Film festivals are a big thing these days. Cannes and Sundance have been joined by the LA Film Festival, the Austin Film Festival and others. There’s even such a thing as a film festival circuit now.

And why not? Film festivals are great entertainment. And they give budding, independent filmmakers a chance to learn their craft, gain some recognition and maybe win a prize.

That’s why I was excited to hear about the Black Hills Film Festival, set for May 14 to 16, 2010, in and around Hill City. It’s a good place – Hill City is already pretty artsy. And it’s a good time – tourist season hasn’t quite started yet.

“ Filmmakers from across the country and the world will feature their films in the festival which will be screened at multiple sites throughout the central Black Hills,” organizers said in a press release. “Audiences to the three-day event will see documentary and feature films of all lengths and types. These are films they would not typically see in theatre multiplexes, but which are juried in to the festival for their high-quality and interest to audiences.”

The film festival will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of “North by Northwest,” the Alfred Hitchcock classic that was filmed partly at nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Other events will include educational workshops, seminars and panel discussions at Crazy Horse Memorial, a student film festival, an awards event, networking opportunities and “special appearances by renowned guests (to be announced).”

That last item caught my eye, so I contacted Chris VanNess, one of the festival organizers. But Chris didn’t name any names.

“We have invited several renowned guests, and so far we have a verbal (confirmation) on one,” Chris said. “We can’t say for sure until we get written confirmation.”

Hmmm. … Kevin Costner attended the South Dakota Film Festival in Aberdeen this year. Could it be him? Or maybe Eva Marie Saint? She starred in “North by Northwest.” She turns 86 this year, and remains in good health.

My money’s on Eva.

For more information about the Black Hills Film Festival, visit the website at http://www.blackhillsfilmfestival.org/