The New Orleans Film Festival is coming! This is a big year for the festival-- its 25th anniversary. The event will be taking place in theaters and spots converted to theaters across New Orleans from October 16-23. Over 22,000 people attended last year. The festival continues to experience exponential growth along with the film industry in Louisiana.

This year's lineup features a number of excellent films that relate to music, including the Jon Brewer biopic "BB King: The Life of Riley." Though it focuses extensively on King's music career and the trials and tribulations he faced to become the King of the blues, the movie also shows some of his early battles with racism in Mississippi, as well as the humiliation of segregation he experienced while working in the Delta's cotton fields as an orphaned child. Already critically-acclaimed and visually stunning, the documentary features commentary from an amazing cast of influential musicians and personalities--everyone from Bono to Carlos Santana. Closer to home, Aaron Neville and Dr. John appear, as well. Morgan Freeman narrates. Showings are October 19 at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and October 22 at the Prytania Theatre. Brewer is scheduled to attend both screenings.

Another musical feature included in this year's festival will showcase the talent of the late and great New Orleans resident Alex Chilton. "Big Star: Live in Memphis" features Chilton, Jody Stephens, and members of the Posies performing Big Star songs live in Memphis in the mid-1990s. The quality of the footage is top-notch, and is promoted as the only professionally shot full-length concert of the band in existence. The documentary will be making its festival premiere on October 20 at the Joy Theater. A second showing will happen October 22 at the Prytania Theatre.

Every music geek has their niche and "Jingle Bell Rocks!" explores an unusual one-- Christmas music enthusiasts. This is not your standard "Little Drummer Boy," though. When The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne is involved with something, you know the product is going to be other-worldly. This film is a cinematic sleigh-ride through the subculture of Christmas music. It features hard core collectors, legendary DJs and musicologists, record producers, and Christmas obsessives like cult film auteur John Waters.Featuring hardcore collectors, legendary DJs and musicologists, record producers, and Christmas obsessives like cult film auteur John Waters. Director Mitchell Kezin is scheduled to attend the October 19 and October 20 screenings, both at Canal Place.

A matinee showing at the Contemporary Arts Center on October 18 highlights shorts that tell the stories of local Louisianans. One woman shares her ties with Maque Chou and another tells the tales and controversies of the Lafitte Housing Development through the mouths of those who lived there. The third short highlights the work of a husband and wife duo on Oak Street who work to preserve antique furniture using traditional methods. The final short explores the relationship between African-Americans and religion. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is a community partner for the matinee.

One of the festival's marquee films for this year will be "Big Charity," a documentary focused on the story of New Orleans' Charity Hospital, from its beginnings way back in 1736, its evolution into a huge public institution, and the controversial closing after Katrina. The tale is told through firsthand accounts from healthcare providers, hospital employees, and interviews with those involved in shutting its doors, and addresses the gap many people seeking health care in the city have faced since the closure. Director Alex Gustrom is scheduled to attend along with the film's producers and some of the featured interviewees. Showing at the Joy Theater on Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30pm and Wednesday, October 22 at 6:30pm.

Wrapping up the festival will be Joe Lauro's "The Big Beat," highlighting the story of the early years of musical partnership between New Orleans legends Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew, and the birth of rock'n'roll in a small studio on Rampart (Cosimo Matassa's J&M, of course). The film follows each musician's childhoods in the city into their early careers and on to chart-topping success. Interviews include footage from Bartholomew and Domino themselves, as well as band members and scholars. "The Big Beat" will close the festival on October 23 at the Carver Theater in 7pm and 10pm back-to-back showings. Scheduled to attend: director Joe Lauro, editor Anthea Carr, writer Rick Coleman, DP David Leonard, and special guests.

Full schedule and tickets available at: http://neworleansfilmfestival.org/

Trailers below: