By RENE RODRIGUEZ

The buzz on the film festival circuit is that the dearth of independent filmmaking caused by the recession has made festival programming increasingly difficult. But at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the show will go on.

Between today and Nov. 8, the 24th edition of the venerable event will unspool more than 100 feature-length and short films from 30 countries. The festivities kick off tonight with Timer, a romantic comedy about the eternal quest for the perfect mate, and will close with the Israeli comedy A Matter of Size, about a group of overweight people that gives up counting calories and takes up sumo wrestling instead.

In between: nightly screenings, parties, award galas and opportunities to meet Matthew Broderick, Kevin McCarthy, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Jai White, Joyce DeWitt and Frank Vincent, among others

Here are reviews of some of this week’s films and a schedule of events. For more information, visit www.fliff.com.

HERE AND THERE

(unrated) * * ½

Robert (David Thornton), the central protagonist of Here and There, is a 53-year-old failed musician with only one album on his resume, and that one only sold 200 copies (he bought 10). He is a sad-sack New Yorker, evicted from his apartment and staying with a cranky friend (Cyndi Lauper, in a cameo) on the verge of kicking him out. Robert is desperate for cash and a jolt of ambition — for something to reanimate his inner muse.

That jolt arrives in the form of Branko (Branislav Trifunovic), a Serbian immigrant who offers Robert $5,000 to travel to Serbia and marry his girlfriend, so she’ll have a green card and be able to move legally to New York.

After some hesitation (“Isn’t there like a war going on in Serbia now?”), Robert reluctantly accepts the offer and sets off on his life-changing journey. First-time writer-director Darko Lungulov channels the spirit of Jim Jarmusch (right down to Robert’s eye-catching pompadour) as he alternates between Robert’s adventures abroad and Branko’s hustling in New York to come up with the cash to meet his end of the bargain.

Here and There has a droll sense of humor (“Welcome to Serbia, a country in transition!” the cab driver exclaims) that is a perfect match for Robert’s gradual awakening from his comatose state, leading to an unexpected connection with Branko’s mother (Mirjana Karanovic). The movie is slight and barely leaves a trace, but it weaves a peculiar spell as it unspools. Lungulov is a talent who bears watching.

Cast: David Thornton, Mirjana Karanovic, Branislav Trifunovic, Jelena Mrdja. Writer-director: Darko Lungulov. Producers: George Lekovic, Darko Lungulov, David Nemer. Running time: 80 minutes. In English and Serbo-Croatian with English subtitles. Vulgar language. Plays at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Cinema Paradiso.

HUNGRY YEARS

(unrated) * *

Ellen (Tah von Allmen) is a nutritionist who counsels her clients on how to savor the pleasures of eating without consuming food or calories (“Food meditations have been really working for me!”). Neil (Isaak James) is an inventor looking for investors to fund the creation of a landmine-disarming robot.

Dale (Michael J. Burg) is a powerful oil-company executive and amateur bodybuilder who likes ordering used panties and T-shirts on eBay. His wife Joyce (Karen Culp) is the author of a bestselling book arguing that autism is the next step in human development.

Practically every character in Hungry Years has some eccentric belief or crackpot scheme: Like Robert Altman’s little-seen Health, the film is a satire of fringe culture taken to extremes and what happens when true believers come in contact with the outside, more level-headed world that doesn’t necessarily share their passions.

Co-directed by James and his sister Eva, Hungry Years is an obviously low-budget labor of love, and some of the situations the movie establishes pay off with amusing consequences, such as the bizarre drama that unfolds after Ellen catches her calorie-counting boyfriend wolfing down a cheeseburger.

But too much of Hungry Years is made up of excessive close-ups, endless scenes of dialogue in dire need of editing and actors a little too aware that the camera is trained on them — all signs that this small, well-intentioned movie is not quite ready for prime time.

Cast: Tah von Allmen, Isaak James, Ashlie Atkinson, Michael J. Burg, Michael E. Knight, Karen Culp. Producers-directors: Eva and Isaak James. Screenwriter: Isaak James. Running time: 108 minutes. Vulgar language, nudity, adult themes. Plays at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Cinema Paradiso.

THIS WEEKEND’S SCHEDULE

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival: The 24th annual event showcases more than 100 features, documentaries and shorts from around the globe plus parties, seminars and films for kids. Filmmakers are featured at many of the events; Friday-Nov. 11. Opening night is at Miniaci Performing Arts Center, but most events are at Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, unless otherwise noted; $10, $8 seniors and students, $6 FLIFF members (unless otherwise noted) A $25 donation is suggested at some of the screenings and is tax deductible. See website (www.fliff.com) for details and to confirm schedule. 954-525-3456.

