This weekend the True/False Film Festival descends on Columbia, Missouri, where the weather is surprisingly cold but the amazing programming and strong support of the community is keeping us toasty warm in the early going. I arrived late but safe on Thursday night, despite a lightning-quick monsoon that had even our Mo-X Shuttle driver concerned. I stopped by the Little Ragtag for a quick drink and a hello with old friends and colleagues and pretty much called it a day.

Friday dawned bleak and frigid cold, with a looming threat of snow that never showed. The films didn’t begin until the evening, and though there were amazing panels all day (like Instant Soundtrack 2.0, with brilliant composers T. Griffin and Ionic Furjanic dueling over soundtrack and composition strategies, and The Frontline Club, a much buzzed about discussion on wartime photography with the filmmakers behind OCCUPATION: DREAMLAND and BLOOD TRAIL), I had to beg off in favor of meetings and catching up on some work.

Things picked up in the late afternoon, with a quick cocktail hour with filmmakers, programmers and distributors at Addison’s and the infamous March March — a cacophonous, Mardi Gras-inspired parade through downtown that truly kicks off the festival. Folks of all ages braved the temps for the event, many in costume, swirling filmstrip streamers and carrying signs as jazz bands and a drum corps kept us dancing down the street. (Pictures at the end of the weekend, I promise!) And then after Reality Bites, a delicious cocktail party and tasting sponsored by several local restaurants, I FINALLY got to my first film. WALTZ WITH BASHIR opened the evening at the Missouri Theater, the beautiful classic and flagship of the festival that was closed for repair for the last couple years. The theater is absolutely gorgeous, and the film opened to a packed house. I’ll save film reviews for the end of the weekend as well (when I’ve got a little distance) but I was surprised to see the reaction to this highly-praised Golden Globe-winner was incredibly mixed. Then it was off to another of True/False’s epic parties, dancing and chatting away wth filmmakers, industry and lovers of documentary until the wee hours. And this is only the first day?!

Saturday is set up to be a whirlwind, with no less than five films on tap. Be sure to check in for a recap — with more reviews, picks and stories — and a word I’m sure from Danielle, in the upcoming days!