As usual, this year’s Oscars were generally predictable, with critics picking “Chicago” as the big winner weeks, even months in advance. Even Michael Moore’s tirade against the war was predictable, given the nature of his work and, well, the content of every film and television show he’s ever made.

What is surprising to me is the fact that Moore got recognition at all for “Bowling for Columbine.” The film is decidedly anti-corporation, exposes controversial information about the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States and questions one of the core beliefs of many Americans — namely, the right to bear arms.

When “Bowling for Columbine” first appeared in theaters, it was in a limited number of venues. Even in Madison, one of the most liberal cities in the Midwest and one of the most likely to give good reception to the film, it was originally shown in only one theater.

After a few of my friends saw it and gave it rave reviews, I decided to check it out for myself. Although there are several scenes that are difficult to watch, both personally and as a part of the American culture, the documentary was truly, in my opinion, revolutionary and exposed several issues that needed to be exposed.

I was shocked, for instance, when the screen filled with a picture of an airplane that now stands as a landmark at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. I visited the Air Force Academy in high school, and several of my friends and I posed under the airplane for a picture.

In “Bowling for Columbine,” however, I learned that the plane had been used for one of the largest-scale bombings carried out during the Vietnam War, a campaign that killed hundreds of people. Moore used the fact that the plane had been made into a monument as an example of Americans’ ignorance of, and apathy about, violence.

It is these personal connections that made the film great in my mind. As I walked out of the theater, still contemplating what I had just seen, I realized that it was truly amazing that the film made it to theaters at all, rather than being merely pushed under the rug or released straight to video. Even more amazing, looking at it now, is that “Bowling for Columbine” has expanded into mainstream movie theaters and even won an Academy Award.

Moore’s successful run with “Bowling for Columbine” proves a very important point about the movie industry — it is possible to criticize, voice sometimes-unpopular opinions and still be recognized for making great films. But not all independent and below-the-radar films enjoy Moore’s critical success. This is why it is our job to seek them out, rather than wait for them to appear in a theater near us.

Luckily for us students, there is a golden opportunity awaiting us this weekend as the Wisconsin Film Festival gears up for its sixth year. This is the biggest yet for the annual festival, and over the course of four days, more than 120 films will be shown around the city, ranging in subject from street musicians to giant spiders to autism.

The film fest is always one of my favorite weekends of the year, and it makes me remember why I love Madison and why I have chosen to get my college education here.

Every year, I sit down with my fellow film-going friend and strategize, trying to make the best and most efficient use of our ticket package. I’ve caught some real gems in the two years I’ve been attending the festival — “Series 7” in 2000 is probably my favorite, although last year’s documentary on polyamorous relationships and the problems they can cause is a close second.

This year it’s a somewhat different story, as one of the perks of being an arts editor is getting the opportunity to check out far more of the festival’s films than I’d previously been able to afford. After much planning, scheduling and hair-pulling, I came up with a fairly solid block of movies, documentaries and talks to catch over the weekend, most of which I’m sure will be different from anything I’ve ever seen before or will see again.

Although several of the films featured at the festival in previous movies have gone on to be recognized by the general population (“Y Tu Mama Tambien,” for example, was shown at last year’s festival and was nominated for an Oscar this year), there is also a good chance that several of the movies I saw there will never see the light of day, in theaters or on video.

The Wisconsin Film Festival presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what independent filmmakers all over the country are experimenting with. Catch them while you can!