Wichita can watch a bunch of Academy-Award nominated short films at this annual festival

Film buffs: It can be pretty difficult to track down all the Academy Award-nominated Best Picture nominees before the Oscars air (this year, on March 2.) But in Wichita, it’s easy to see all the short films that are nominated. Each year, the Wichita Public Library puts on an Academy Awards Short Film Festival and screens all the nominees in the documentary, animated and live action film categories. This is the 39th year for the festival, which launches this weekend.

If Monster Trucks or live jazz is more your thing, you have options this weekend, too. Following is a list of fun activities on the calendar in Wichita this weekend:

Academy Award Shorts festival

Saturday, Feb. 22,-March 1, Wichita Public Library system

The 96th Academy Awards are coming up on March 2, and for 39 years, the Wichita Public Library has been screening the short films nominated in the live action, animation and documentary categories. The screenings start this weekend with films in all categories running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from the animation and live action categories screening from 1:15-5 p.m. Sunday at the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. Second St. Screenings also will happen from 5-7:45 p.m. on Wednesday at the Advanced Learning Library (documentaries); from 5 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen Community Center & Library, 2601 N. Arkansas (documentaries); and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 1 at the Advanced Learning Library (all categories). All films are less than 40 minutes. They’re not rated, so they may not be suitable for younger audiences. Admission is free. For a full schedule of films, visit www.wichitalibrary.org/academyawards

Monster Jam

1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman

Monster Jam returns to Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena this weekend, and shows are scheduled for 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The event features an arena full of dirt with 12,000-pound monster trucks standing up on two wheels and flying through the air. Fans also can buy an extra ticket for Pit Parties that happen before the shows that allow people to see the trucks up close and get autographs from their favorite drivers. Tickets for the show are $20 to $90, and Pit Party tickets are an extra $20. Tickets are available at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.

Mark Arts open house

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 1307 N. Rock Road

Mart Arts’ annual Art Market & Open House will happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and will feature local and regional artists, designers and crafters selling items like pottery, clothing and artwork. Visitors also can take part in a scavenger hunt, see instructor demonstrations and take tours. The event will happen in the venue’s Great Hall, and admission is free.

Jazz Festival at Friends

Today, Friends University, 2100 W. University

Friends University is putting on its 31st annual Jazz Festival and it will feature a live performance by a well-known jazz performer as well as educational events for jazz band students and directors. The festival, which started on Thursday, continues on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. concert in Sebits Auditorium. It will feature the Friends Jazz Lab Band and the Concert Jazz Band, who will be joined by guest artist Victor Garcia — a Grammy-nominated trumpeter from Chicago. Tickets to the Friday night show are $12 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at www.friends.edu/finearts/fine-arts-tickets. For a full schedule of the festival, which also includes workshops and clinics, visit www.friends.edu/featured-events/jazz/jazz-festival

Let your hair down

10 a.m. and noon Friday-Saturday, 201 S. Lulu

Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center is taking the stage again for a kid-friendly musical adaptation of “Rapunzel,” the classic story of the long-haired princess trapped in a tower. Shows are 10 a.m. and noon Friday and and Saturday at the theater, 201 S. Lulu. Tickets for the show only are $9. Those who attend the noon shows and want a pizza lunch that starts at 11:30 a.m. pay $11. The performances are appropriate for ages 2 and up. Call 316-262-2282 for reservations.

One Night with Elvis

7 p.m. Saturday, TempleLive, 332 E. First St. North

Tickets are still available for a show on Saturday titled “One Night with Elvis,” a celebration of Elvis Presley’s music with impersonator Dale Kenny and his band, the Night Classick’s. It will be at TempleLive, the music venue inside the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Wichita. The show starts at 7 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 at wichita.templelive.com