The joy of film

Now in its eighth year, the Boston Underground Film Festival (March 22-26) once again serves up a full program of challenging flicks that don’t fit into the Hollywood mold — but are still accessible, fun, and well-lit. Films are chosen for their ability to push the envelope in their genre, but they must also meet a high standard for production values, according the festival’s managing director, Anna Feder. Films will be shown at the Brattle Theatre, the Harvard Film Archive, Coolidge Corner Theatre, and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. Filmmakers who take top honors will be awarded BUFF’s Bacchus awards — black ceramic bunnies that vibrate.

With a slate featuring music documentaries, absurdist dramas, horror films, and comedic shorts, the BUFF has a little something for everyone. Highlights include the US premiere of ‘‘The French Guy’’ (March 22 at 9 p.m. and March 23 at 5 p.m. at the Brattle), a horror farce about a painter struggling to work as his next-door-neighbor becomes unhinged following brain surgery. The film’s director, Ann Marie Fleming, an acclaimed independent filmmaker in Canada but a virtual unknown in this country, will be on hand to take questions.

Oscar-winning animator Bill Plympton will introduce ‘‘Bill’s Dirty Shorts’’ (March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Brattle and March 26 at 6:45 p.m. at the HFA), a new compilation of his short films, including ‘‘More Sex & Violence’’ and ‘‘The Exciting Life of a Tree.’’

‘‘Riot On!’’ (March 26 at 3 p.m. at the HFA), a 2004 Finnish documentary about Helsinki media entrepreneurs who con big investors out of nearly $20 million, makes its North American debut. The film was considered so inflammatory that extra security was hired for its Finland premiere.

Feeling inspired? Sign up for ‘‘Make Your Own Damn Movie!’’ (March 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Brattle) at a master class with Troma Entertainment founder Lloyd Kaufman. He’ll also host a 10th anniversary midnight screening of his punk-Shakespeare cult hit, ‘‘Tromeo & Juliet’’ (March 25 at midnight at the Brattle).

The Boston Underground Film Festival, March 22-26.

Screenings at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-876-6837.

Harvard Film Archive, Carpenter Center, Room B04, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge. 617-495-4700.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-734-2501.

Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 42 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-547-6789.

Tickets: $7; $6 students, seniors (55+), Brattle and Coolidge Corner Theatre members, and T pass holders. $75 full festival pass, $50 10-ticket pass. www.bostonundergroundfilmfestival.com

In its International Women’s Film Festival (today through April 5), the Museum of Fine Arts continues its series of films by and about women from around the world. Highlights include the Chinese drama ‘‘Stolen Life’’ (March 20 at 10:30 a.m.; see mfa.org for additional times), which took the Best Narrative Feature prize at Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Film Festival last year. It tells the story of teenager Yan-ni, who leaves her bleak rural life behind for college; her future looks bright until she discovers her new boyfriend is up to something.

‘‘Blossoms of Fire’’ (March 17 at 6:30 p.m.; see website for additional times) is an internationally acclaimed documentary about the powerful Zapotec women of southern Oaxaca, Mexico, a movie the MFA describes as a ‘‘dazzling, whirlwind dance of a film.’’

Finally, there’s ‘‘Innocence’’ (March 16 at 7:50 p.m.), a French film set in an idyllic girls’ school and a work that has been compared to the stylings of David Lynch. (For more information on the film, see our movie pick on Page 29 in this issue.)

The International Women’s Film Festival,

today through April 5.

Screenings at the Museum of Fine Arts,

465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 617-267-9300.

Tickets: $9; $8 for seniors, students,

and MFA members. Matinees are $7;

$6 for seniors and members, and free for students with valid ID. www.mfa.org/film

Belmont World Film wants to take you places. The organization’s ‘‘Extraordinary Journeys’’ series, based at the Studio Cinema in Belmont, tries to provide a look into countries most will probably never visit: such as Morocco, Thailand, and Iraq. Some of the films are paired with performances or exhibits to round out the cultural experience. According to series founder and executive director Naomi Ellenberg-Dukas, the series hopes to promote ‘‘the feeling that if people understand each other in a human way, the world will be a better place.’’

The series opens with a benefit showing of ‘‘The Overture’’ (March 19 at 7 p.m.), Thailand’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. Based on a true story, the film follows the life of a revered Thai master of the ra-nad ek, or Thai xylophone, who continued to play and inspire his listeners even after Thai classical music was banned by the government in the 1930s. The night also includes a ra-nad ek performance by Thai musician Jarunee Nugrand-Marzilli, and a pre-screening dinner at Patou Thai (69 Leonard St., Belmont. 617-489-6999).

Other series highlights include ‘‘A State of Mind’’ (March 20 at 7 p.m.), a documentary about two young North Korean gymnasts preparing for the Mass Games, an elaborately choreographed spectacle in honor of leader Kim Jong Il. The screening will be followed by a talk by Sung-Yoon Lee, a researcher at the Korea Institute at Harvard and a frequent commentator on NPR and the BBC.

In the romantic comedy ‘‘Moon of Avellaneda’’ (April 2 at 7 p.m.), the members of a dilapidated Buenos Aires club try to save it from closing. Partial proceeds from the screening of ‘‘Moon’’ will benefit the PH15 Project, a youth photography workshop founded in a Buenos Aires shantytown by photographer and former Belmont High School exchange student Martin Rosenthal. Photography by the students will be on exhibit and for sale.

The Belmont World Film’s Extraordinary Journeys, March 19-May 8.

Screenings at Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont. 617-484-1706.

Tickets: $8, $7 seniors and students.

March 19 benefit event: All tickets are $10 for the 7 p.m. screening.

Combination tickets for the film and pre-screening dinner are $30. The dinner is 4:45-6 p.m. at Patou Thai, 69 Leonard St., Belmont. 617-489-6999. A pre-movie musical performance takes place at the theater at 6:30 p.m. www.belmontworldfilm.org

Suitably pegged to St. Patrick’s Day, Boston College’s Center for Irish Programs holds its annual Irish Studies Film Series today through March 21, which includes contemporary Irish features and documentaries, along with a symposium on Irish-American film. The theme for this year’s series: ‘‘Beyond Shamrocks and Other Stereotypes.’’ All screenings are at the West Newton Cinema.

Film series highlights include:

‘‘Mickybo & Me’’ (March 17 at 7 p.m.), set in 1970, two boys — one Catholic, one Protestant — bond over their obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. ‘‘Man About Dog’’ (March 19 at 7 p.m.), a comedy about a group of losers who hope to make it big racing the greyhound dog they’ve acquired, has been compared to ‘‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.’’ In the whimsical comedy ‘‘Short Order’’ (March 19 at 9 p.m.), the heroine, Fiona, fantasizes Broadway-style musical numbers as she tries to rekindle her passion for real cooking. The symposium, which is free and open to the public, runs from 3 to 5 p.m. today in McGuinn 121 on the BC campus, and continues Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in Connolly House, also on the BC campus.

BC Irish Studies Film Series, today through March 21.

Screenings at the West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St., West Newton. 617-964-6060.

Tickets: $9.50.

Thursday’s symposium takes place at Boston College Center for Irish Programs, Connolly House, 300 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill. 617-552-6396.

Friday’s symposium takes place in McGuinn Hall, Room 121, located on Beacon Street on the BC campus.

www.bc.edu/centers/irish/studies/news/film