By George P. Hassett

Cannes. Sundance. Somerville?

That may be a stretch but the Independent Film Festival of Boston, based mostly in Davis Square despite the name, has quickly carved out a niche for itself as an important, if smaller, attraction for celluloid fanatics craving a good flick.

From the opening night party Wednesday at Orleans until its close six days later, the festival features 74 movies — 22 narrative features, 28 documentaries, and 24 shorts – plus numerous panels, discussions, and parties.

Two years ago the festival was the springboard for ‚ÄúMe and You and Everyone We Know‚Äù – an eccentric drama that went on to win four awards at the Cannes Film Festival weeks later and out earned the summer blockbusters on a per-screen basis. And last year, the festival brought Matt Dillon to The Somerville Theater for a screening of his ‚ÄúFactotum‚Äù based on the Charles Bukowski novel. 

This year’s fest brings to Somerville films on dedicated cops fighting vicious Vietnamese gangsters with martial arts moves (‚ÄúFlash Point‚Äù), a man who accidentally travels two hours back in time (‚ÄúTime Crimes‚Äù)  and a documentary on the influential, controversial hip hop group Public Enemy (‚ÄúPublic Enemy: Welcome to the Terrordome‚Äù).

Part film screening, part week-long block party, all of the festival’s discussion panels will take place in Davis Square. On Saturday, screenwriters and industry professionals extol the benefits of writing collaboratively at The Somerville Theater at noon. On the same day local film workers discuss the ins and outs of making a living in the Boston film industry at The Burren at 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday two more discussions take place at The Burren: companies on the cutting edge of film distribution discuss that side of the business and Greg Pak, writer of the hit comics The X-Men and World War Hulk, presents the process of turning comics to films and films to comics at 2:30 p.m.

Attendees of this year’s Independent Film Festival of Boston will be treated to a world class menu of original films. And they can take the 87, 88 and 89 buses to see them.