2014 Indy Film Fest: The Essentials

The 2014 Indy Film Fest opens Thursday, July 17, and runs through Saturday, July 26. In its 11th year, the IFF is bigger than ever, with once again more than 100 films showcased throughout its 10-day run.

Here's the full list of movies and showtimes and ticket information. You can find full reviews to many of these films here at The Film Yap. Of course, we always recommend buying an all-access pass, but if that stretches your budget, at least check out this handy guide and check out a few. Here are some of the essentials for the 2014 Indy Film Fest:

Opening Night: "I, Origins" At the Indianapolis Museum of Art & The Hall Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m.

"Origins" stars Michael Pitt (TV's "Boardwalk Empire") as a molecular biologist whose study of the eyes creates questions about love, life and spirituality. Steven Yeun of "The Walking Dead" co-stars, and this screening serves as Indy's de-facto premiere, as the film hits theaters July 18.

Awards Night/Screening of "Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter" Indianapolis Museum of Art Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

In "Kumiko," a Japanese woman (Rinko Kikuchi of "Pacific Rim") pursues the hidden money left by Carl Showalter in the movie "Fargo" based on the fallacy that the movie is based on a true story in this arthouse flick. Read Christopher Lloyd's review of the movie. In addition, the Indy Film Fest recognizes the best of the fest with its annual awards ceremony.

Closing Night Film: "Life After Beth" Indianapolis Museum of Art and City Market Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

When Beth (Aubrey Plaza of "Parks and Recreation") dies, she doesn't let that affect her relationship with her boyfriend Zach (Dane DeHaan of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"). She rises from the dead, and they continue their relationship in this quirky dark comedy. After the screening, the party moves to City Market and Tomlinson Tap Room, where everyone will raise a glass to the 2014 Indy Film Fest and to the promise that lies in next year's fest!

Be sure not to miss:

Bluebird: "Spare and bleak, “Bluebird” is about a life-changing event in a blue-collar community, and how it reverberates through various lives."— Christopher Lloyd

The Chaperone: "A fun, exciting experience ... a simple but not simply told tale that is a breath of fresh air" — Joe Shearer

American Arab: "... Explores post 9/11 Arab American identity, interspersing the personal stories of others with his own experiences" — Ben Johnson

You'll Be A Man: "A warm, engaging drama that deals with both coming-of-age and parenting issues ... one of the Indy Film Fest’s best." — Joe Shearer

Jingle Bell Rocks!: "... Doesn’t seek to rationalize or justify the writer/director’s obsession with Christmas music, rather it’s more like his Christmas gift to us" — Mo Hammond