Every spring, the Cinequest Film Festival takes over downtown San Jose, filling it with film lovers and film makers from all over the globe. This year is the twenty-second for the festival, which focuses on encouraging and empowering maverick filmmakers. This is the place to be if you are interested in reaching beyond the familiar flicks Hollywood churns out, are an aspiring filmmaker who wants to learn more about the art and tech of moviemaking, or love interacting with actors, directors, and movie crews.

Whatever your angle, if you’re interested in independent film Cinequest is well worth checking out. With over 155 films from 40 different countries and 60 US, North American, and world premieres, the festival is the place to be to see movies impossible to find anywhere else.

This year’s Maverick Spirit Award recipients are writer-director Terence Davies (The House of Mirth), writer-director Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff), actor Elliott Gould (Ocean’s Eleven), and celebrity chef Michael Mina. There’s also an Emerging Maverick Award going to chef Michael Miller. Check out the various special events dedicated to each at www.cinequest.org.

Cinequest is also continuing its tradition of screening significant and interesting silent films by screening F.W. Murnau’s “Faust” on March 9th. The horror-fantasy film will be accompanied by Dennis James on the Wurlitzer Theater Organ and Theremin, and Mark Goldstein on the Buchla Lightning Wands.

Below are brief guides for some of the many sorts of folks who might enjoy attending. Be sure to check the Films and Events listings at www.cinequest.org to confirm times, check out new additions, and buy tickets.

Buying Tickets and Passes

Buy Tickets or Passes at www.cinequest.org, by calling 408-295-FEST (295-3378), or at the box office of Camera 12, San Jose Repertory Theatre, or the California Theatre. All box offices open 45 minutes before the first screening of the day.

General Admission – $10
Silent Cinema Screenings – $10
Matinee – $7
Students – $5

Cinequest Venues:
* Camera 12 Cinemas – 201 S. Second Street, San Jose
* San Jose Repertory Theatre – 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
* California Theatre – 345 South First St, San Jose
* San Jose State University’s Hal Todd Theatre – E. San Fernando St. at 5th St., San Jose

General Guidelines

* Unless you buy the Express Line Pass ($100), which gets you into the express line, be sure to show up early for films. I usually plan to show up at least 30 minutes ahead of time, pass or ticket in hand.
* There are plenty of places to eat downtown, though many of them are a bit pricey. Remember to schedule time to eat if you’re planning to see a lot of movies in a row, even if you just stick a granola bar in your pocket. Water is also important — most venues will allow bottles of water with sports tops.
* The events and forums can sell out, so unless you want to depend on rush tickets, get your tickets as far in advance as you can.
* Parking is usually scarce and pricey during Cinequest, so if at all possible, take public transit. There are park-and-ride lots at many light rail stations, and light rail drops you off right in the heart of the festival. Save money, time, and the environment!
* Unless you’re attending screenings and events all at the same building, wear comfy shoes for walking. It’s farther from the Camera 12 Cinemas to the California Theater than you probably think!
* Not sure what to see or what to avoid? Check out www.ealasaid.com/cineblog for reviews.

Film Lover

You’re sort of person who makes up such a big portion of Cinequest’s attendees that there’s a special pass just for you. It will get you into any film screening (provided you get in line early enough that they don’t run out of space before you get in) without having to buy tickets.
Planning: Check out the list of films at www.cinequest.org/films.php and the reviews at www.ealasaid.com/cineblog to make a list of films you’re interested in seeing, then cross-check them with the evenings you’re available on the schedule at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php
Tickets: If you’re going to see more than 14 films, get a Film Lover Pass ($145.00) to get the most bang for your buck.

Film Maker

Love movies, and love learning about making them? You’ll want to see as many movies as you can as well as attending the forums.
Planning: There are forums about various aspects of filmmaking throughout the festival. Check the schedule to see what all is covered — it’s an impressive range this year. Also be sure to take a look at the film schedule to see what you can take in! Plus, every night through March 9th, there are Maverick Meet-Ups (no tickets necessary!), where you can hang out with filmmakers and film lovers of all stripes. See www.cinequest.org for the locations.
Tickets: For movie tickets, see Film Lover above. The forums are $10-$20/day. If you’re planning to attend all the forums and a bunch of movies, consider the Mavericks pass ($250), which will get you into all the films and forums.

Festival Junkie

Don’t want to miss a single thing at Cinequest? Forums, films, events, parties, even the VIP lounge? Well, there’s a special pass just for you, if you have the time and money.
Planning: Schedule a vacation from work and look through the entire schedule online at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php to see what all you want to attend.
Tickets: The VIP All Access Pass ($500) is the way to go. It gets you into everything.