The seventh annual edition of Tacoma-Pierce County Sister Cities International Film & Food Festival kicks off next Thursday at the Blue Mouse Theatre, 2611 N. Proctor St. Nine films from countries where Tacoma sister cities are located will be shown on consecutive Thursdays through April 2.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and ethnic food from the countries will be served before the show.

Tickets are available at the Blue Mouse box office and at the Pacific Northwest Shop, 2702 N. Proctor St.

For information, call: 253-752-9500.

The films in the festival are:

“Maboroshi” Feb. 5 (In honor of Kitakyushu, Japan)
A young mother tries to cope with life after her husband commits suicide in this 1995 Japanese drama.

“Catch A Fire” Feb. 12 (In honor of George, South Africa)
Derek Luke stars as a young black South African accused of terrorism during the apartheid era, and Tim Robbins plays the ruthless white police colonel who interrogates him.

“Ushpizin” Feb. 19 (In honor of Kiryat-Motzkin, Israel)
An Orthodox Jewish couple face a time of trial in Jerusalem.

“Summer's Tail” Feb. 26 (In honor of Taichung, Taiwan)
Four high-school kids laze about during an idyllic summer until a tragedy interrupts their fun.

“King And The Clown” March 5 (In honor of Gunsan, South Korea)
In 16th-century Korea the relationship between a king and a street performer clown leads to tragedy in a period drama that was a huge hit in its native country when it was released in 2005.

“Up To A Certain Point” March 12 (In honor of Cienfuegos, Cuba)
A married filmmaker falls in love with a female dockworker in a social satire from Cuba.

“Just Like Before” March 19 (In honor of Davao, The Philippines)
A popular Filipino rock band is the subject of this 2006 drama.

“Baseball Boys” March 26 (In honor of Fuzhou, China)
An award-winning children’s film from China.

“Bothersome Man” April 2 (In honor of Aalesund, Norway)
A man with amnesia finds himself living a life that is unfamiliar to him in this surreal Norwegian mystery movie.