Films are storming the Twin Cities for the fifth annual local Film Festival bringing in a taste of independent and short films, according to managing director Bill Cooper.

The festival is located at the ICON Theatre at West End, premiering films Oct. 16 to 25.

Each day there will be one to 15 films showing. Audiences are able to buy a pass for a day, as well as buying individual tickets for films.

Junior Garrett Wells said he is interested in film and will attend the festival if he gets the opportunity.

“I think it’s a fantastic event,” Wells said. “Minnesota has a fantastic independent film community, and this brings it all together into one place.”

Cooper said he is involved in the cinema business, and produces films as well as managing festivals.

“We have loved the St. Louis Park visitors and we actually do things all year long like screenings and oscar parties, but this festival is our biggest event,” Cooper said.

Cooper also said a large percentage of the films are connected to Minnesota.

“About one third of the films have Minnesota connections. Either they were shot here, the main actor is from here, or other things,” Cooper said.

Educational panels will also be offered along with the films. Particularly a youth panel which gives students and kids a chance to see young filmmakers talk about their films and show snippets of them.

Sophomore IB film student Nils Rykken has an enthusiasm for films, and said he is interested in attending the festival.

“I’d love to go, I really like film and seeing other people create films,” Rykken said.

Many people at the festival are involved in film, according to Cooper, and two-thirds of films have representatives show up to the festival.

“Myself and other people, we all work in either the acting business or the production business. We all make and work on films ourselves,” Cooper said. “We run the festival based on having a design for film makers. There are a lot of festivals who are run by people who love films, but this one is run by people who love and make films.”

Audiences will have a chance to see actors on the red carpet, go to many events such as readings and have conversations with renowned directors, according to Cooper.