No money, no problems

"Once More, This Time With Feeling," directed by Simon Connolly

By Joe Anuta

Hollywood, take note.

Only self-financed filmmakers will be screened during the Zero Film Festival, from Nov. 13-20 in Bushwick and Cobble Hill. And just because they’re low budget doesn’t mean low quality. In fact, large budgets can make films worse when money issues overshadow creativity, said festival founder Richard Hooban.

“With big-budget films, directors have lots of people telling them what to do,” he said. “But these filmmakers go out and make what they want, and they are pretty amazing at it.”

The week-long bash splits its time between Bushwick’s Nut Roaster Studios and Cobble Hill’s Invisible Dog, and you can catch a short comedy by Bay Ridge’s own Michael Rizzo (Nov. 20) or a tribal documentary by Iranian filmmaker Cima Sedish (Nov. 14) — just two of the many short films, animations, and features that make up the program.

You can also down free booze and listen to great bands every night, including dream pop act Asobi Seku on Nov. 13 and ethereal-rockers School of Seven Bells on Nov. 20, both at Nut Roaster Studios.

“It’s not a traditional festival where you sit down, watch a movie, then go home,” Hooban said. “This one helps build community.”

“Zero Film Festival” from Nov. 13-20 at Invisible Dog Gallery [51 Bergen St. between Boerum Place and Smith Street in Cobble Hill, (347) 981-4186]; and Nut Roaster Studios [119 Ingraham St. near Porter Avenue in Bushwick, (718) 456-7570]. Tickets $15. For times and events, visit www.zerofilmfest.com.