Beyond Batman, a local film festival

If it’s starting to feel like the only thing playing on the big screen these days are movies about superheroes, that’s because the only thing people pay money to go see anymore are movies about superheroes. Blame Netflix, blame Hollywood greed, blame the eternal need within all of us to find out whether Batman can beat up Superman, but for the foreseeable future, our silver screen destinies are tied to brooding, preternaturally gifted dudes reluctantly fulfilling their moral obligation to society. Luckily, a torrent of indie vibes descends on city this week for the annual Sacramento International Film Festival.

Kick things off with the SFF Premiere Gala on Saturday, April 23, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Other Office (928 2nd Street in Old Sacramento). There will be drinks, a fashion show, a zoot suit competition and deejays. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested.

On Sunday, April 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crest Theatre (1013 K Street), the most popular event of the week takes place: 48 Hours Sacramento, wherein local filmmakers band together to create a short in two days, centered around this year’s theme of supervillains. (I didn’t promise you could escape the whole hero-villain dichotomy entirely, did I?) Tickets are $15.

Then stick around for the 6:30 p.m. screening of #BeRobinTheMovie, a documentary from filmmaker Kurt Weitzmann that covers hundreds of musicians, comedians and activists who created a street-theatre experience to benefit and raise awareness about homelessness—an effort led by comedian Margaret Cho following the death of her friend, comedian and homelessness advocate Robin Williams; tickets are $15. Prior to the screening, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of the theater, musicians will be emulating the #BeRobin movement and busking to benefit the homeless.

Tickets and more information on various events running through Sunday, May 1, can be found by visiting http://californiafilm.net or by calling (800) 838-3006.