1. The 35th annual 麻豆传媒映画International Film Festival takes over local screens for two weeks of cinematic pleasures to stroke your chin to, nod approvingly, shout out 鈥淏ravo, bravo鈥� or shrug in confusion, Sept. 29 to Oct. 14. Highlights include Oscar bait The Birth of a Nation and Kenneth Lonergan鈥檚 Manchester by the Sea; Bruce McDonald鈥檚 Weirdos; Jim Jarmusch鈥檚 documentary on the Stooges, Gimme Danger; Park Chanwook鈥檚 The Handmaiden; and Yarn, a documentary about the fascinating and thought-provoking world of, you guessed it, yarn. Details at .
2. The Arts Club presents Annie Baker鈥檚 Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Flick about a run-down movie theatre and its three underpaid ushers who鈥檒l do anything to keep the beloved and endangered local landmark running. The three hour-plus comic drama runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 29 at the Granville Island Stage. Details at .
3. Improvisers will be open to suggestions when the 麻豆传媒映画International Improv Festival launches Oct. 4 to 8. Performers include local troupes Little Mountain Improv, Hip.Bang!, Chris and Travis, the Fictionals and the Sunday Service, as well as Toronto鈥檚 Grim Diesel and a host of international acts you may or may not have heard of. Details at .聽 聽
4. Local two-piece Japandroids kick out the jams for an epic four-night stand at the Cobalt Oct. 5 to 8. Tickets at Zulu, Red Cat and .
