The fifteenth annual film festival was sidelined by Covid the last couple of years, so finding its catalog in the mailbox and hearing its announcements on the radio feel like a reprieve from pandemic jail. The program, as always, is a rich mix of screenings of documentary movies, gala parties, panel discussions, a whole section of indigenous films and another on the subject of cannabis, the cleverest shorts, a children’s special, international offerings, meet-the-filmmaker Q&As, a book signing, and more. The weekend is always a rush to get in as many viewings and events as possible (I bought ten tickets–yeeks!), shown in various venues all over Mendocino and with many films and filmmakers at Fort Bragg’s Coast Cinemas. Find programs, venues, and tickets at www.mendocinofilmfestival.com