FRIDAY

Opening night is at Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd., Davie:

• Screenings of shorts and animated films Closed Zone, Expiration, The Wheel Goes Round, Pigeon: Impossible and I Do; 7 p.m., free with opening night film.

• FLIFF Star on the Horizon Award: Actress Michelle Monaghan receives award prior to screening; 7:30 p.m. • Kevin McCarthy — Lifetime Achievement AWARD: Actor receives award following screening of his short film I Do at 7:30 p.m., free with opening night film.

• Opening Night Film — Timer: 7:45 p.m., $6-$75.

SATURDAY

• FLIFF High School Film Competition: Showcases winning films, including documentary Blank Tape, narrative The Kid, feature Avoid Confrontation, music video Swan Song, animated films Don’t Text & Drive and Give the Dog a Bone and experimental film Eye Remember; 10 a.m., free.

• Official Rejection: Noon.

• Thank You for Washing: Short film; 2 p.m., free with ticket to Article 32.

• Article 32: 2 p.m.• Lover: 3:45 p.m., free with ticket to Tantric Tourists.

• Tantric Tourists: 3:45 p.m.

• Trucker: 6 p.m.

• Here and There: In English and Serbian with English subtitles; 7:45 p.m.

• Black Dynamite: Screening at 9:30 p.m. is followed by after-party with former Dolphin Louis Oliver at 11 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres at Bova Prime, 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-765-1131; $15, $10 FLIFF members.

• Mods vs. Rockers Rally: Quadrophenia-styled bikes and scooters participate. Starts with a poker run beginning at Varsity Cycle Shop at Northeast 26th Street and U.S. 1, moving through the beach to Hollywood and Dania with a lunch stop. Ends at Cinema Paradiso with a judged bike show. Includes music, food and drinks, Chinese raffle and prizes; 7:30 p.m., free.

SUNDAY

• Gargoyle: 11:45 a.m., free.

• Rain Rain: Short film; 11:45 a.m., free with ticket to Lessons from South Africa.

• Lessons from South Africa: With documentary’s writer Allan Richards; 11:45 a.m.

• Don McKay: With director Jake Goldberger; 1 p.m.

• Dear Lemon Lima: 2:45 p.m., $6 FLIFF members.

• Beyond the Pole: In English and Norwegian with English subtitles. With director David Louis Williams; 4:30 p.m.

• Hungry Years: With directors Isaak and Eva James and cast member Michael J. Burg; 6:15 p.m.

• Black Dynamite: Screening at 9:30 p.m. with after-party at 11 featuring former Miami Dolphin Louis Oliver and hors d’oeuvres at Bova Prime, 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-765-1131; $15, $10 FLIFF members.

MONDAY

• A Bridge Life-Finding Our Way Home: 6 p.m.

• An Englishman in New York: 7:30 p.m.

• The Pillars at New River Sound After-Party: 9:30 p.m., 1111 N. Birch Rd., Fort Lauderdale; free with ticket to An Englishman in New York. 954-467-9639.

TUESDAY

• Mount St. Elias: 6 p.m.

• Mediterranean Food: In Spanish with English subtitles. Includes dinner cooked on site by Carrabba’s Italian Grill at 6:30 p.m., followed by screening at 8, $20, $15 FLIFF members (includes dinner), $5-$9 (film only).

• Coyote Ugly After-Party: 9:45 p.m., 214 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; free with ticket to Mediterranean Food. 954-764-UGLY.

WEDNESDAY

• Romaine, 30 Below: In French with English subtitles; 5:45 p.m.

• Queen to Play: In French with English subtitles; 7:30 p.m.

• Smith & Jones After-Party: 9:15 p.m., 1313 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; free with ticket to Queen to Play. 954-888-8993.

THURSDAY

• At a Glance: In Italian with English subtitles; 6 p.m.

• Chicago Overcoat: 8 p.m.

• Paranormal Activity: Includes free T-shirt to first 150 guests; 9:45 p.m.

• W Fort Lauderdale After-Party: With director Brian Caunter, actor Frank Vincent and other cast and crew members of Chicago Overcoat plus hors d’oeuvres; 10 p.m., 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; free with ticket to the film. 954-414-8200.