The second annual alive! Deep Focus Film Festival returns to the Arena Grand Theatre on Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7. Presented by alive!, Columbus’ premier entertainment publication, this four-day event will screen some of the best, most accessible films made outside the mainstream.

Named after a camera technique that presents images in the foreground and background with equal clarity, the Deep Focus Film Festival is geared toward the growing audience for independently made features, foreign films and documentaries.

“There are many great movies that never make it to a city of Columbus’ size,” explained Melissa Starker, alive!’s arts editor and director of the Deep Focus Film Festival. “The festival will spotlight a few of these, as well as films that could arrive later in Columbus, but might get missed in the summer blockbuster season.”

The festival will present 10 full-length features. Short films by Ohio filmmakers will precede several selections. An opening night gala and after-party will be held at the Red Star Tavern, adjacent to the Arena Grand Theatre. Admission to the opening night gala is free with an opening night movie ticket. The complete line-up and screening times will be announced in the April 20 edition of alive!.