There is an alternative to big budget blockbusters. There is an alternative to clueless comic strips. There is an alternative to political complacency.

Lost Film Fest, with special guest speaker David Rees, will bring vigorously political media to State College in hopes of provoking interest and activism. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., located under Chili's Grill & Bar, 137 S. Allen St. Admission is $2.

Based in Philadelphia, Lost Film Fest is a traveling showcase of film that highlights the importance of a rising movement of truly independent cinema.

"All films have some bend where they poke fun at corporate government fascism and challenge status quo," festival director Scott Beibin said. "We see ourselves not as much against government institutions or Hollywood, but as a separate and alternative reality."

The Fest encourages audiences to use new technologies to create independent media, said Liz Cole, Lost Film Fest booking agent. It also aims to break the back of corporate distribution by standing out as a visible presentation of forward thinking that is free of sexism, racism, homophobia and classism.

Beibin does not want audiences to expect total solemnity though, and said that fans of TV shows Politically Incorrect, The Kids in the Hall and Jackass will appreciate the films' humor and logic.

David Rees, author of comic strip Get Your War On, will speak before the films hit the screen. In early October 2001, Rees posted eight comic strips on his Web site (www.getyourwaron.com) in which office workers discussed the war on terrorism.

One character explained the war with typical Get Your War On sarcasm: "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a war on drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore? It'll be just like that."

Rees' site has received more than 20 million hits, as well as media attention from the likes of Rolling Stone and the New Yorker.

"[Get Your War On] was one of the first criticisms of the war on terrorism that was way out of left field in its format and cynical, drunk tone," Rees said. "It was so 'inappropriate' relative to the mood of media at the time."

Soft Skull Press published the complete collection of comic strips this October. Both Rees and his publisher donate proceeds from the book sales to Afghan landmine relief efforts.

"I didn't want to sell the book and become a war profiteer, so I'm giving away all of my royalties," Rees said.

State College resident Tim Holsopple is responsible for bringing Lost Film Fest and Rees to Happy Valley. Holsopple, who is editor-in-chief of entertainment webzine manateebound.com, received e-mails about the Film Fest from Beibin.

"I know little or nothing about indie film but I have an interest in the ideas," Holsopple said. "It's all done independently."

Webster's seemed like the perfect venue, Holsopple said.

"We like to think of ourselves as a bastion of independent thinkers, liberals and anyone open-minded," Webster's co-owner Elaine Meder said. "The film fest celebrates all those qualities."

Meder and Holsopple encourage anyone interested in community, politics, film or art to attend. Holsopple said Lost Film Fest's dogma will resonate within the Penn State population.

"These are issues college students are dealing with everyday, whether they know they are or not," Holsopple said.