More than 60 films will screen at second Simi Film Fest that kicks off Thursday

The second Simi Film Fest will present 61 independent movies this week at the Studio Movie Grill, 1555 Simi Town Center Way.

The festival will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday with a red carpet event and opening ceremony. It’ll continue from 11 a.m. through the evening Friday through Sunday with screenings of locally produced films and movies created in nations such as China, Japan and Belgium.

There will also be panels discussing movie industry topics. Panelists include Sean McNamara, who directed the recently released “Reagan” biopic starring Dennis Quaid as President Ronald Reagan.

Additionally, festival participants will get to go to Simi Valley filming locations such as Corriganville Park , a historic movie ranch where many Westerns were filmed.

Local filmmakers’ movies at the festival include:

• “Why Dinosaurs?” a documentary by Simi Valley filmmakers Tony Pinto and James Pinto. Tony Pinto is the father of James Pinto, who became one of the youngest docents and fossil preparers at La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, according to whydinosaurs.com .
• “The Serenade Charade,” a thriller directed by Diane Nierenberg and produced by Ryan Willer.
• Several shorts by Ventura County filmmakers.

The festival will conclude at 8 p.m. Sunday with an awards presentation.

Here's how to buy tickets

Tickets vary from $10 for the opening party to $30 or $40 for day passes and $115 for a four-day pass. To purchase, go to simiff.com/tickets .

For more information, contact festival founders Joseph Metcalfe and Katie Garibaldi at director@simiff.com.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: More than 60 films will screen at second Simi Film Fest that kicks off Thursday