Why should Cannes, Sundance and Venice have all the fun?

Welcome, then, the first annual Mystic Film Festival, taking place Thursday through Sunday and boasting a variety of independent feature-length and short-form films and documentaries from all over the world. Founded by the Manhattan-based, award-winning documentarian/filmmaker Shareen Anderson in a burst of inspiration after she bought a summer home in Mystic, the film festival aims to generate community-wide participation through — along with the films, of course — a variety of civic events, industry panels, workshops, a red carpet opening and a closing awards ceremony.

The fest kicks off this evening with a screening of Shira Levin's "Starfish," which includes a red carpet processional and cocktail party and a post-showing Q&A with Levin and some of the actors. Before it's all over, 10 more feature-length films and documentaries will be screened in addition to 10 documentary shorts and 35 short fiction pieces.

Films and events will take place in the Mystic Luxury Cinemas as well as the Mystic/Noank Library. For a complete schedule and price information, access mysticfilmfestival.com.

First Annual Mystic Film Festival, 5:30-11 p.m. p.m. Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 9:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat., 4-9 p.m. Sun. Mystic Luxury Cinemas, 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, and Mystic/Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic.