The fifth annual Durango Independent Film Festival promises to be a big lure for locals and tourists alike. The theme of the festival is “Get Reel” and features a fly-fishing rod and reel.

“We loved the metaphor that this creative capitalized on,” said Joanie Fraughton, the festival’s executive director. “The lure of film, so to speak, is what our festival is all about ... but our purpose is also to lure people to come to Durango and enjoy the festival and all that this area has to offer.”

Films will play at the Gaslight and Abbey theaters downtown, but the festival is about much more than cinema. There will also be panels, workshops and parties, kicking off with “Welcome the Filmmakers” party at 3:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Palace Restaurant. This and many of the festival events and parties are open to the public. Festival goers can “Meet the Filmmakers” at 5 p.m. on March 5 at Moe’s Starlight Lounge. And Jean-Pierre Bakery will host two panels on March 6 – “The Impact of Documentary on Films” at 11 a.m. and “Avatar and the use of 3-D in Narrative Film” at 2 p.m.

Film festival packages and Six-Punch Passes are on sale now through the end of February.

– Willie Krischke