Here's where the Cinefest parties are

Why do celebs hit up film festivals like Sundance and Toronto? Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian aren't there for the obscure art films. It's all about the parties, where cinephiles, industry insiders and those among us who live for a good drink special can mix and mingle. Cinefest is upping its party game this year with a full schedule of film-related festivities.

Freeloaders beware: Entry to most parties (except otherwise noted) is free but attendees will be asked to show a ticket stub or fest program at the door.

The first party kicks off at 9:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Independence Visitor Center (1 N. Independence Mall West), following screenings of the two opening-night films, "Catechism Cataclysm" and "Exporting Raymond." A DJ provides the soundtrack and several sponsors provide the booze. Tickets aren't available at the door, so snatch them up at www.phillycinefest.org.

The party moves outdoors on Saturday at the Dock Street Fair outside the Ritz Five (214 Walnut St.). Emceed by the funnymen at Scrapple TV, the noon-to-9 p.m. street fest features live music, comedy, vendors and film-festival guests, such as Bob Platshorn, a homegrown Philly boy turned pot smuggler featured in the documentary "Square Grouper."

The movies of martial-arts master Tony Jaa take over the Piazza at Schmidts (1050 N. Hancock St.) on Sunday at noon, with a marathon screening of all three "Ong Bak" movies. The cult favorites feature healthy helpings of roundhouse kicks, flying knee bombs and even a fight atop an elephant. Between screenings, local martial-arts gyms will perform live demos. After a lot of Jaa, the party moves to North Bowl (509 N. 2nd St.) at 9 p.m. for drink specials, bowling and billiards.

On Monday, partyhounds must choose among a trivia showdown, robots or the honoring of a movie legend.

Johnny Goodtimes, Philly's master of trivia, hosts a Quizzo night at the Plough and the Stars (123 Chestnut St.) from 8 to 10 p.m., in support of "The Legend of Sofa Kingdom," which screens at 6:30 Monday at the Painted Bride. The doc profiles Goodtimes and Sofa Kingdom, a renowned local trivia team, who will be on hand to put any challengers in their places. The party continues at Triumph Brewing Company (117 Chestnut St.).

At the Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) at 8 p.m. Monday, Cinefest honors director John Carpenter with the Phantasmagoria Award for his service to horror buffs. Carpenter's most recent flick, "The Ward," screens early in the fest (Friday and Saturday), but the Troc ceremony includes a screening of his classic (and totally bonkers) flick "Big Trouble in Little China."

Also on Monday, at 6:30 p.m., will be a Skyped panel discussion from the folks at Legacy Effects, the studio founded by the late Stan Winston, the godfather of special effects. The panel will discuss Winston's last project, the Bollywood epic "Endhiran" (a/k/a "Robot"), at Dive Visual Effects, 601 Walnut St., Suite 1050.

And there's more: three karaoke nights. National Mechanics (22 S. 3rd St.) hosts the first on Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Next Wednesday, hair will be teased and heads banged at heavy-metal karaoke at the Troc, in honor of metal mockumentary "Fubar: Balls to the Wall." (The flick screens before the party.) Sick prizes are promised for the best heavy-metal outfit. Also on Wednesday, Mexican Post (108 Chestnut St.) hosts a karaoke fiesta.

Another pairing of film and party surrounds dearly departed comedian Bill Hicks. "American: The Bill Hicks Story" will screen Tuesday, followed by a night of stand-up hosted by 24/7 Comedy.

Cinefest's closing bash follows the screening of Morgan Spurlock's product-placement documentary "POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" on Thursday night. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. with drinks and buffet courtesy of host Positano Coast (212 Walnut St., second floor, $10-$25).