Filmmakers from around the region, the country and the world are coming to the Kitsap Peninsula May 5-7 for the inaugural Port Orchard Film Festival and we’re saving you a front-row seat for all the indie cinema fun.

Nostalgia buffs will love meeting actress Alison Arngrim, best known for playing mean girl Nellie Oleson on the beloved television series, “Little House on the Prairie.” She’s all grown up now and performs a one-woman show, based on her book “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.” She’ll also be opening the Log Cabin Museum for the season and signing books and taking pictures with fans at the Sidney Art Gallery and Museum.

The other festival headliner is filmmaker Steve De Jarnatt, who will screen his 1988 apocalyptic thriller, “Miracle Mile,” starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham. The director will also show “Tarzana,” a short film he calls a “love letter to the film noir genre.” A Q&A will follow.

Festival organizers Amy Camp and Dragonfly Cinema owner Nick Taylor said the line-up offers something for everyone. All of the movies will be screened at the historic Bay Street theater.

“I’m excited about how many filmmakers are coming from all over the country,” said Camp. “We’ve got about 80 filmmakers coming from places like Virginia, California, New York and Texas, all with different viewpoints.”

Day and weekend passes are available in advance and at the theater, as are tickets for Arngrim’s show. Film buffs can also purchase tickets at the door for individual blocks of films organized by genre. Prices range from $8 for a single film block to $40 for a three-day pass and a t-shirt. More about tickets here.

It wouldn’t be a festival without a rocking after-party. Brick House – 714 Bar & Grill delivers both nights with a musical line-up of regional favorites – Wack Reality, BooBooLaLa, PowerLaces, and Bryson Foster and the Denizens of Hope, with Torbjorn as events DJ.

Much of the Bay Street business district is joining in the fun. Comfort Inn on the Bay is offering a lodging special for festivalgoers and many restaurants are offering discounts and specials, including Coffee Oasis, Amy’s on the Bay and The Dock Bar & Eatery. Bay Street Bistro is hosting the opening party for filmmakers and 3-day pass holders.

The Dragonfly Cinema was originally built in 1914 and has two theaters that seat a total of 175 people. Insider tip: Try the popcorn. Dragonfly regulars rave about the creative lineup of toppings, including hot butter and chocolate chips, and everything bagel, which includes sesame seeds, onion, garlic and sea salt.

Taylor said the festival is shining a spotlight on Port Orchard, and he thinks visitors will like what they see. “We’re going to show people how awesome our little town is.”

Address: Dragonfly Cinema, 822 Bay St., Port Orchard

Hours: Screening blocks begin at 6 and 6:30 p.m. May 5, 11:30 a.m. and noon May 6 and 11 a.m. and noon May 7. Click here for the schedule.

Information: Find film trailers and more on the festival’s Facebook page.

For more to do in Port Orchard, read our blog post and go to VisitKitsap.com to plan your weekend getaway.