By Maraithe Thomas, News correspondent

Boston plays host to myriad film festivals, ranging from the Boston Jewish Film Festival to the Boston Palestine Film Festival and the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Each is specific to a certain theme, as indicated by their respective titles, but the Boston Underground Film Festival (BUFF), which starts today, offers something a little bit different.
BUFF showcases an assortment of films that are looking for a home but often don’t fit the mold of other theme-specific festivals, said executive director Anna Feder. In its 11th year, the festival is described on its website as ‘a celebration of the bizarre and insane,’ ‘hazardous to your health,’ and ‘uncompromising, unflinching film and video.’
‘You’re not going to be able to see these films anywhere else on a big screen,’ Feder said. ‘Maybe on a bootleg DVD, but most don’t even get theatrical distribution.’
Some of this year’s top films at BUFF include horror films ‘Bad Biology’ and ‘Deadgirl’ as well as a documentary about the porn industry.
The films will play at the historic Brattle Theatre and Kendall Square Cinema, both in Cambridge, through next Thursday.
The festival had a bit of a rocky beginning, ranging some years from one venue to five, in length from two days to two weeks. Feder said they are trying to lay down some consistency this year and complete their development as a legitimate presence in the world of independent cinema.
Big changes to the festival this year include an extension from four days to eight. Also, adding the Kendall Square Cinema to its venue list allows repeat screenings of many films so more people have a chance to see each one, Feder said.
BUFF also produced a budget pass this year designed to bring in more college students, Feder said. For $25, the budget pass grants access to the entire week of films. There is also a general pass, which costs $75 and gives the bearer access to exclusive festival parties.
Ned Hinkle, creative director of the Brattle Theater and member of the BUFF jury, described the excitement that tends to accompany such a unique festival as this.
‘It’s usually a pretty busy festival but it’s not one of those festivals where every show sells out,’ he said. ‘There are some absurd, wonderfully bizarre movies that I hope people will come and see.’
And it’s not just films that the festival is all about. There are several live music performances this year, including a secret show at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline following a music video presentation.
‘It’s lots of party and performances and fanfare,’ Feder said.
Tonight, at the festival’s opening, there is a performance in Harvard Square that will feature three live bands, belly-dancing and juggling.
These types of festivals also present an opportunity for Northeastern students who are interested in film to witness a special aspect of the film industry, said modern languages professor and cinema studies co-director Inez Hedges.
‘Festivals like this make it possible for our students to come into direct contact with young as well as more experienced filmmakers, to ask questions and get a feel for the world of filmmaking,’ she said.
Hedges added that living and studying in Boston can be truly rewarding in many ways.
‘We are lucky to live in the great city of Boston with its many festivals and film screenings,’ she said. ‘I always encourage my students to take advantage of these riches.’
Middler Gabby Gabriel, who owns her own production company called GCG Media Group, said that she has experienced firsthand the value of attending Boston-area film festivals for a young independent filmmaker.
Gabriel, an English and cinema studies dual major, films events, movies, music videos and other film projects for her company and has participated in on-campus movie festivals.
‘ ‘It’s interesting to see what other people are working on and I usually get inspiration from there,’ said Gabriel of attending a film festival at the Museum of Fine Arts. ‘It was great for me because I believe in learning and what other people have found opportunities in and it keys me in to where I’m going to find my big opportunity.’