The 2018 Soo Film Festival kicks off its fifth year at 6:30 at the Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library. Festival programming continues at the library on Thursday before moving to Soo Theatre for the weekend. Screenings at Bayliss are free. Tickets for Soo Theatre screenings are available online now and will be sold only at the door beginning Friday. The full list of films, schedule, festival guide, and ticket information are available at soofilmfestival.org. The web page for each block of films links to a trailer for each film except for the very shortest films, so feel free to take advantage of what's on the web to guide your choices.

Soo Film Festival is open to filmmakers worldwide but emphasizes and showcases work from the Great Lakes region. In all, 19 countries are represented this year. Features came from as far away as Romania and as close as Sault Ste. Marie itself. In Octav a man returns to his family home after decades of absence, triggering a rewind to the life-changing events of his youth. Local filmmaker Fran Blackwood brings an updated look and all new music to a familiar tale in Nosferatu Re-Animated. Friday Night Frights headliner Interlaced delivers its scares from the Pacific Northwest. Philadelphia is the backdrop for Hanh, Solo as one woman faces the pitfalls of dating. Future comes from Detroit and tells a tale of time travel and junk food.

Documentary subjects include Michigan youth and a famed musician. Me, the “Other” features Washtenaw County students with diverse backgrounds and issues overcoming adversity with inspiring hope, courage, and strength. Up to Snuff tells the story of W.G. Snuffy Walden who overcame the excesses of rock and roll to find success as one of the most beloved composers in television history.

Sunday features a segment of short films highlighting the natural resources of Michigan. Sponsored by Bird’s Eye Outfitters of Sault Ste. Marie and entitled If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, the program presents the beauty of the state’s waterways and forests and the importance of protecting them. It screens at 3:30 at Soo Theatre.

Short film segments span a wide variety of genres. Animation, music video, narrative, and documentary are all on display. Student work is especially highlighted and could be a first look at the filmmakers of tomorrow.

All films in every category are eligible for an Audience Award. Judging takes place during the festival. Festivities attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorites.

Soo Film Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and host film and allied arts festivals in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Soo Film Festival, Inc. seeks to showcase the work of independent and emerging filmmakers, especially from the Great Lakes of North America. Our Mission: Great Lakes, Great Movies!

The most up-to-date festival news is online. Find the festival on Facebook at facebook.com/SooFilmFestival and Twitter at twitter.com/SooFilmFest.