The First Look Film Festival, the USC School of Cinema-Television’s weeklong showcase of films created by student filmmakers, is set for the week of April 4.

Held twice yearly, in April and October, the festival previews the work of USC filmmakers and animators.

The comprehensive four-program festival features advanced short film projects produced by students in class workshops or as independent projects. It is free to the public.

The first festival of 2005 will take place April 4-9. The festival’s annual animation night, a full evening devoted exclusively to animation projects, will be offered on April 8.

The selected student films will be shown Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, at the DGA Theater at 7920 Sunset Blvd. Screenings will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night.

On Saturday, April 9, all films shown throughout the week will repeat during the course of the day at Frank Sinatra Hall, located in the Eileen Norris Theatre Complex on the USC campus.

Fifty-one films – from dramas and documentaries to comedies and animated shorts – will be included in this year’s program.

“There are always interesting and worthwhile films for the industry observers who come each year,” said Larry Auerbach, associate dean of student-industry relations. “And as the track record indicates, many students benefit directly from this exposure. Many students are approached by agents and managers because of the talent displayed in their films.”

Among the notable filmmakers who have showcased their first efforts at the festival are Gary Fleder (“Kiss the Girls”), Luke Greenfield ( “Girl Next Door”), Mollie Jones (the upcoming “Chinese Baby”), Anne Misawa (Eden’s Curve), Bryan Singer (“X-Men,” ) and Jon Turteltaub (“While You Were Sleeping”).