The second annual Los Gatos film festival—formerly called Reel Demonstrations—will be held on March 25. The CineCats Film Showcase, hosted by the CineCats, is expected to draw audiences from all over the Bay Area.

"Audience members will be in for a treat," says Joanne Talesfore, a CineCats member. "There's a bit of everything for everyone, from drama to documentary-type pieces. It'll be an entertaining two hours."

This year, 40 samples were submitted, but only 15 will be shown on the screens at the Los Gatos Cinema at 41 N. Santa Cruz Ave. The number of samples submitted is proof that interest in the film industry among town residents, especially young adults, has increased. According to committee members, only 28 tapes were turned in last year. Mike Pierce and two other judges spent countless hours watching and judging each piece.

"Each piece was scored individually and awarded points based on its own merits," Pierce says.

After going through the first judging round, selected tapes—with scores ranging from 14 to 23 out of a possible 25—were passed along to the program committee for the final cut.

Jim Creighton, one of the program committee members, says that although there was some difficulty deciding whether to accept pieces that were on the borderline, the real challenge was deciding how to sequence those that were accepted in a way that would make sense.

New this year will be a montage of films that were not selected but displayed exceptional special effects.

"This is to further encourage filmmakers and to give them as much exposure as possible," Pierce says.

And the winners are ... ? To top off the affair, hosts of the event will announce two winners who have been preselected in the outstanding film category at the end of the festival. A third winner will also be recognized, but details will not be unveiled until the actual event.

And, of course, a festival wouldn't be a festival without food and drinks. The CineCats invites the public to a wrap-up party at Borders at 50 University Ave. Refreshments are courtesy of California Café, The Wine Cellar, Sweet Pea, Willow Street Pizza and other restaurants.

The Los Gatos CineCats Film Showcase starts at 3 p.m., but doors will open at 2:30 p.m. Seats fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.