The town of Rehoboth plays host to the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival this week. The event is being held Wednesday, November 9th – 13th. The award-winning festival, celebrating their 14th year, has developed into a well-known event that brings culture to the coast. The five-day film fest showcases approximately 100 of the best domestic and international films.

Joe Bilancio, Festival Program Director, offers some insight on a few of the films being shown at the 2011 festival, namely–Bardsongs, The Interrupters, and Happy, Happy.

Bardsongs takes place in India and is a story about dealing with the cards life dealt you. About the benevolent and charming piece, Bilancio says,

“[It is] one of the most unique entries in the festival combining music, storytelling, and fable. It is charming, funny, and meaningful all rolled into one, or in this care three–as there are three stories that are sure to entertain.”

Another gem that will have you leaving the theater happy is The Interrupters.

“This is a very powerful and gripping story. It renews hopes for a better tomorrow,” says Bilancio.

He adds, “I would bet it has a good shot at being an Oscar nominated documentary.”

The Interrupters, being shown in Rehoboth on Saturday afternoon, has recently been announced as one of the documentaries competing for the GOTHAM award, the first big film award of the season. The film follows former gang members who change their lives for the better and disrupt violence in their neighborhoods as it happens. The characters strive to protect their communities after a huge change of heart.

Looking for something funnier and less documentary? Go watch Happy, Happy, playing Thursday night during the festival.

“This film was submitted by Norway as its entry into the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film… A great story, great acting, funny and touching all rolled into the same film," says the directory.

Happy, Happy is a sex comedy and drama produced using skilled actors, dark humor, and flat-out hilarity. The film is dedicated to the general resilience of adult relationships and is sure to get a laugh, or a few, out of the Rehoboth audience.

Film categories include features, documentaries, and short films. All films will be screened at a central, multi-screened location, the Movies at Midway Complex (202 Route One, Lewes, DE). Parking is free at the Midway Shopping Center.

Since the first Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival in 1988, things have really taken off. Now, the festival offers informative seminars, several opportunities to chat with special celebrity guests, and a children’s cinema corner. The children’s films are targeted towards elementary school-aged kids.

All ticket sales take place at the Festival Box Office–the big, giant, white tent located behind the Midway Shopping Center, just outside of the theater. Ticket sales support nearly 60% of festival production costs.  Ticket prices are the same for any of the movies presented. General admission tickets are $9 for adults, senior, youth, and student tickets are $8.

Area locals can purchase tickets of the Film Fest’s Locals Night on Wednesday, November 9th at 107 Truitt Avenue, Rehoboth. Local’s Night was an idea developed to increase Film Fest accessibility. Several movies will be shown on Wednesday, when locals can purchase tickets after 3 pm at the Truitt location, or at the Midway Complex. Festival coordinators hope that offering two locations to purchase tickets will bring more visitors to the event.

The big tent is also the place to be for be for other exciting film-related events. On Saturday, November 12th, the tent transforms into a party with delicious beer, tasty wine, and boisterous French Baroque dancing. Starting at 6 pm and continuing for an hour, guests 21 years of age and older can sample several French wines courtesy of Teller Wines. Enjoy some wine, and then some beer, too. At 8:30, a crew from local Dogfish Head Brewery will hold a beer tasting. A group of professional Baroque dancers, a type of dance that is the basis of classical ballet, will perform in the tent at 9:15 pm.

Keep in mind that a trip to the theater at the film fest is just like any other trip to the movies. Guests are expected to be courteous to others that are enjoying the presented films. No backpacks, large bags, recording devices, or beverages will be permitted in the theater. Food and beverages will be available in the big tent throughout the festival but must be consumed outside.

The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is the oldest and largest film festival in Delaware. With that said, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s film festival – November 7th – 11th, 2012.

A full program for this year’s event is available on the festival’s website.