As I did last year, I’m counting my days at the festival, not the days of the festival itself. Technically the day before was Day One, as that was the Opening Night Gala, which I did not attend. I heard it was a fun time at Benaroya Hall with lots of good local eats available for the guests, and a good movie to boot (The Extra Man).

I began my festival at the Neptune at 7 o’clock (six, if you count time standing in line) with Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, a grizzly comedy of errors. In summary, it’s about a couple of hillbillies being menaced by a bunch of college kids in the Virginia woods, and it’s a hilarious rendition of teen slasher flicks. You’ll recognize the hillbillies from “Firefly” (Alan Tudyk) and “Reaper” (Tyler Labine). You might also recognize the female lead as Cerie from “30 Rock” – I recognized her, just couldn’t remember from where. Mr Labine and some others involved in the making of the film  – the director and the cinematographer, I do believe – were on hand for a Q&A afterward, which I skipped in favor of a quick dinner and more line waiting down at SIFF Cinema. [Tucker & Dale screens again on 22 May, midnight at the Egyptian.]

I don’t usually partake in the short film collections, but this year I’m taking in two. The first was Animation for Adults.  Seven of the thirteen films were from the USA, including the grotesquely funny Wisdom Teeth and Bill Plympton’s Santa, the Fascist Years. My favorite selections were 0 (Zero) out of Canada – beautiful calligraphic brush strokes appearing and disappearing from paper, The Wonder Hospital from USA – a surreal trip of colors and shapes, and France’s The Little Dragon – a loving homage to Bruce Lee and toys and an audience favorite. Also featured was Latvia’s only submission to the festival, Wings and Oars, which was a bit incoherent but visually appealing. I wanted to like Man and Cat (Australia), but it was so mish-mashed with a variety of animation styles that I was too distracted to enjoy it. [Animation for Adults plays again 6 June, 9:30pm at the Neptune.]