Somerville filmmaker Chico Colvard's "Family Affair" is part of the Independent Film Festival lineup this week in Davis Square. ~Photo courtesy of Chico Colvard and C-Line Films. Somerville director's film featured By George P. Hassett When the Independent Film Festival of Boston opens in Davis Square on Wednesday, filmmaker Chico Colvard won't have to go far to see his movie premiere. Colvard, who lives in West Somerville, will take a short walk to see "Family Affair" at the Somerville Theater on Saturday but the screening is part of a long journey it took to make the film.

The documentary examines the relationship between Colvard's sisters and their father, who sexually assaulted the girls for years before an accidental shooting led one of the girls to reveal the abuse.

In what Colvard calls "a stroke of irony" his sisters have maintained a relationship with their father and turned to him, the offender, to participate in their recovery.

"This film was about trying to answer that question, why would my sisters accept a man who committed such a terrible act of betrayal?" Colvard said.

The Boston Globe called the movie, "nearly perfect" and the Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, made "Family Affair" its first acquisition to air on the new cable channel.

Since its inception in 2003, the Independent Film Festival of Boston has gained a reputation as an important attraction for under the radar films with potential.

In 2006, the festival was the springboard for "Me and You and Everyone We Know" – 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.

From the opening night party on Wednesday at Orleans to panel discussions on how to make a low budget film in Massachusetts, the festival is part film screening, part block party. Included in the week's activities, with most of the action taking place in Davis Square, are 29 feature films, 39 documentaries, 30 short films and three panel discussions.

And the movies have been good for Somerville, said Stephen Mackey, president of the city's Chamber of Commerce. He said the festival has a "multiplier effect" for nearby businesses in the square.

"People come to Davis Square for the festival but end up going to other restaurants, establishments and venues," Mackey said. "It's a great stimulus for Davis Square."

"Family Affair" has made the rounds on the festival circuit, including a screening in Sundance, but Colvard said he is particularly excited about the film being shown in his neighborhood.

"To be able to show my film in a theater I walk by everyday is different," he said. "It's special."