Thursday marks the fourth Statesboro Film Festival I have helped organize. Each one, frankly, has been better than the previous ones and the 2012 edition, I promise, will be better, too.
    If you never have been to the Boro's own film festival, I urge you to come out Thursday to the Averitt Center in downtown. Here's what you'll get for $5:
    Watch the premiere of nine short films on the big screen inside the Emma Kelly Theater, plus a few film surprises that are always audience pleasing.
    A buffet during intermission catered by one of the best restaurants in Statesboro: Millhouse Steakhouse. Millhouse sets up in the middle of the Averitt Center's main gallery and brings a variety of their best appetizers and main courses. It's a delicious break in between watching films.
    After viewing the films, there's a quick awards shows, where we honor the best of the productions with statuettes provided by Gailey Trophy.
    And we end it with the announcement of the Viewers Choice Award, where the filmmaker whose work received the most online votes receives a big screen TV courtesy of Farmer's Furniture.
    We'll even throw in a few cookies, some peanuts and a soft drink if you arrive a little earlier than the 7 p.m. start of the festival.
    What I like best is being in the theater with the filmmakers as they watch their own film and the works of their fellow budding artists. There's an energy in the building that is contagious and wonderful to be a part of.
    And, of course, the food from Millhouse is great. Really great.
    In 2009, our first year, we had about 220 people attend, but the last two years we've had 150 or so come out. Help us get back above 200 this year. Come downtown and share in the fun. Trust me, you'll love the Statesboro Film Festival.