For the second year the Lake Champlain International Film Festival (LCIFF) is bringing attention to new films and filmmakers working in any and all genres and forms of film.

According to the Lake Champlain International Film Festival’s Artist Director Jason Torrance, the November 13-15 event is even bigger and better than the inaugural year. There are 11 countries being represented: USA, France, Germany, India, Ghana, Serbia, Sweden, Canada, Spain, Iran, and Japan providing a mixture of shorts and feature length films.

“We have priced tickets to move,” says Torrance. “We are excited about this year’s festival. We have so many exciting films and films that will make you think.”

Individual tickets for a two-hour film block are $5; one “all access” (two day) festival pass is $20 while two “all access” (two day) festival passes are $30. The discounted $30 pass is to encourage people to bring a friend and view some creative films. Tickets may be purchased via the Strand Center for the Arts website or at the door.

Torrance and the other LCIFF organizers realize that attending a film festival is a relatively new activity for the Plattsburgh area. To entice more festival attendees there are several complimentary segments open to the public. The free opening reception on Friday, November 13th includes four shorts as well as a sneak preview of the upcoming Mountain Lake PBS documentary “Arts in Exile: Tibetan Treasures in Small Town America.” Saturday morning’s Short Film Showcase from 10:30 – 11:30 am is an additional free segment. This family-friendly section provides animated shorts, documentaries and silent films at the historic Strand Theatre.

Torrance says, “We want to invite people and have them experience all of these films. We want them to come and see the Strand. The town has a wonderful theater and we want to help put wonderful things in it.”

Theatregoers can also look forward to local food from Mace Chasm Food Truck on Saturday (noon – 4 pm) at the Strand Theatre entrance. Additional refreshments will be for sale all weekend in the upstairs lounge.

The Lake Champlain International Film Festival’s mission is to provide a spotlight for new films and filmmakers in all genres from drama to science fiction. Some filmmakers will be at their screening for questions and answer sessions (all panel discussions are listed on the ticket page).

Lastly, the Sunday awards ceremony is open to the public and the top winners will receive a cash prize. The film festival will culminate with a showing of “Empire of Dirt” and a panel discussion with its producer/actress Jennifer Podemeski. Enjoy!