Strip-search-free French films

February is an odd month, like a seasonal limbo in which people are stuck between cozy winter activities and the awesomeness of summer. Unless you’re one of the lucky fools to be on the French Riviera during February for Carnaval de Nice. However, people don’t have to endure pat-downs and strip-searches in international airports just to experience French culture. The Sacramento French Film Festival will offer a small dose of fine French filmmaking during the third annual Winter Short Film Screening. It’s also a benefit for the ninth annual Sacramento French Film Festival in June. The program will feature premieres of new French short films, some favorites from previous festivals, and wine and snacks during intermission. It’s just enough to hold people over until the real festival this summer. The films will be in French, but luckily, accompanied by English subtitles. Whew!

The third annual Winter Short Film Screening will be Saturday, February 27, at 7 p.m.; $5. Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th Street; www.sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.org.