Both the Victoria Theatre's bulb-lined façade and the Roxie Theater's neon red lights will be shining bright this weekend, but they won't be attracting anyone hoping to see a dead rapper biopic or a comedy about mall security.

No, these 100-year-old theaters will be screening films starring flowers bickering to each other about freedom ("Descendents," 2009), a quasi-disabled punk rock band that goes crazy ("Ex Drummer," 2007) and people trying to rob George Lucas' house ("Fanboys," 2009), just to name a few.

And there actually is a connection.

The 11th annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival starts Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Mission District, and will screen more than 100 independent films over the next two weeks.

"I remember being a student -- every dollar has to be carefully thought about," founder Jeff Ross, 39, said. "But the films we show are unlike anything you'll see anywhere else."

The economy might have some students partying less these days, but this might be their only chance to see a documentary about the guy who covers himself in branches and jumps out to scare unsuspecting tourists in Fisherman's Wharf ("The Bush Man," 2008).

The annual film festival is showing both short and feature-length films from European, Asian, Middle Eastern and South American filmmakers. Many of the films depict characters in far away lands, forcing those illiterate in Arabic to read subtitles. "The Full Picture" was, however, filmed right here in San Francisco.

"If there's one film in the festival that fits, this is it," director and San Francisco resident John Bowden said. "It's the classic San Francisco film."

The film is about a relationship that gets rocky after the main character cheats on his girlfriend. Bowden thinks SF State students will understand and appreciate the film's "gritty" storyline, believing that many have been through similar situations.

"It's a relationship film and it will resonate well with SF State students," Bowden said.

He thinks the film would be a good night out -- even as a first date. That could be the plan for some attendees since the film is to screen at the Roxie Theater on Valentine's Day.

Regular admission to any of the films is $11 and will get the ticket stub-holder into any of the festival's parties around the city, free of charge. That means any moviegoer looking to mingle with fellow film buffs can get in to the Big Lebowski Party, the Roller Disco Party or the Rydell High Sock Hop after watching any of the 108 screenings.

The festival runs through Feb. 22 and is taking place at the Shattuck Cinema in Berkeley as well as the Roxie and Victoria on 16th Street in San Francisco.

Last year's SF Indies hosted 11,000 people, but founder Ross hopes this year's festival will attract even more.

"Since we don't have a huge marketing campaign like every big Hollywood movie gets, audiences really have to trust [us] and take chances with their time and money," Ross said of why poor SF State students should attend. "I like to think we don't disappoint."

Ross tried to make this year's festival especially "festive" by organizing the several official parties taking place after the credits roll. The festival director made sure to point out, however, that showing independent films is the real reason of the two-week long event.

"It's harder every year to put on [since] we don't really have big sponsors or deep pocketed-donors," Ross said. "But as long as San Franciscans want to check out new films, we'll be around."

The opening night party takes place Thursday, Feb. 5 at CELLspace (2050 Bryant St.) and will feature performances by Live Evil, Extra Action Marching Band and DJ Toph One. The event is $7 without a movie ticket stub (but free with) and is limited to people ages 21 and up. More info at www.sfindie.com.