Saturday film screening highlights include “Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet,” which explores the personal and professional life of Mississippi native Stella Stevens, one of Hollywood’s last starlets during its golden age and beyond.

This film is directed by Stella Stevens’ son Andrew Stevens and produced by Adam Biddle. Both will participate in a Q&A discussion following the film screening. Stevens’ other production credits include such films as “The Boondock Saints,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” and “3000 Miles to Graceland.” 

Also screening on Saturday is “Last to Leave,” the premier short film by writer/director/actor and Mississippi native Mary Elizabeth Ellis. She is known for her recurring role as “The Waitress” on FX’s long-running “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” 

Shot in late 2023, “Last to Leave” addresses the pandemic of loneliness post-covid, our primal need as humans for connection, and reckoning with the way we treat our home planet. Ellis, who is currently starring alongside Ted Danson in “Man on the Inside” on Netflix, will be answering questions about her film after the screening. 

This year’s festival theme, “Stories That Shape Us,” emphasizes the power of story throughout a collection of feature films, documentaries and short films. Mississippi’s influence on storytelling, from its iconic locations to the authentic voices of its residents, plays a prominent role in this year’s festival.