It's time for aspiring filmmakers -- and those who support them -- to head out again to the Tower Theatre. And I'll be joining you all. ---

The Salt Lake Film Society launches another year of quarterly Open Screen Nights this Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Tower Theatre at 9 p.m. Those who have been working over the summer on new short-film projects -- or those who have just had a project kicking around for a while -- are invited to submit their 10-minutes-or-less works between 6 to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, with a $5 submission fee; if too many are submitted to fit the program, films will be selected by random lottery.

Even if you're just a buff rather than an auteur, you can join the fun at the 9 p.m. screening; admission is free, and the audience gets to select one of the prize winners. The Salt Lake Film Society staff will also pick a winner, as will the guest critic judge -- who, on this particular night, will be yours truly. All three winners -- or fewer, if there's overlap in the judgment -- will be announced on Thursday, Sept. 23, and invited to a "Best of Open Screen" event at a later date. For the last few years, the annual winner has also been invited to the Utah Arts Festival's Fear No Film "Utah Short Film of the Year" competition.

But you could win just by attending. Be the first to mention to me that you read this blog, and you'll get a free mystery Blu-Ray DVD. I'll be the one in the back of the theater, trying to look inconspicuous until introduced.