Into the Shadows is an independently and locally made film that reveals how the mega-multiplexes squashed your friendly local independent cinema. It features film industry executives making jaw-dropping statements in a film they would never put into a multiplex. Ever inventive, filmmakers are looking at new ways of getting Australian films to Australian audiences by bypassing the mainstream industry. It screens at Arc Cinema on Saturday Feb 6 at 2pm and on Thursday Feb 18 at 7pm.

The 18th annual Movie Extra Tropfest will be shown at Commonwealth Park on Sunday February 21 to the largest live audience outside Sydney. As the largest short film festival in the world, Tropfest is recognised for its enormous contribution to the development of the Australian film industry by providing unique platforms for emerging filmmakers. Tropfest 2010 is proudly hosted by the ACT Government and will commence at 3pm with DJs followed by the screening of the Tropfest Jr finalists short filmmaking competition open to kids aged 15 and younger. The program continues with more live entertainment culminating in the Tropfest film screening from 7.30pm.

The lights will be dimmed for an intimate evening of romance and seduction as the illustrious Mikelangelo joins the golden-voiced Saint Clare for an evening of lullabies and love songs at The Front on Monday February 15 at 8pm. The show features original songs and duets written by Mikelangelo and Saint Clare, performed on guitar, piano, melodica and glockenspiel. These enchanting lullabies will transport you into a world of wonderful things, where melancholy gives rise to an enduring sense of hope and optimism. Mikelangelo has toured the world as a star of the Olivier-award winning La Clique, and has risen to great national and international profile with his group The Black Sea Gentlemen. Tickets $20/$15.

Freshly Baked Biscuits will feature some of Canberra’s hottest talent playing only the newest beats. Team Wing take the inaugural Rave o’ Clock New Music Hour, a whole hour of strictly the freshest tunes that will be recorded live for streaming until the next FBB. Expect a host of brand new Team Wing remixes, plus original material from Sølsta and a live collaboration between Proze (Melb) and Ryz. It’s all happening on Friday February 5 at Mercury Bar and is only $5 all night.

Sydney’s multi-award winning singer/songwriter Snez has never been afraid to bare her soul to an audience. Indeed, it’s what she does, and her accolades and awards are proof that she does it well. With her first studio album Gypsy Soul out through Regal Records, Snez gets up close and personal with two shows in the ACT. Snez will be at The Phoenix on Monday February 8 and at The Front on Thursday February 11. For more info head to www.myspace.com/snezmusic.

Canberra promoters Party By Jake will be bringing more style to the Capital in 2010 with their new monthly event dubbed Heartbeat. The stylish event will be launched at Transit Bar on Saturday February 27, and will kick off the new year by launching upstart Sydney street-fashion label Pete Versus Toby (merch giveaways on the night) and featuring DJs including disco demon U-Go-B (Modular/Syd), party-jammers Deckhead DJs (Syd) plus a host of local stars including Staky and Party By Jake DJs. For more info, contact partybyjake@gmail.com, myspace.com/partybyjake, twitter.com/partybyjake, and find Party By Jake on facebook.

Back to storm the stage once again with their electrifying amalgamation of rock/metal/prog on Saturday Feb 13 will be the ever intensifying Entropy Within. Returning to one of their much-loved cities, Entropy Within will be performing epic tracks from their upcoming album One Long Year. They’re just one of the awe-inspiring bands performing as a part of Muddslide on Saturday Feb 13 at PJ O’Reilly’s. For more info head to www.myspace.com/entropywithin.