One of my favorite programs at RiverRun International Film Festival is always the North Carolina Shorts — and not just because the works of some of my students is represented.

I love the opportunity to see these short films and the fact that the festival showcases work of North Carolina Filmmakers. The film I’m most looking forward to seeing this year is Nicole Triche’s “Taxidermists,” which also played at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival last weekend.

If you missed your opportunity to see the North Carolina Shorts programs today, check them out on Friday, April 19th at the Handsbrands Theatre.

One other event of note that day is the second annual Pitchfest (10 a.m. also in Handsbrands Theatre), which is free and open to the public. Film students from several area schools with pitch their documentary films ideas before a panel of judges.

Last year’s Pitchfest winner, “Wagonmasters,” is one of the films featured this year in the North Carolina Shorts 1 program.