Melvin Van Peebles will be here Sunday night

Fans of Melvin Van Peebles are probably already planning to catch the closing night selection, "Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-Itchyfotted Mutha," his new film. (At 75.) But now there's a bonus -- he'll be here for the screening. I first heard it from excited fan/festival volunteer Janet Johnson, and it was confirmed by Skizz Cyzyk, programming manager for the festival. Skizz pointed out that Van Peebles has been to the MFF twice before, once to introduce his film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song," and also when his son's biopic about him, "Baadasssss," screened at the festival. For "Sweet Sweetback," the MFF had to get the print from Melvin Van Peebles himself, so he decided to bring it in person, Skizz said. And both father/subject and son/director (Mario Van Peebles) came for "Baadasssss."