RIDGEFIELD - Filmmakers from as far away as China and Korea and as nearby as Ridgefield and Katonah will gather in the picturesque town of Ridgefield next weekend for the inaugural Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF).A Hard Day's Night at 7:30 pm Friday, at Ballard Park. The opening ceremony will also include a performance by Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble. Directed by Albert Montecalvo, the ensemble will perform a selection of themes from famous movie scores. Admission is free, but tickets are suggested to hold a place.Surviving Sandy Hook.Manhattan Night on Saturday at 7 pm at Ridgefield Playhouse. The narrative feature stars Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovsky, Campbell Scott, and Jennifer Beals. Based on the novel Manhattan Nocturne by Colin Harrison, it has a running time of 1 hour, 53 minutes, and is rated R.riff.website.

Running May 20-22, with film and music events happening all along Main Street, the festival, created by local playwright and theater director Joanne Hudson, is a site-specific film festival that aims to make the world a more compassionate place through the sharing of stories from around the world through cinema. Local residents have opened their homes to traveling "official selection" filmmakers of the more than 70 films from 23 countries that will be given screenings in seven curated venues.

The festival focuses on the art and craft of filmmaking, and will include master classes in various aspects of filmmaking and film appreciation. Visit riff.website/masterclasses for details including the schedule.

And, RIFF Rocks the Park will bring concerts and an outdoor showing of a classic Beatles film to Ballard Park.

In addition, affordable babysitting is available through the RIFF Kids program at the Boys & Girls Club.

RIFF will wrap with an awards ceremony and garden party on Sunday, May 22, at Keeler Tavern Garden House.

Ms Hudson's theater background shaped her vision for the festival and led her to partner with seven different venues, all within walking distance from one another, to create a unique filmgoing experience for attendees throughout the weekend. Films will be screened at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road; Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main Street; The Prospector Theatre, 25 Prospect Street; Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main Street; Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street; Ballard Park, 485 Main Street; and Luca's Cafe & Restaurant, 3 Big Shop Lane.

The festival's lineup includes features, shorts, animation, documentaries, and narrative films.

The official opening event will be a free screening of

RIFF Rocks The Park will continue on Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, with performances by eight local bands who have been tasked with performing original material and covers of songs that have appeared in films or on soundtracks over the years.

While some films have come to RIFF from away, some have a local connection. Several filmmakers and subjects have local roots, including

Directed by Jezza Neumann of the UK, the documentary follows three Newtown families as they rebuild their lives after 12/14. Some are taking the lead in community healing, others advocate for a change in gun laws, all are seeking healing.

Over the course of a year, some venture out of their "safe" suburban community with new eyes; engaging with black urban America, with youth who are coming together from all walks of life to make change, gun proponents, and with prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes.

"This film," according to the director, "shows the audience how even amidst such a horrific event, people find a way to survive, and brings a unique perspective to the ongoing gun debate.

The documentary has a running time of 1 hour, 31 minutes. It will be screened at Ridgefield Playhouse at 11:30 am Saturday. Tickets are $10.

Tickets for most programs are $10. Special events are $15 and $25, an All Festival Pass is $50, and an All Access Pass is $75.

Among the special events is a screening of Lionsgate Premiere's

Tickets for the screening are $15, while tickets for the screening and a post-screening Director Talk-Back and after party are $25.

Tickets for the Welcome Filmmakers & Student Film Awards, Friday from 5 to 7 pm at Keeler Tavern Museum's Garden House, are $15.

Tickets for RIFF Awards, the garden party to celebrate the festival's official selection filmmakers on Sunday at 2 pm, are $25.

For tickets and passes to all events, visit

On Saturday from noon until 4 pm, the Boys & Girls Club, at 41 Governor Street, will open its doors to RIFF attendees for a special program of kid-friendly films and activities for kids in grades K-8. This drop-off, pick-up program is open to all parents attending RIFF events. Cost is $10 per child, and parents will need to show a RIFF ticket or pass at drop off. Pizza will be served for lunch.

Reservations are requested and can be done by calling 203-438-8821.