2010 Washington DC Independent Film Festival

Need a break from all the Oscar hoopla? Give yourself a cinematic pause from the usual fare and head to the Washington DC Independent Film Festival. The 10-day celebration of independent film, which begins Thursday at 7 p.m., includes more than 100 films from more than 25 countries.

The opening night feature is "The Quantum Tamers: Revealing Our Weird and Wired Future," a documentary that takes a fun (and accessible, we swear!) approach to quantum teleportation experiments. The filmmaker and scientists will answer questions after the screening. Opening night also features a concert, an awards ceremony and a screening of "Roue," an animated short. U.S. Navy Memorial Heritage Center, Burke Theater, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (Metro: Archives). 202-333-6615. http://www.dciff.bside.com. $40 in advance, $50 at the door; $40 seniors and students.

-- Amy Orndorff