FilmColumbia, Mon., Sep. 27, announced it will return October 22 through 31, following a hiatus in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release, the 10-day festival in Chatham, will present both independent and international features and documentaries, plus post-screening Q&As with directors and special tributes, all presented by The Crandell Theatre. The slightly reduced number of films is intended to help accommodate added health and safety measures. Those procedures include proof of vaccination for all attendees and staff, required mask-wearing indoors at all times, reduced seating capacity at the Crandell and the use of only one primary venue for festival events. Additionally, the festival will implement an individual ticketing system. As a result, no festival passes will be offered. The annual pre-festival benefit reception has been cancelled, as well. The festival kicks off on Fri., Oct. 22, with Compartment No. 6, which shared the Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, as well as director Pedro Almodovar’s new feature, Parallel Mothers, starring Penelope Cruz. As always, FilmColumbia’s Saturday Night Sneak, an unannounced film that traditionally joins the list of Oscar contenders announced four months later, will screen at 8 p.m. on October 30. Festival information and tickets are available at crandalltheatre [dot] org [slash] filmcolumbia. The health and safety protocols for the 2021 festival are also available on the FIlmColumbia website.