There is no place like home, and that is exactly what 12 local filmmakers will prove at the 10th annual "A Place Called Sacramento" film festival hosted by Access Sacramento.

PCS challenges local filmmakers to write a 10-minute script about the people, places and events that define our community.

"The idea of telling a story and making a movie is, in some ways, the great American novel," said Ron Cooper, executive director of Access Sacramento. "For many, making a film is a lifelong ambition. They just need an outlet to succeed."

And that outlet is being provided by Access Sacramento. Each year, Sacramentans have a unique opportunity to submit their original work to Access Sacramento, a local non-profit organization that uses community media to encourage digital storytelling, for the chance to have their script made into a film.

A panel of five judges, comprised of local film professionals, evaluate the entries based on the strength of the script, the inclusion of local resources and locations and its "do-ability" or chance of success. After the winners are selected, local actors, film production crews and any interested volunteers combine their talents and produce the films throughout the summer months.

"The goal of PCS is to show that anybody can make a film," said Michelle Barbaria of Access Sacramento and a two-time PCS participant.

Wayne Johnson, "Ten Minute Ride" writer, proved that this goal is being fulfilled. "Where else can a first-time writer, producer and sometimes director make a movie that will be screened in front of so many people? It really is a chance of a lifetime."

Twelve films were selected for this year's festival. Over the past nine years, 88 films have been created. The addition of these 12 will result in an even 100 films created by local artists over the past decade.

The 2009 films are "The Push" by Danna Wilberg; "Ten Minute Ride" by Wayne D. Johnson; "Nightmare On K Street" by Jessica Vazquez; "City of Trees" by Mark Perrigan; "Beatrice & The Bike Thief" by Frank Casanova; "Cup O' Tea" by Isaiah Tichenor; "Master of Destiny" by Julie Ivanovich; "Play Day" by Carrie Stroud; "641/2" by Chris Henry; "Midnight Snack" by Leilani Hernandez; and "11 B Diaries" by Laura Tapia.

All of the films are required to be family-friendly in nature; however, this had not stopped filmmakers from exploring controversial topics including cannibalism, drug addiction, kidnapping and war. These topics are examined through a wide range of film genres including comedy, romance, horror, and drama, which results in an emotional ride for the attending audience.

Frank Casanova, director of "11 B Diaries" recognizes the emotions that are brought out in Tapia's script about the lifelong bonds made by soldiers during war. "I think the picture accomplished its goal. It's difficult to not have a tear when you watch it."

But some films are more lighthearted in nature and really give the audience a chance to identify with the characters.

"Our film ["Master of Destiny"] is a quirky comedy that is really grounded in reality," said Julie Ivanovich. "I think Sacramento, as a community, is defined by the characters in this film. Ryan [the main character] is the everyman. He's every person who's ever been dumped, or lost their job, or faced a difficult path in their lives. He is the people of Sacramento. He is Sacramento."

This year, as a first for the PCS festival, a film written by a child was selected as a winner. 8-year-old Leilani Hernandez wrote and produced "Midnight Snack" with the assistance of her father Carlos Hernandez.

"Leilani's story is very creative," said Cooper. "She really put her foot down and followed her vision and would not take many suggestions from her dad. This shows that anyone from the community can be active and involved in the collaborative process of film-making. I want other 8-year-olds in the audience to think 'Wow, I could do that!' "

Carrie Stroud, author of "Play Day," also had the involvement of children in mind when she wrote the script. Stroud's movie features the kids of Skylab Youth Center, an organization for children whose families are transitioning from homelessness to self-sustainability. "We had kids casting the movie, directing, behind cameras, on headphones for sound, even holding boom mics and doing the hair and make-up."

The goals of many of this year's filmmakers are very similar. "I hope the audience feels moved, enlightened and entertained," said Danna Wilberg, writer of "The Push."

But even more than entertainment, all PCS participants want to showcase the greatness of Sacramento and all it has to offer.

Mark Perrigan has these expectations from his film "City of Trees." "I hope Sacramento can be seen as not just a city, but as a community in my film. A place people are proud to say they are from."

The PCS festival will be held at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., on Sunday. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Crest box office, the Access Sacramento office located at 4623 T St., or tickets.com. Doors open to the event at noon and the show starts at 1 p.m. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets in advance and arrive early, as past shows have nearly sold out.

All photos included are still shots from the winning movies and are courtesy of the filmmakers.