The Ann Arbor Film Festival - which showcases experimental, independent films from all over the world - is offering two free events this week.

Tonight at 7 p.m., a screening salon at the downtown library, at 343 S. Fifth Ave., will offer attendees the chance to review and rate short films for potential inclusion in the upcoming festival, happening March 23-28, 2010 at the Michigan Theater. (The fest received more than 2,500 submissions this year.) AAFF executive director Donald Harrison will moderate discussions about the films and provide an overview of the Fest, which is among the oldest in the country. For more information about this event, call 734-327-4555.

On Thursday at 7 p.m. at the University of Michigan Museum of Art's Helmut Stern Auditorium, Fest reps will present an educational screening and discussion titled, "What the Hell was That?" Four challenging, short experimental films from the Fest's archives will be shown, followed by a discussion with the audience.

For more info on these events, visit the AAFF site.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.