Renton once again the star this weekend for Renton FilmFrenzy filmmakers

Lights, camera, frenzy.

The action is on for Renton FilmFrenzy III this weekend, as 21 teams compete in the 50-hour film competition for $1,700 in prizes and coveted “Curvee” awards.

Twelve open division teams signed up this year, with nine youth teams.

The film crews are expected to raise a few people’s eyebrows as they flood popular Renton spots Friday and Saturday.

“That’s part of the fun of it,” said Suzanne Dale Estey, Renton’s economic development director.

Each team has to include three “curve balls” – a line of dialogue, location and landmark – which are revealed at the start of the competition Friday at 5 p.m.

This year the “curve balls” are: Use DTR (for downtown Renton) in dialogue, shoot at Renton High School now celebrating its centennial, and incorporate a piece of Renton art, culture or history.

Unlike years past, Film Frenzy attracted competitors from throughout the region, Dale Estey said. “It’s demonstrating that this can be a destination competition.”

Each year the Renton Community Marketing Campaign, a mix of Renton groups and government organizations, organizes the event to promote Renton.

“The FilmFrenzy is all about highlighting the arts and culture in Renton today and also demonstrating it’s an interesting and diverse community for the culture of tomorrow,” Dale Estey said.

Voting will begin for the People’s Choice Award after the Curvee presentations and the Film Walk at RentonReporter.com.

A new screenwriting award will be presented by TheFilmSchool this year, and Reel Grrls plans to present the Woman Filmmaker Award.

The winning films and awards will be presented 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Ikea Performing Arts Center at Renton High School.

All of the entered films will then be screened during the Film Walk 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 27-28 at businesses throughout downtown Renton.