If you've never seen a gay film or TV show, but are curious to find out what they're about, then the Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is your opportunity to see some amazing movies and TV pilots not only local directors and writers, but also from filmmakers from around the world.

"We have films from not only North America, but from China, Southeast Asia, countries from all over Europe, as well as South America," said Jason Plourde, the program director for the festival. "This is probably the best year yet."

The festival is in its 12th year, and each year it gets bigger and better.

"There will be over 150 showings of movies from around the world, but we had to select from over twice that much," Plourde added. "We began screening films in April and have been able to select the best films while making it both impressive and diverse as possible."

The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will not only focus on films, but also on TV. There will be many showings of pilots from upcoming series about homosexuals. The pilot showing of Exes and Ohs will premier Oct. 13, at the Harvard Exit Theatre in Capitol Hill.

"It's sort of like Sex and the City, but with lesbians," Plourde hinted.

One standout film is The Walker, staring Woody Harrelson, Lily Tomlin, Willem Dafoe and Kristin Scott Thomas. Written by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), the film is a drama about a gay man (Harrelson) in Washington, D.C., who becomes involved in a murder case. The film premiers tomorrow at the Cinerama and is followed by an Opening Night Gala at the Naval Reserve Building.

Another film to look for is a French movie called Les Témoins (The Witnesses), a movie about a group of friends (gay and straight) during the '80s in Paris. This is a heartfelt drama that encompasses many aspects of what was going on at the time with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how people coped and dealt with it. The Witnesses premiers Oct. 15 at the Cinerama.

The closing film is also of interest. Itty Bitty Titty Committee, directed by Jamie Babbit (But I'm a Cheerleader) and staring Melonie Diaz and Nicole Vicius, is about a group of anti-boobjob lesbians who are trying to stop breast augmentations. Directed to the tune of local Olympia rock bands, this film is funny, witty and full of romantic surprises. Itty Bitty Titty Committee premiers Oct. 21 at the Cinerama.

The Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is also giving screenwriting workshops for aspiring writers and filmmakers. Starting at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Capitol Hill Branch of the Seattle Public Library, there will be a free writing workshop for anyone who's interested in filmmaking. You must register by Oct. 15. To register, send an email to workshop@seattlequeerfilm.org.

These are just a few of the numerous films and dozens of special events that will be available to view and attend tomorrow through Oct. 21. There are student prices as well. If you're 21 and under, tickets are only $6; some shows are free. Hard copies of the festival schedule are at Scarecrow Video on Roosevelt between 50th and 52nd street. Also, full printable schedules are also located at the Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival's Web site at http://2007.seattlequeerfilm.org.