Bundle up for 2011’s first festival season

SEATTLE

Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival: We film buffs who are annually bombarded by doings at the Sundance Film Festival must not forget the alternative, short, and quirky movies featured at this extravaganza. One of the more colorful films will be the stop-motion film out of Australia called “Zero,’’ about a world where beings are assigned numbers that indicate their worth. Poor Zero, the star of the film. But at some point Zero finds a partner and things look up. A heartwarming film to see on vacation, right? Cinerama Theatre, 2100 4th Ave., 206-324-9996. www.siff.net/presents/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=203

JAN. 28-30

DUNCAN, Okla.

Trail Dance Film Festival: Another quirky film festival, next year’s Trail Dance includes films called “Pancake Mistake,’’ billed as a movie about a “meal gone wrong’’; “Bad Romance,’’ a film about a bad breakup; and “Super Geek Math Boy!’’ about a nerd who becomes a superhero. Get there on Friday for the opening party, what the festival cleverly calls “Where the Beer and Buffalo Foam.’’ Various locations. Weekend passes $25-$40. 580-470-9330, www.traildancefilmfestival.com

JAN. 22

ALDERSHOT, United Kingdom

Retro Computer Games Festival: Why would you fly to England to play computer games? Because Aldershot is scenic — and because if you’ve secretly wanted to find a romantic partner with a sexy accent who likes Nintendo as much as you do, they’ll probably be at this event. The Garden Gate pub hosts this day of partner game playing, which includes Tetris, Halo 2, and Mario Kart. If those names don’t mean anything to you, skip this trip. But if the list gave you goose bumps — check flights, because there’s plenty of other things to do in Aldershot (and nearby London) to justify the voyage. The Garden Gate, Church Lane East, http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142535612464722

JAN. 22

CONROE, Texas

Seventh annual Montgomery Teen Book Festival: Young adult books are all the rage, especially for adult audiences who, for whatever reason, are finding peace in vampire dramas and narratives about teens who battle evil forces in dystopian futures. This festival features appearances by some of the best authors in the business, including local Lois Lowry; Anna Godbersen, who wrote “Bright Young Things’’; and Thomas E. Sniegoski, whose “The Fallen’’ became a miniseries on the Family Channel. Woodland College Park High School, 3701 College Park Drive, www.montgomerycountyteenbookfestival.com

PLAN AHEAD

APRIL 15-28

PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Science Festival: This two-week event has family vacation written all over it. The city will have hands-on science projects in multiple locations, and it all starts with a carnival that takes over Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In past years, events and exhibits have featured snakes, robots, skulls, and plants. If you’re taking teens on college visits, it’s a good way to check out Drexel, UPenn, and LaSalle, which hosts events throughout the two-week celebration. www.philasciencefestival.org

MEREDITH GOLDSTEIN

Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; check online. Meredith Goldstein can be reached at mgoldstein@globe.com.