When the Shoals community is not jamming to jazzy tunes at the W.C. Handy Festival, they are harnessing their inner cinephile during the George S. Lindsey Festival.

Entering its 21st year, the festival, getting its name from the actor who started it, continues to offer attendees free screenings to independent films from Alabama and beyond.

“Now more than ever, independent filmmakers are starved for exposure,” said Festival Co-Chair Michael Johnson. “There’s so much great work out there, and it deserves to be seen on the big screen.”

Besides the films competing in various categories, the festival will also screen 42 films shot in Alabama. The winner will receive the Clyde “Sappo” Black Sweet Home Alabama Award, named after one of Lindsey’s childhood friends.

One of the festival’s defining features is allowing attendees to ask questions and discuss the films with filmmakers.

“Our audiences love the ability to interact with filmmakers, who are always eager to talk about their work,” said Festival Director Cynthia Burkhead.

She said the festival continues to be successful by providing southern hospitality to visitors with its “free and open to the public” policy.

“It is this human touch that has allowed the festival to endure at a time when many festivals are going out of business,” she said.

This year’s special guests include actor Arron Shiver (“Boardwalk Empire,” “The Men Who Stare at Goats”) and special effects coordinator Joe Pancake (“Spider-Man,” “Transformers: The Last Knight”).

Shiver will participate in the “Actors who Direct/Directors who Act” panel March 2 at 10 a.m. in Room 131 of the Communications building. His film “Cortez,” which is a finalist in the festival for best professional narrative feature, will screen at 11 a.m. in the Mane Room.

Pancake, who is Lindsey’s son-in-law, will host an SFX workshop on the creation of pyrotechnic and explosive effects in television and film March 3 at 11 a.m. in Room 124 of the Communications building.

Freshman Kiya Anderson said having special guests at the festival provides opportunities for students interested in entering the film industry.

“It gives us opportunities to see where we could possibly be (in the future),” she said. “It’s saying, ‘Hey, you don’t have to just reach here. You can reach for the stars (and) right here’s a start.’”

Johnson said he is thankful to Lindsey for making the festival a reality.

“‘Radical’ probably isn’t a word George would have used to describe himself, but it’s a radical act to start a film festival,” he said. “To give back to your community when you’ve already made it in the industry, it’s really a gift.”

Films will continue to screen until March 3. The festival’s awards show will take place March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mane Room.

To view the schedule of film screenings and events for this year’s festival, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.