Arnold Film Festival

While hanging out at the NBC4 Daytime Columbus show today, we found out about the Arnold Sports Film Festival that opens today and runs through Sunday. You probably already know about the sports part of the festival, but this year for the first time, there's a film component to "The Arnold" (as everyone has taken to calling this Central Ohio tradition, now in its 23rd year).

Short films, 15 minutes or less in length and centered on sports themes, have been created by professionals and high-school students, selected for screening at the festival, and a jury will choose the award winners. Workshops about film-making will take place all weekend, as will screenings of the candidate films at the Arena Grand Movie Theatre, located at 175 Nationwide Blvd., just a hop, skip and a leg press away from the rest of the Festival events taking place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center at 400 N. High St.

Admission to the film screenings is free with an Arnold Sports Festival wristband. If you are attending the Arnold Festival at the Convention Center, your arm band will gain you access to the film festival for no additional charge. Admission is only granted for that day's events. For example, if you attend the Festival on Friday only, you may see the film festival entries on Friday only.

Tickets for the Film Festival ONLY are $15.00 and will go on sale at the Arena Grand box office one hour prior to scheduled show times. Seats for all showings are limited to a first come, first seated basis. The schedule is as follows:

• Friday March 4 • 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Film Screenings • 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: High School Film Screenings
• Saturday March 5 • 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Film Screenings • 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: International Film Screenings
• Sunday March 6 • 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Presentation of Films and Awards Ceremony The film festival promises to be a great addition to The Arnold, so check it out!