SpIFF 2015: The films begin Thursday

Film fans take note: Thursday marks the opening of the 2015 Spokane International Film Festival. The festival, which will run through Saturday, Feb. 14, is truly international in spirit, featuring entries from some 19 different countries.

Countries represented are France, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Hungary, Australia, Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, the United Kingdom, Portugal, China, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Kosovo, Sweden — and, of course, the United States.

I went through the schedule — which you can access here — and counted a total of 51 films, including 28 shorts (compiled in three different programs: animation, Best of the Northwest and international).

The opening-night film, the Spanish-made "Vivir es facil con los ojos cerrados" (based on the Beatles lyric "Living is easy with eyes closed," from the song "Strawberry Fields Forever") will screen at 7 p.m. Thursday at AMC River Park Square. I'll be there, along with my "Movies 101" partners Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender, to intro the film.

A special opening-night reception will be held in River Park Square's Kress Gallery immediately following the screening. Admission to the reception will require a ticket stub or festival pass.

Should be a great festival. Don't miss out.