BEVERLY HILLSFor the 17th consecutive year, the Annual Polish Film Festival started on Wednesday, October 12 at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, and on Thursday at the Laemmle theaters in Santa Monica and North Hollywood. The Beverly Hills Laemmle will be showing one film on Sunday.

The theaters partnered with the Polish American Film Society in “celebrating the greatest achievements of Polish filmmakers.”

The first night at the Egyptian Theater on Wednesday started th with the screening of  “The Eccentrics. The Sunny Side of the Street.” The movie, based on a novel by Wlodzimierz Kowalewski, has received several awards from festivals in Poland.

Various films being shown range from shorts to full-length features, and include a wide variety of genres. The festival offers Los Angeles locals a taste of Polish culture and an expanded view of the film industry beyond Hollywood, for those looking for an alternative. For film buffs, several of the filmmakers will be present during the showings.

Full-length films require a standard movie ticket, but animation, documentary and short films offer free admission. Passes for the free showings are available only at the various box-offices on a first come first serve basis.

The festival, taking place in select theaters, as well as the campuses of the University of Southern California and California State University-Northridge, will continue until October 20.