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Fans of movie marathons will have plenty of opportunities throughout the Fox Valley to enjoy some popcorn and watch independent films at upcoming film festivals.

Film festival season will kick off in Sister Bay on Feb. 13 and 14 with the Door County Short Film Fest in the Sister Bay Town Hall.

“Our films are from all over, but the majority are local,” says Chris Opper, festival director.

Opper says the film festival is a great way to escape dreary winter weather and will feature an awards ceremony and a Saturday morning informational workshop.

“We started the Door County Short Film Festival because the area shuts down during the winter and there’s not a whole lot going on,” Opper says.

To learn more about the festival, connect with them online at cometosisterbay/festivals-and-events/door-county-short-film-fest.

Further south, the Green Bay Film Festival organizers are combing through 440 submissions for their weekend-long festival at the Radisson Hotel between March 6-8.

“We’ve developed a really terrific reputation as a warm and friendly town for filmmakers to come and enjoy the festival,” says Cyndee Sweatland, festival director.

New this year, the festival will feature a Future Filmmakers competition for amateur filmmakers in grade school through high school.

“Winners will receive cash prizes as well as a boot camp where they can learn from professionals,” Sweatland says.

For more information on this festival visit gbfilmfestival.org.

In late March, movie lovers can head over to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for the 14th annual Wildwood Film Festival on March 21.

Wildwood Film Festival

“Going back over 14 years there’s always a couple (films) — one or two every year — that pop out,” says Jason Bunn, director and cofounder of Wilwood Film Festival. “We’ll expect nothing less this year. For anybody that has attended the festival, there’s always a couple that just absolutely blow your socks off.”

After the showings, audiences will have the chance to party with some of the filmmakers at Dèjá Vu Martini Lounge, a long-time supporter of the festival.

“At the end of the day, people have a change to have some hors d’oeuvres and drinks and let their hair down,” Bunn says. “Anyone with a ticket can go over there and meet friends and hopefully make new ones.”

To learn more or order tickets, visit wildwoodfilmfest.com.

Put the DVDs on pause and head over to one of these exciting film festivals to be amazed by filmmaking masterminds.

—By Haley Walters