After a few years of being virtual, this popular event is back in person at Foellinger Auditorium on March 4th. It’s the 40th anniversary of the one-day festival which includes insect-related films as well as interactive exhibits. From the press release:
The Insect Fear Film Festival was created by Professor May Berenbaum, in 1984, to bring insect awareness and appreciation to the campus and community; surpassing even our most optimistic expectations, since that time 39 years of IFFF have brought more than 90 feature films, 80 animated shorts, and 39 t-shirts to more than 12,000 festival-goers. Since its beginnings in March 1984, IFFF has been free and open to the campus and community.
This year’s theme is Living Fossils — in other words, contemporary species that very closely resemble extinct fossil species.
There will be two feature length films, The Monster That Challenged the World and Joe’s Apartment, as well as episodes of the animated series Pike’s Lagoon. There will also be an insect petting zoo, crafts, insect artwork by K-12 students, and more. Exhibits and activities will open at 5:30 p.m., and the films will begin at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. You can find more information at the Entomology Student Graduate Association website.