On May 13, the Black Maria Film Festival will return for the 34th year and the sixth held at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

The festival, shows at venues across the United States from February to November, mostly at universities. Its name comes from the first motion picture studio, located in West Orange, New Jersey, which was built by Thomas Edison in 1893. The Black Maria is famous for being the shooting location of the first-ever copywrighted motion picture: the brief yet captivating Fred Ott’s Sneeze — a five-second short of a man sneezing.

The festival began in 1981 and is considered to be one of the best short film festivals in the world. It’s mission? “Fueling the independent spirit.”

The internationally juried competition is dedicated to showcasing independent film and video makers, who share the same mission in creating cutting-edge cinematic works. This year’s selection of films will emphasize new and unusual techniques and the history of American avant-garde film in diverse styles such as documentary, animation experimental and narrative shorts. 

The Jury’s Choice first place film featured this year is Yakona by filmmakers Paul Collins & Anlo Sepulveda. Yakona, meaning “rising water,” leads you through a river on an impressionistic journey as the water’s point of view. Experience the relationship the body of water has with the natural world and with humankind. It is described as a film that “calls on humanity’s higher nature, inspiring its protection by revealing its beauty and life-giving spirit.”

See the many one-of-a-kind, award-winning films submitted in this year’s festival and enjoy free popcorn and soda brought to you by Cinema Pacific and the museum.

Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m., Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.