Cinema lovers can head to the Big Easy this weekend to celebrate the New Orleans Film Society’s 23rd New Orleans Film Festival.

The film marathon begins today and ends Thursday, Oct. 18.

Henry Griffin, vice president of the board of the New Orleans Film Society, said the festival began in 1989 with humble roots. Over time, the festival has expanded notably.

“We have grown from being a small, local festival to being a large festival, which is dedicated to showing, among other things, short films with about 200 short films this season,” Griffin said. “We strongly represent Louisiana filmmakers, and we also have a commitment to bringing in bigger movies on the major festival circuits.”

He said the festival will be screening several films at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. The society aspires to become a major American festival, while also remaining rooted to the Louisiana film community, according to Griffin.

Griffin said films being screened come from a variety of movie-makers, local or otherwise.

Zack Godshall, a University film professor, will have a short film featured in the festival, entitled “What Happens When Robert Leaves the Room.”

While not all the films are created by Louisiana residents, many are filmed in Louisiana, lending them local flair.

“A big change that has happened in the New Orleans Film Festival is that New Orleans has become, I believe, the second-largest film production area in the United States,” Griffin explained.

Griffin listed numerous movies that will be playing that were shot in Louisiana. One in particular he mentioned was “The Paperboy,” a Southern gothic thriller. “The Paperboy” was directed by Lee Daniels, director of “Precious,” and it stars Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughy and John Cusack.

Another film being debuted is David O. Russell’s, “The Fighter“ director, “Silver Linings Playbook” — a dramedy featuring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro.

Griffin said the festival will be showing documentaries along with full-feature movies and short films.

The New Orleans Film Festival boasts an array of flicks, but it also provides panels and workshops for budding film creators. Griffin said the New Orleans Film Society offers a workshop called Pitch Perfect. The workshop is geared toward students aspiring to become filmmakers. Pitch Perfect allows these students to practice pitching their ideas for films or documentaries to movie professionals.

Another interactive part of the film fest is its competitive division with entries in eight categories. The winners will receive either cash prizes or camera packages, Griffin said.

For location information or to purchase tickets, visit neworleansfilmsociety.org.