Indie, global and feel-good fests

The film festivals are coming fast and furious.

Eli Roth, who stars with Brad Pitt in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds,” will be honored tonight with the inaugural Indie Film Visionary Award at the 5th annual HollyShorts Film Festival at the Directors Guild of America Theater. (Roth will also premiere his director’s cut of the 2002 horror flick “Cabin Fever” Friday at Laemmle’s Sunset 5.)

The HollyShorts opening night also features a celebration of cinematographer Darren Lew and the Hollywood premiere of “Kidnapping Caitlynn” with Jason Biggs. The festival, which continues through Aug. 9, will feature industry panels, Q&A; sessions and special receptions. www.hollyshorts.com.

Up in Malibu

Also tonight is the 10th annual Malibu International Film Festival, featuring independent films from the U.S., France, Canada, Britain, Denmark and Sweden. The festival, which runs through Saturday, takes place at the Malibu Cinemas and the Ocean Avenue Screening Room in Santa Monica. www.malibufilmfestival.com.

Uplifting

For audiences tired of sad, violent or adult-themed movies, there’s the 2009 Feel Good Film Festival. This three-day fest opens Friday at the Egyptian Theatre with the comedy “Rock Slyde,” written and directed by Chris Dowling and starring Patrick Warburton. The festival features 16 full-length films, 34 shorts, 10 student films and two Web projects. Other activities include screenplay and song competitions, a panel discussion and a tribute to Ed Asner. www.fgff.org.

Downtown

Last but not least, the 2009 Downtown Film Festival-Los Angeles kicks off Wednesday at the AT&T; Center Theater with the West Coast premiere of Spike Lee’s “Passing Strange: The Movie” and continues through Aug. 22. Among the features included in the festival: “Boppin’ at the Glue Factory,” “Commit,” “The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzie” and the documentary “A Sea of Change.” The festival will also honor veteran actor Seymour Cassel (“Faces,” “Rushmore”) with a lifetime achievement award and will host the L.A. premiere of his latest film, “Reach for Me.” www.dffla.com.

--

susan.king@latimes.com