Seattle's True Independent Film Festival begins

Seattle's True Independent Film Festival, otherwise known as STIFF, gets under way this weekend and continues through June 12 at a variety of locations, including the Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous, Central Cinema and Northwest Film Forum.

Among this week's potential highlights are several from local filmmakers: the world premiere of Oliver Tuthill's crime thriller "The Right to Bear Arms"; Ellen Frick's documentary "Patriot Guard Riders"; and Koi Walker's documentary about the 2009 Seattle mayoral race, "Citizen Mayor." For more STIFF information, see www.trueindependent.org.

In addition to its STIFF screening, the documentary "Patriot Guard Riders," about the motorcycle group formed to separate military funeralgoers from radical Westboro Baptist Church demonstrators, will screen Saturday at the Rialto Theatre in Tacoma with its director Ellen Frick (of West Seattle) present, along with several of the riders shown in the film. It will screen with the documentary "The Corporal's Diary: 38 Days in Iraq." Tickets are $10.50 for the double feature and available at the door or through www.broadwaycenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, 901 Broadway, Tacoma; for more information, see www.patriotguardmovie.com or www.thecorporalsdiary.com.

The 1948 horror comedy "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" drops by the Grand Illusion for a week's run, featuring the comedy team as a pair of baggage clerks who misplace a monstrously important shipment, with Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. co-starring. 1403 N.E. 50th St., Seattle; 206-523-3935 or www.grandillusioncinema.org.

The Historic Everett Theater kicks off a Thursday-night film noir series this week with the 1958 cop drama "The Big Combo"; other films in the series include "Kansas City Confidential" (June 16), "He Walked by Night" (July 7) and "Scarlett Street" (July 14). Tickets are $5; screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are hosted by KSER radio personality Jon Noe. 2911 Colby Ave., Everett; 425-258-6766 or www.everetttheatre.org.

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725 or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com