Trying to get Bruce Fletcher to pick five films is like - what's the cliche? - herding cats. He starts talking about one film and suddenly the flood gates open - and in one stream of thoughtful film-speak, nearly all 32 films at this year's Idaho International Film Festival are in the conversation.

"Picking just a few films is like choosing between children," Fletcher said from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has founded his own film festival: Dead Channels Festival, Oct. 2-10.

So, instead of a fast five, this is a five-by-five, highlighting some not-to-miss selections at this year's festival.

NO. 1: LOCAL FILMS

Every year Fletcher works to present Idaho films. Supporting the local indie film scene is one of the missions of the festival. This year, from features to shorts, there are a record number of Idaho-made films to see.

"The Sanguinarian" is a stylish retooling of the vampire myth from Boise director Analisa Ravella. And this festival will host the film's world premiere.

"It's an epic production with style to burn," Fletcher said. "It looks like a goth video, a real retelling of the vampire story with a 21st century sensibility."

See it: 9:15 p.m. Thursday, Egyptian; and 4:30 p.m. Friday, Edwards 9 Downtown.

Boise's Cecilia J. Rinn's "Belly" documentary about belly dancing is really about so much more, Fletcher said.

"It's about reclaiming your body after injury and illness, and overcoming things in their lives, tied to the ancient art of belly dancing," he said.

See it: 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian.

Boise filmmaker Chad Rinn took the short films he's been working on and wove them together with new materials for "Work in Sanity," the tale of Allen, who works as a telemarketer while he draws and writes stories about his disgruntled co-workers, and about the endless rejection.

See it: 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian; and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, The Flicks.

Other local picks:

"Local Heroes: Made in Idaho Shorts Films," a selection of 10 local shorts. See it: 7 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian.

"Pappy Boyington Field," a documentary by Kevin Gonzalez, a grass-roots effort to honor a WWII hero in Coeur d'Alene, the town of his birth. See it: 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Egyptian.

Michael Gough's "America's Core: Legends Never Die," a documentary about Gough's passion for the Troupers Drum and Bugle Corps. See it: 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Egyptian.

NO. 2: GLOBAL FILM INITIATIVE

This year, the festival puts an emphasis on the international part of its name by bringing the Global Film Initiative to Boise. Founded in 2002, its goal is to bring edgy, beautifully shot, written and acted foreign films to festivals around the world.

"These are films hand-picked by some of the best programmers in the world," Fletcher said. "This is a great selection, and if you appreciate global cinema, here is your chance."

These are the kind of films that don't get seen in theaters much anymore; many don't even get a chance on DVD, but they're all excellent.

There are 10 films from Iran, China, Bosnia, Croatia, South Africa, Philippines, Argentina, Lebanon, China and Indonesia.

For a complete schedule, pick up Scene magazine from Friday, Sept. 19, or go to IdahoStatesman.com.

NO. 3: BLOOD AND MORE BLOOD

It is no secret that Fletcher loves the midnight horror flick, perhaps a little too much. This time, he's found a doozy in "Tokyo Gore Police," a sci-fi gore-a-rama in which blood doesn't just spray, it spews. "You'll never see anything like it on an Idaho film screen," Fletcher said.

See it: 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian, with film short "Far Out."

NO. 4: OPENING AND CLOSING

The opener, "Route 30," ties together three stories that happen along a long stretch of highway that runs through south-central Pennsylvania, where director John Putch grew up. At the core is the story of "Original Bill," in which a writer (David DeLuise) buys a farm where he plans to write a novel, but his beer-swilling Amish neighbor (Dana Delany) keeps distracting him until he helps her realize her dream of seeing a play in a theater.

See it: 8 p.m. Thursday, Egyptian.

On closing night is the quintessential indie film "Humbolt County." "It's a great film that made me cry," Fletcher said.

See it: 7 p.m. Sunday, Egyptian; closing party is at 8 p.m. at Red Feather Lounge, 246 N. 8th St., Boise.

NO. 5: POP-MUSICHIT MAKERS

"The Wrecking Crew" is a documentary that exposes how great rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s got made - especially considering that many of the musical stars couldn't play their instruments. That's when the producer would call in the Wrecking Crew, the group of musicians who were behind artists such as the Beach Boys, The Monkees, Sonny and Cher, the Jackson 5 and Frank Sinatra. It is pop history and a must-see for anyone who has ever picked up an instrument or has lived off pop radio. Directed by Denny Tedesco.

See it: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Egyptian.

Dana Oland: 377-6442