<p>In "Odysseus' Gambit," a Cambodian immigrant plays chess in the heart of New York with the hopes of finding a better life.</p>

Movies are a shared experience. They invoke memories of special moments, transport us to different places and times, and encourage spirited discussion. Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese explains the significance of movies: Now more than ever we need to talk to each other, to listen to each other and understand how we see the world; cinema is the best medium for this. This will never be truer than Oct. 18 to 22 when the North Coast hits the red carpet for the sixth-annual Astoria International Film Festival.

A world-class film festival, AIFF draws heavily upon the wide diversity of Northwest filmmakers. Ron Craig, founder and executive director of the nonprofit AIFF, is driven to execute that goal. Our mission is to attract and showcase the work of independent regional filmmakers, Craig said. Its a conduit for telling stories and seeing people, places and situations many of us never see. The dream of gathering little-known films and filmmakers always appealed to Craig. Therere countless films that never make it to the big screen, like having a race car and not racing in the Indy 500, he said. I wanted these filmmakers to get well-deserved recognition.

When the opportunity arose to stage such an event on the North Coast, Astoria was the logical choice. Astoria is the perfect historical and cultural backdrop, Craig said. Theres so much history and natural beauty, with the Columbia River as a backdrop and the surrounding mountains and rivers. Add the abundance of great regional artists and supportive local sponsors, and I cant think of a better venue. The Liberty Theater, which serves as the centerpiece for viewing the festivals entries, fits Craigs vision. The Liberty is fantastic, the perfect style of theater, Craig said. Like Astoria, the Liberty resonates with history and atmosphere.

The festival will kick off Thursday, Oct. 18 with a screening of Adventures in Plymptoons! a tribute to Oregon native and Oscar-nominated cartoonist Bill Plympton. Its a look at a native son and his contributions to the world of animation, Craig said. The film also plays Saturday. Additional festival entries will screen Friday, Oct. 19 through Monday, Oct. 22, concluding with a final viewing of the Bill Plympton documentary. All three Plympton screenings will be held at Lightbox Photographic Gallery and Fine Printing.

Another regionally topical film is We Grew Wings. It chronicles the untold story of the University of Oregons womens track and field team and the progression of womens sports over the last 40 years since the passage of Title IX. Co-Directed by Portland filmmakers Sarah Henderson and Erich Lyttle, the movie encompasses personal interviews, never-before-seen event footage and a historical view of the women of Oregon. The film screens 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Liberty Theater. A question-and-answer session about We Grew Wings will take place later that day at 6 p.m. at Marie Antoinettes Cupcake Parlor.

While the film entries are the main draw, the festivals mission includes education as well. AIFF showcases submissions of independent film, video artists and writers, Craig said. We also provide workshops and seminars for students of film and the interested public. Its an important opportunity for filmmakers and their public to meet and to learn from one another.

To facilitate this, the schedule includes a wide variety of educational opportunities: a young peoples film seminar, question-and-answer periods after selected films, and a chance to meet and greet the filmmakers at a reception hosted by the Cannery Pier Hotel. The schedule is extremely well-rounded, Craig said. It was designed to have something for film-lovers of all interest levels.

First and foremost, Craig wants the festival to showcase submissions from regional talent. Dedicated artists need outlets, he said. Its a struggle to be an artist, and we want to do our part to ease that struggle. To that end, Craig sees the potential to introduce larger audiences to the regional artists who make up the AIFF. Weve partnered with Sundial Travel in Astoria to coordinate a destination package, Craig said. It includes film passes, hotels and side trips around Astoria. The packages will originate from Union Station in Portland. It introduces film fans to the festival and to Astoria.

The AIFF is a labor of love. Duke Ellington said, music is my mistress, Craig said. Film has always been my obsession. There is no other medium like it to convey ideas and emotions. As the AIFF evolves, Craig continues to find excitement in showcasing film and Astoria. If you can dream it, you can do it, he said. This festival is the culmination of dreams and dreamers. We are blessed to have such a supportive and beautiful community to share them with.