Film people

It’s that time of year again, when actors, directors, producers and the curious descend on the Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center for the SoCal Independent Film Festival.

A first-timer at the event will be Swati Kapila; the festival is serving as the world premiere of her short film, “The Undertaker.”

“I’m really nervous as to how the audience will take it, but I’m just looking forward to meeting people from different places,” Kapila said.

The festival began in 2005. More than 100 films will be screened at this year’s event, which runs through Sunday.

Today’s screening lineup will include a special presentation of Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” and a roundtable discussion on the director’s impact on indie filmmaking.

Friday’s lineup also includes an “off-the-beaten-path” and animation program.

Following more films Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Saturday filmmaking seminar, an award ceremony and reception will crown the weekend.

Swati’s film will be screened after 3 p.m. Sunday, before the awards ceremony.

She graduated from film school at New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in 2007.

Kapila’s other short film, “Sweet Jesus,” took best picture, best director and audience pick at the 2008 Columbia University National Undergraduate Film Festival.

Kapila spent one summer in California before, but is still excited to come back for both the weather and the networking opportunities.

Her film is an offbeat comedy about “an overeager kid whose dream job is to become a funeral director, no matter what his family and friends think,” Kapila said.

Filmed in 16 mm, the film is 15 minutes long, and it was Kapila’s senior thesis at New York University.

“People always say it’s a weird concept, but I kind of find it to be pretty autobiographical, because it’s about a person who wants to pursue something off the beaten track.”

Kapila is of South Asian descent and grew up in South Florida.

“My parents both had traditional jobs,” she said.

“They were both doctors, and the rest of my family was all in business, law and medicine. I’m definitely the oddball.”

Kapila’s passion for film started at a young age.

“Many young people get their start through acting,” she said. “I went to an art school in Florida for acting, and I just thought film people were so cool.”

She now supports her burgeoning directing career with acting gigs in New York, and still has the same drive to create and direct films.

“For me, even the non-glamorous stuff is glamorous,” she said. “It’s all about leadership and dealing with people, and your communication skills.”

She said she hasn’t experienced much difficulty as a female director, although people have told her they see her in more of a producer role.

“You have to find a crew of people that trusts you, and once you earn that trust, it’s very rewarding,” she said.

“I find that films by women tend to have a lot more sensitivity and character study.”

She currently has two feature-length scripts in the works, including a full-length version of “The Undertaker,” and joined the Screen Actors’ Guild last week.

“I just got out of school a couple years ago, so it’s hard to expect to direct immediately,” she said.

“I was just glad to have the chance to make two short films in school.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: SoCal Independent Film Festival

WHERE: Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center, 7111 Talbert Ave.

WHEN: Through Sunday

HOW MUCH: Tickets are up to $6; an all-access pass is $30

INFORMATION: (800) 714-5976 or socalfilmfest.com

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.