Lights. Camera. But action will definitely be the key word as aspiring filmmakers, actors and writers from every genre come to the Space Coast for the ninth-annual Melbourne International Filmmakers’ Festival. The event has become a staple in the local arts community.

The festival, scheduled for Nov. 2^nd and 3^rd at the Premiere Oaks 10 Theater on Hibiscus Avenue and the Henegar Center in downtown Melbourne, brings together filmmakers and actors from all over the region and the world, all proceeds to benefit two local charities.

The festival will feature the screening of about forty movies, of varying length, in categories such as comedy, horror, feature length and local competitors in Florida Today’s “90 Seconds to Fame” contest.

The festival is the brain-child of program director Terry Cronin. Cronin along with three other members of 3 Boys Production Company, formed a Melbourne-based entertainment company more than a decade ago. The company also writes and publishes the critically praised “Students of the Unusual” comic that is distributed nationally and internationally but uses many local legends.

“I’m a filmmaker and I worked with my friends on various small films which we then brought to various festivals,” Cronin said. “We were always honored with being selected but frequently disappointed at the lack of a ‘fun-factor’ at the events. We thought we could do it with a little more glamour and fun.”

Cronin said the venue is a great place to see new talent and innovative ideas.

“Everybody who loves filmmaking has a creative urge,” he said. “This festival offers fans a chance to see some unknown talent trying to break into the industry. We strive to allow opportunities for these filmmakers to meet, network and promote their projects. I have had many successful filmmakers tell me that the best thing about MIFF is that our audience is so large, knowledgeable and, most of all, so friendly.”

Cronin said the most important facet about MIFF is that all proceeds from the festival are donated to two local charities: Unconditional Love and Yellow Umbrella.

Unconditional Love is a private, non-profit, HIV patient care center, where patients from all backgrounds can receive quality care.

The Yellow Umbrella Organization helps to prevent child abuse by providing a parent-aide program, community education, and other activities that promote positive parenting.

This year’s festivities kick off Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Premiere Oaks 10 Theater with a bevy of nine short comedy films with an R-rated equivalency. The length of the films ranges anywhere between one and 37 minutes.

Next, at about 9:30 p.m., comes the horror portion of the festival. Fright Night Friday kicks off with a costume contest which will have prizes for the winners.

Following the contest, six short horror movies and the 94-minute world premiere of Last Call Before Sunset will be screened. The film features patrons and staff of a strip club doing battle with a group of vampires who chose their establishment to hide from the sun.

On Saturday between 1 and 3 p.m., residents will have the chance to meet members of the Last Call cast and crew, along with the director and production crew of Eye of the Dolphin. This new family drama will be screened both at the 7 pm VIP party and again at 9:30 p.m. that evening at the Henegar Center at 625 New Haven Ave.

Audience members will also have the opportunity to meet Michael Bailey Smith, who has a recurring role in NBC’s comedy My Name is Earl and was featured on the big screen in The Hills Have Eyes.

Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in the Oaks will also feature local talent from the state in the Florida matinee in adjacent theater 1. In addition to several movie shorts, five 90-second films from the Florida Today contest will be featured.

The winner of the contest will be featured that evening at the Henegar Center festivities along with the feature-length film the Eye of the Dolphin and a VIP after-party sponsored with catering from top local restaurants as well as entertainment by local musical group “Robin and Eddy.”

For ticket prices to the event contact the Premiere Oaks 10 Theater at (321) 953-3200 or the Henegar Center for the Performing Arts at (321) 723-8698.