This year marks the 14th that the Vail Film Festival has come to town, which means that this weekend -- and the Thursday and Friday before -- are all about screenings, panels, and parties; we've broken down the schedule so you can plan things out accordingly.

Thursday, March 30

Opening Night Film, 7:30 p.m., Cascade Theaters; Opening Night Party 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., La Tour, Vail Village

The first of the Vail Film Festival's four nights in town kicks off Thursday with a screening of Carrie Pilby followed by a Q & A on the film. Based off of the best-selling book, Carrie Pilby's a coming of age tale, starring Bel Powley and directed by Susan Johnson, about a 19-year-old prodigy trying to navigate the real world outside of academia. Vail Village's La Tour will be hosting the after-party with post-film drinks and snacks being served until midnight.

Friday, March 31

Film Screenings, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Cascade Theaters and CineBistro; Hospitality Lounge, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cascade 

The first official day of screenings kicks off Friday, with submissions from the festival's Hong Kong Showcase, Student Film Showcase, narrative feature, documentary, and short categories all set to screen. The full schedule is on the Vail Film Festival's website, along with a guide to which films will be holding question and answer sessions afterwards. The hospitality lounge at Cascade is another nice bonus for the day -- pass holders can kick back in between films and hydrate, or indulge in a Stella Artois.

Filmmaker Reception, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 10th Mountain Whiskey Tasting Room, Vail Village

What better way to cap off a day full of film screenings than to sip local spirits at 10th Mountain Distillery's Vail Village tasting room alongside the writers, directors, and stars of the weekend's films? If you're not a filmmaker, the Platinum and Prima Patron passes are your ticket to the soirée, and can be purchased on the festival's website.

Saturday April 1

Film Screenings, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Cascade Theaters and CineBistro; Hospitality Lounge, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cascade 

Another day, another set of screenings, many of which also have Q&A sessions afterwards. The hospitality lounge will be open again if you need a bit of a break -- or a beverage -- during the back-to-back event. 

Women in Film Panel, 3:45 p.m., Cascade Theaters

This year's festival honors women filmmakers, and as such, the panel discussion at this year's event focuses on women in film. Vail-native writer, director, producer, and actress, Miranda Bailey will be on the panel, as well as Courtney Balaker, another Colorado born filmmaker, who spent winters in the area growing up. Other panel participants include Leila Djansi, and Katie Mustard, and the discussion will be moderated by the director of the Denver Film Festival's Britta Erickson.

Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m., Cascade Theaters; Closing Night Film, 7:30 p.m., Cascade Theaters; Closing Night Party 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., Larkspur, Golden Peak

Saturday night's red carpet -- yes, there will actually be a red carpet -- leads to the festival's award ceremony, final film (with Q&A session), and afterparty. This year's awards go to Julie Delpy -- an actor, writer, director, and two-time Oscar nominee -- who will be receiving the festival's Vanguard award, and actress Christina Ricci, who will receive the festival's Renegade Award. Sticky Notes, a film starring Rose Leslie and Ray Liotta and produced by Women in Film panelist Katie Mustard, closes out the event with a screening Q&A session for the movie before Golden Peak's Larkspur hosts the festival's final party.

Sunday April 2

Film Screenings, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Cascade Theaters and CineBistro; Hospitality Lounge, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cascade

Last chance to catch all the films -- without the accompanying Q&A sessions -- that screened during the festival's lead up. The lounge at the Cascade will still be open for anyone who missed it the first few days of the event.