A Fan's Guide To Renton FilmFrenzy 2011

Renton residents who are out and about this weekend may run into gangs of people bearing video cameras, running through city parks and streets, or invading businesses. There is no cause for alarm; most likely they will be participating in the .

The FilmFrenzy celebrates all things Renton. Filmmakers have just 50 hours to write, shoot, edit and submit their 4-minute films, which must take place entirely within the city. The competition begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.

“There’s an exciting energy about the FilmFrenzy,” said Mary Clymer, owner of . Her store serves as the drop-off point for the completed films each year.

Clymer encourages city residents to come watch the finished films later this month.

“Be ready to laugh and have a good time,” she said. The subjects are always surprising, so she advised the audience to “be ready for anything, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.”

This year, for the first time, the public will have the opportunity to view all the films, not just the judges’ top picks. A Renton FilmFrenzy Screening has been added to the festival schedule on Oct. 24. There will be no charge to attend the screening, and the films will be suitable for all ages.

“We won’t know until this Sunday evening how many teams actually complete their films, but typically it’s 90 to 95 percent,” said Suzanne Dale Estey, Renton’s economic development director. Sixteen teams have entered.“Once we know the total number of films we’ll be showing, we’ll finalize our schedule. We will show each film just once on the 24th. An emcee will introduce each film and the filmmakers.”

Audience members at the Screening will vote for their favorite film, and a special Curvee will go to the winner at the Curvee Awards Gala the next night.

“We really hope to see members of the public attend the Gala, too,” Dale Estey said. “We do our best to make this a really special experience, with local luminaries participating in the program.”

The entrants compete for cash prizes and other awards. The films also go on YouTube, where they generate a lot of buzz for Renton, Dale Estey said.

For those who are really interested in the stories behind the stories, the final event of the FilmFrenzy is Renton FilmTalk, on Oct. 26. The filmmakers will appear at various locations around the city to discuss their films. Locations for each talk will be announced at a later date. Audience members may also enter prize drawings that will be held at every location.

The Renton FilmFrenzy is sponsored by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign.

FilmFrenzy Screening

• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Date: Monday, Oct. 24
• Where: Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S. Third St.
• Cost: Free

Curvee Awards Gala

• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 25
• Where: Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, 400 S. Second St.
• Cost: Free

Renton Film Talk

• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 26
• Where: Multiple locations, to be announced
• Cost: Free