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Mad about movie making

Scheming Aussie avengers, culinary delights, misbehaving ock stars, daredevil envionmentalists, Afghan ricket underdogs, yodeling lesbians, pint-sized agicians, Mumbai slums live with the sound of usic and over-zealous These are just a few of the ing

Scheming Aussie avengers, culinary delights, misbehaving ock stars, daredevil envionmentalists, Afghan ricket underdogs, yodeling lesbians, pint-sized agicians, Mumbai slums live with the sound of usic and over-zealous

These are just a few of the ingredients that lit up theatre screens since the Victoria Film Festival kicked off on Feb. 4 with its glitzy, Antarctic-themed opening gala at the Atrium, the first of many parties, receptions and industry mixers.

This year's version of what many visitors refer to as the "friendly festival" attracted thousands of cinephiles and some surprisingly laid-back and accessible guests including filmmakers Bruce McDonald, Ron Mann, Don McKellar and Larry Weinstein.

"I wish all moviegoers could be as well-behaved as these film festival crowds," noted one patron, astonished by the sight of festival-goers taking their garbage out of the theatre, keeping quiet during the movie and staying for the end credits.

Today is your last chance to see some standout fare as the festival fades to black tonight, including movies we recommend such as Out of the Ashes, Fathers and Sons, The Matchmaker and Standing Silent.

There's also still time to shmooze at the festival's bustling, way-cool social hub -the Empire Lounge at the Office, 759 Yates St.

And, yes, there's one more party -the End of Festival Bash tonight at 9 at Spinnakers Brew Pub (308 Catherine St.). It's your last chance to hobnob with actors and filmmakers and take in the festival's annual awards presentation.

For our latest festival reviews, see page C9, or visit timescolonist.com.

For Twitter feeds, follow @michaeldreid

mreid@timescolonist.com