/2018festivalinfo.html, free hors d’oeuvres will be available during evening sessions.

The festival awards ceremony will start after session four.

Besides showcasing independent film, Wildman said the not-for-profit film organization has something of value to offer students.

“Volunteering with the Film Festival can provide experiences and build transferable skills that are valuable in students’ future workplaces,” Wildman said.

These skills include event planning, not-for-profit management, web design, social media, public relations, and marketing.

Paul Watson can be reached at [email protected].