“there are film festivals everywhere,” said Nolene Triska, who directs the festival, started in 2005, with local artist Kolieha Bush, creator of the festival’s sculptured award. “but I don’t know of many with children going head-to-head with professionals.

Some of the films qualifying for the best Junior award are amazingly good.”

the Performing Arts Group of Estacada and Estacada together sponsor the popular movie fest, with donated proceeds going toward both organizations’ missions to bring performing arts and culture to the community.

Local volunteers fire up PAGE’s popcorn maker an hour before the event so the fragrance fills the auditorium.

“What’s a movie without popcorn?” said Triska. “Estacada’s Les Schwab Tire Center donates it for every festival, and we’re extremely grateful.”

This year’s festival lineup includes “The Ascent,” a Civil-War era flick; “Dental Care,” a comedic junior film; “Comet Crash 9,” featuring poetry and wonder; “mr. Willard,” another junior film, involving an aggressive elder; “”these Days (Summer),” which spotlights idyllic times with family and friends; “Daemn Libri,” an edgy thriller; Junior film “The Paper Boy,” offering spooky drama; “To Disappear,” an experiment with animation; “a little more Time,” a cautionary documentary; “Makeover,” a junior film with a funny twist; and the thoughtful and wry “Because of Mismatched Shoes.”

The family-friendly program will also feature a showing of Portland General Electric’s small movie about the Estacada Art Commission’s Powerhouse Art Jam event at PGE’s Oak Grove plant. the project brought a couple dozen area creative types into the facility last May for inspiration that culminated in writing, art and photos on display at the Estacada Public Library, Clackamas County buildings and PGE’s headquarters in Portland.

The festival’s judges have already chosen category winners and the grand prize. this year’s judges include writer Steven Amick, educator Martha Amick and movie set designer Nina Bradford, all area residents. Bradford attended the Academy Awards in February, with her production-designer husband, Laurence Bennett, who was nominated for his work on this year’s Oscar-winning best Picture, “The Artist.”

this year’s event is officially called the “Performing Arts Group of Estacada’s 2012 fifth Quasi-Annual International Teeny Tiny Film Festival,” a title that reflects the show’s roughly every- eighteen-month-or-so occurrence and that, one year, a film from great Britain won the coveted “Teeny.” “we were astounded,” said Triska. “Somehow – from the Internet, I guess – they’d heard of us.” Doors open at 7 p.m. at the auditorium, 500 N. Main St., Estacada. for more information, go to or send an email to:

Dinner and Dance Social: Music provided by the Heartland Classic Country Band. Monthly 5 p.m. first and third Sat. *. Estacada Community Center, 200 Clubhouse Drive, Estacada; $5, includes a hot meal and beverages; 503-630-7454

Chicken Chat and Coop Tour: 9:30-10:30 a.m., get tips on backyard birds and raising and handling chickens. Tour private coops and feed stores in the Estacada/Eagle Creek/Barton areas (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). 9 a.m. Sat, April 14. the Wade Creek House, 664 Wade St., Estacada; $10 individual, $15 per couple ($5 for each additional person ages 11 and older), free for ages 10 and younger