"Precious," the audience favorite at the Toronto and Sundance film festivals, is one of three movies that will open the Three Rivers Film Festival, which runs Nov. 6-21.

In an impressive triple play, the festival will show "Precious" at the Harris Theater, Downtown, while the Regent Square Theater will screen "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," featuring Heath Ledger's final, unfinished role.

Dr. Ravi Godse's farcical "If It Ain't Broke, Break It" will provide local flavor and humor at the Melwood Screening Room in Oakland on opening night.

"Precious," which counts Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry as executive producers, is about an overweight, illiterate Harlem teenager repeatedly raped and twice impregnated by her father, and treated with scorching abuse by her mother.

And yet, despite seemingly insurmountable odds and obstacles, the girl emerges with education, hope and love in a drama that could be Oscar-bound. The cast includes newcomer Gabourey Sidibe in the title role along with Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Sherri Shepherd.

Director Terry Gilliam's "Imaginarium" is a fantastical morality tale set in the present day. Christopher Plummer is Parnassus, whose bargains with the devil granted him immortality but may cost him his daughter when she reaches 16.

After Ledger accidentally overdosed on sedatives, Gilliam turned to Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law to play roles representing aspects of the late actor's character.

"Precious" and "Imaginarium" are coming to the festival weeks or possibly months before their commercial runs here.

Dr. Godse's "If It Ain't Broke ..." is a farce with a message about a man who is told he has six months to live so he decides to improve the lives of six friends. As you might expect, plans go awry.

In addition to well-known performers Steve Guttenberg, Rondell Sheridan, Richard Kind, Bill Nunn and Sabrina Bryan of "The Cheetah Girls," it stars local actors such as Godse (whose day job is as a Pittsburgh physician), Adrienne Wehr, Patrick Jordan and Dave Petti.

The festival will conclude Nov. 21 with a new print of 1929's "Man With a Movie Camera" and live accompaniment by Boston's Alloy Orchestra at the Regent Square Theater.

Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Dollar Bank are presenting the festival, now in its 28th year. In addition to movies at Filmmakers' three venues, it will spotlight visiting filmmakers, informal discussions and a symposium along with parties and live music.

The opening night party will be held at Filmmakers' headquarters, 477 Melwood Ave., at 9 p.m. with the galleries opening an exhibit called "zoo of (in)animate" by installation artist Makiko Miyamoto.

Tickets, $15, include choice of opening night film, party with food and drinks, appearance by '80s girl-pop band Donora and late-night dancing with disc jockey Edgar Um.

Opening and closing night tickets, $15, go on sale Oct. 20 from www.proartstickets.org or by calling 412-394-3353 or visiting the front desk at Filmmakers, 477 Melwood Ave.

A kickoff cocktail party will be held at Concept Art Gallery next to the Regent Square Theater on Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets, $75, include an opening night movie and can be ordered by calling 412-681-5449, ext. 206.

On sale now: A Six-Pack Pass, for $40, granting six admissions plus a T-shirt and available at proartstickets.org, Crazy Mocha (free coffee with purchase), Filmmakers' front desk or its three venues.

A Silver Screenie Pass, $125, provides entry for all films and special events. Also available through proartstickets.org or 412-394-3353, all three theaters or Filmmakers' front desk.

Organizers also are planning a symposium at Filmmakers' Oakland headquarters asking, "Is film dead?" The session will examine the tools of the trade including high-definition video which in some cases has replaced film.

Symposium tickets are $30 or $15 for students and Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts members. For information, call Will Zavala at 412-681-5449, ext. 219, or e-mail zavala@pghfilmmakers.org.

The complete festival schedule will be announced late next week. Watch the Post-Gazette or www.3RFF.com for titles and details.

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