Perhaps the most idiosyncratic and grassroots film festival in Halifax is on right now. I’m talking about HIFF, running from today through Saturday at the Light House Arts Centre (1800 Argyle, the former World Trade Centre).

Things get going at 6:30 this evening with the feature, So Much Tenderness, from Canadian-Colombian filmmaker Lina Rodriguez. (Director and producer Q+A will follow the screening.)

Following that is a local film, Plains, from filmmaker Romanne Walker, set on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. It screens at 9 p.m.

The festival has programmed a nice selection of shorts including a program of Canadian and Atlantic short films and a retrospective of work by James MacSwain.

You’ll also find a solid collection of international feature films and at least one documentary, the compelling-looking How To Save A Dead Friend. 

For more info on the festival and tickets, visit hiff.ca. Here’s the festival trailer: