Cinematic showcases

San Fernando Valley International Film Festival (now through March 26): The festival promotes and encourages “the endeavors of our creative community” by providing a showcase. www.viffi.org

Silver Lake Film Festival (now through March 31): Showcases independent film and video. www.silverlakefilmfestival.org

Method Fest (March 31-April 7): Billed as the only major film festival in the U.S. that focuses on acting. www.methodfest.com

The New Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (April 1-6): Contemporary Jewish-themed films and documentaries. www.lajfilmfest.org

City of Lights, City of Angels (April 3-9): Showcases contemporary French film. www.colcoa.com

Beverly Hills Film Festival (April 5-9): Presents films by emerging directors. www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com

AFI at Arclight Presents: The 5th Annual Music Documentary Series: (April 5-May 10) Documentaries on every aspect of rock. www.arcLightcinemas.com

Malibu International Film Festival (April 7-10): Premieres new works by up-and-coming filmmakers in search of distribution and representation. www.malibufilmfestival.org

Newport Beach Film Festival: (April 20-30): Showcases studio and independent features and short films from 40 countries. www.newportbeachfilmfest.com

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (April 19-23): Presents films from and about India by Indian and international filmmakers. www.indianfilmfestival.org

Polish Film Festival (April 27-May 7): Features recent Polish films as well as retrospectives and tributes. www.polishfilmla.org

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (May 4-11): Features new works by emerging and established Asian filmmakers. www.vconline.org

Los Angeles Film Festival (June 22-July 2): Features North American independent, feature, documentary and short films, and music videos. www.lafilmfest.com

Artivist Film Festival (July): Presents films on human rights, children’s advocacy, animal rights and environmental preservation. www.artivists.org

The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival -- Outfest (July 6-17): Focuses on gay, lesbian and transgender films and filmmakers. www.outfest.org

International Family Film Festival (Sept. 22-30): Family-friendly programming. www.iffilmfest.org.

Los Angeles International Short Films Festival (September): Presents film shorts (an hour or less) from around the world. www.lashortsfest.com

Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (Oct. 5-15): Highlights Latino films from the U.S., Spain, the Caribbean and Latin America. www.latinofilm.org

Hollywood Film Festival (Oct. 18-24): Showcases domestic and international films from emerging and established filmmakers, and it includes red-carpet galas. www.hollywoodawards.com

AFI Fest 2006 (Nov. 2-12): Features new international projects from young filmmakers, as well as the latest work from established directors, as well as red-carpet gala premieres. www.afi.com