FirstGlance Film Festival

Thu.-Sun., Oct. 14-17, various times, $8-$60, Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., firstglancefilms.com.

by Eric Schuman

[ film festival ]

Even as it nears its 200th birthday, the Franklin Institute still sports plenty of surprises. One thing you might not expect to see alongside the Tornado Machine and Aviation Gallery is an independent film festival. This year, the 13th annual FirstGlance Film Fest offers more films than ever before, with offerings that range in length from music videos to full features. And several of the films, including PING, The Romantic and 10 Mountains, 10 Years, were shot right here in Philadelphia. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of FirstGlance's Satellite Festival in Burbank, Calif., so you can expect spirits to be extra high throughout the run. That's cool and all, but it's doubtful that other festival can say it shares a venue with a walk-through heart.

Thu.-Sun., Oct. 14-17, various times, $8-$60, Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., firstglancefilms.com. Visit Critical Mass for a slew of reviews.