Lowell Film Festival
April 4-5
Various locations in Lowell
Free; RSVP to getinthefilm@lowellfilms.org

Lowell's not necessarily the epicenter of film, but it's getting into the swing of things next weekend (April 4-5) with its first film festival. Focusing on globalization and immigration, the festival reflects how Lowell is growing and changing as rapidly now as it did in the city's 19th century heyday. The festival opens Friday, April 4 with headliner film Sacco & Vanzetti, a detailed documentary about the infamous anarchists including interviews with Howard Zinn and other noted historians. Other notable films are Bamako, which details a Malian couple's romantic struggles in the midst of their country's battle with the IMF; Bling: A Planet Rock, in which hip hop stars like Kanye and Jadakiss visit African diamond mines; and Eliminated without Bleeding, covering the Khmer Khan people of Vietnam.

Many films, including Sacco & Vanzetti, will also feature Q&A sessions with the director or other involved with the movie. In addition to varied multicultural film offerings, the Lowell Film Festival also offers an open mic with Lowell Poetry Slam host Febo and an African dance demo, a panel on what it means to be a filmmaker, and a short films contest with awards given out Saturday night.

Check the full schedule online and see which free films will draw you to Lowell!