Atlanta: "L!fe Happens" (**1/2)

Krysten Ritter and Kate Bosworth star in "L!fe Happens"

When the 36th Atlanta Film Festival kicked off March 23rd, the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema was a madhouse. Aside from the throng of film-fans there for the festival, "The Hunger Games" brought plenty of people to the theater as well. Standing in the crowded lobby for ages, watching the red carpet, hearing people talk about the films they were most looking forward to; Atlanta's titular film festival had a fantastic opening night.

The film chosen to jumpstart this year's festivities was "L!fe Happens" from director Kat Coiro. She co-wrote the film with Krysten Ritter, a familiar face from television. Ritter stars alongside a sprawling ensemble of Kate Bosworth, Rachel Bilson, Geoff Stults, Justin Kirk, Kristen Johnston, Fallon Goodson and Jason Biggs.

Wrapping up the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival and looking ahead

Seeing and speaking with actress Nicole Beharie was a highlight of the festival

The 36th Atlanta Film Festival came to a close Sunday and I can proudly say that of the six years I've attended, this was the best fest yet. The films were strong and diverse. The venues, especially the new Atlanta Gem Series locations, were fun and accommodating. The staff was warm and helpful. The stars were bright and plenty. Sure, there were delays, technical problems, long waits, etc. If you find a festival without any of those, please let me know, so I can avoid what is undoubtedly a boring and lifeless event.

The Atlanta Film Festival is full of life. Thanks to a new Executive Director, Chris Escobar, and longtime festival veteran, Charles Judson, now the Festival Director and Head of Programming; the festival has made great leaps in organization, cohesion and over-all cool factor. For years, the event felt like a film festival that was in Atlanta, now it feels, as it should, like Atlanta's film festival. With new partnerships with Georgia State University, the Plaza Theatre and Atlanta Magazine, the festival's future looks aglow.

What to see at the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival

The Atlanta Film Festival starts in just four days! Kicking off Friday, March 23 with opening night film "L!fe Happens," this years festival will be the 36th (can you believe it?) and promises to be the best yet. While I love all of Georgia's festivals, the Atlanta Film Festival has the biggest piece of my heart. I've attended and supported this festival for over half a decade now and I've found that there is an energy present at the ATLFF that can't be found elsewhere.

I am so excited about this year's lineup. Whether it be upcoming commercial releases like "L!fe Happens" and "The Cabin in the Woods," new indie festival slow-burners like "Welcome to Pine Hill," "V/H/S" and "My Last Day Without You," foreign imports "Boy," "Monsieur Lazhar" and "Generation P" or special screenings such as recent French cult hit "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies;" there is something for everyone.

Check out the films that caught our eye (listed in order of screen date) after the jump!