When packing your bags for the Nantucket Film Festival (June 21-25) bring your wallet—Nantucket is expensive. Bring warm clothes for chilly evenings; goop up with sunblock—in case you leave the theatre; turn off your cell phone, let down your guard, and unleash your spirit. The Nantucket Film Festival is a low-key, creative delve into the minds of screenwriters.

There are lots of ways to get here, by boat (Hyline or Steamship Authority—fast boats, slow boats—out of Hyannis, Massachusetts) or fly (and boy are my arms tired…).

There are lots of hotels (try The Beachside—it’s near the beach) and most of Nantucket’s guesthouses look like movie sets dressed in charm and antiques. Camping is prohibited, but there is a Youth Hostel called The Star of the Sea.

Once you are settled, head to the Point Breeze Hotel Festival Headquarters—grab a schedule, purchase a program and map out your course. There’s too much to do, so prioritize. Opening night is TAO OF STEVE (Dreamland Theater @ 4:30 p.m.), a very funny crowd-pleaser according to NFF Artistic Director Jill Goode.

Next morning and every morning it’s "Morning Coffee With…" at Cambridge Street Restaurant, hosted by television and film director Jace Alexander (ALLY MCBEAL, LAW AND ORDER). Start each day with sustenance, a jolt of caffeine, and a dose of reality from seasoned players.

Not a morning person? Spend the late afternoon "In Their Shoes" as professionals share the secrets of success each day at 3:30 p.m..

Empty now, the Gas Light Theater patiently awaits the arrival of festival-goers June 21 - 25.

Most events are within walking distance, so get out your comfy shoes, duck around the corner and you’re off to the movies. The following are Goode’s Pic Picks. Be illuminated by the U.S. premier of the Austrian film BRIGHTER THAN THE MOON (Gaslight Theater Thursday @ 9 p.m., Dreamland Saturday @ noon). Nantucket local Jerry Stiller portrays exploitative filmmaker Morty Fineman in the mockumentary THE INDEPENDENT (Dreamland Friday @ 2:30p.m.). Sundance Festival favorite GIRLFIGHT (Dreamland Thursday @ noon, Saturday @ 10 p.m.) is a good bet. Flower children will enjoy STEAL THIS MOVIE (Dreamland Friday @ 5 p.m., Gaslight Saturday @ 9 p.m.) starring Janeane Garofalo; "a bio pic which distills the spirit of the 60’s," says Goode. Flower children who can remember the 60’s and 70’s on Nantucket may recall folksinger Jack Elliot and will want to see his daughter’s documentary about his life, BALLAD OF RAMBLIN’ JACK (Dreamland Saturday @ 5 p.m.). Islanders will relate to BYE, BYE BLUEBIRD (Dreamland Sunday @ 4:30) about coming of age on the Faroe Islands in Denmark. Bostonians may recognize their stomping grounds in the short NIGHT DEPOSIT (Dreamland Thursday @ 2:30).

Screenwriter Paul Schrader (TAXI DRIVER), the NNF 2000 writer’s tribute recipient hand picked 3 of his films for screening: LIGHT SLEEPER, BLUE COLLAR, and MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS—considered by many to be his best work. Each of those films will be followed by a Q & A with Schrader. Schrader is also scheduled to host a Panel Discussion on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Nantucket High School (NHS) — a short walk, bike, cab, or bus ride from town.

Two other Panel Discussions have been scheduled. Arbitration: Whose Script is it Anyway? is Thursday at 4:30 at NHS. Post Deal and Pre-Release: the Peaks and Pitfalls is Sunday at noon at Bennett Hall.

They’ll be plenty of seats for the staged readings this year as UNHINGED (Thursday 8 p.m.) and AND SHE WAS (Saturday 8 p.m.) with actor Paul Rubin are in the 500 seat NHS Auditorium. The Friday afternoon reading of ORPHAN by Thomas Murtagh is at 2 p.m. in Bennett Hall.

For star gazers model Claudia Schiffer is rumored to be coming, Anne Meara, her husband Jerry Stiller and son Ben Stiller are all sure bets, along with Superman bad boy, John Shea. At night the stars put on a show for free — don’t miss Nantucket’s night sky.

Nantucket is a beautiful oasis, no stress, just fun and beauty (ok, I’m biased — I live here and do locations). While you’re here try not to spend the whole time in the dark, the way light plays on the island is beyond comparison. Schedule time to get out and enjoy our serenity.

Writer and actress Susan Beaumont is a Nantucket Location Scout and local television correspondent; watch for her on Channel 22, Nantucket.