FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — The Frederick Film Festival is putting on shorts.

The three-day event begins Friday and features nearly 100 short films from 25 countries.

Organizers say short films have become popular due to their tight storytelling and varied themes.

The event includes a collection of award-winning National Geographic films, with introductions by the filmmakers.

The festival also is showing 10 feature-length films. They include the documentary, “Salad Days,” about the punk music scene in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s.