The fourth annual Ellensburg Film Festival is already under way, but the celebration of cinema really kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. with a gala and awards ceremony at Gallery One, 408 N. Pearl St. in downtown Ellensburg.

Here, grab a drink from the no-host bar and shmooze with directors, mingle with other film lovers and view the "Vertical Hold" video exhibition. The awards will be presented at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

On Saturday and Sunday, you can view nearly 40 films -- documentaries, full-length features, shorts, independents and foreign films -- at four venues throughout town.

A free Bar Noir Grindhouse Party begins at 8 Saturday night at Gallery One, with light snacks, a no-host bar and dancing to cuts from DJ CaseWag.

Full festival information, including a downloadable program, is at www.ellensburgfilmfestival.com.

-- Kim Nowacki