AFI, Montgomery College and the DC Independent Film Festival continue their ongoing monthly showcase of independent films, with two outstanding film presentations opening the 2005 season. Screenings will be preceded by casual filmmaker "Meet and Greets" a half-hour before show time in AFI Silver's café, followed by filmmaker Q&As. MARS shows are regularly screened on the first Tuesday of the month and they are always $5.

Baltimore's Skizz Cyzyk Live! THE SHORT FILMS & VIDEOS OF SKIZZ CYZYK: A Retrospective Spanning 1983 to Present

Three brand new pieces (MANAGER'S CORNER, featuring an Earl Weaver meltdown; GUMDROPS; and the morph-o-rific HAIR DRYER CHAIRS VERSION 2004) cap off this retrospective of lowbudget, cinematic oddities from Baltimore's underground auteur Skizz Cyzyk. Other works include award-winning shorts (the animated FOUR FILMS IN FIVE MINUTES; the political ukulele-driven music video DAMN YOU MR. BUSH!; the Jackass-meets-Todd Haynes STAR SPANGLED BABYDOLL; and the Night Flight classic BAD ALIENS FROM ANOTHER PLANET), plus several music videos, odd docs and experimental shorts.

Directed/written/produced/peformed by Skizz Cyzyk. US, 1983-present, b&w/color, approx. 70 min. NOT RATED. SOME MATERIAL MAY BE UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

Adrian Muys Live On Stage! bloodsworth.

Using all local and nonprofessional actors-and shot on location on Maryland's Eastern Shore in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Isabel-director Adrian S. Muys's bloodsworth. tells the story of a small crabbing community dealing with the physical and emotional wreckage of the storm. Stark black and white cinematography highlights the naked fears and desires of the townsfolk, whose harsh surroundings influence their emotions more than they know.

Directed/written/produced by Adrian S. Muys. US, 2004, b&w, 74 min. NOT RATED