Weekend Picks -- Fall Fests All Over Town

So what if Sam Champion is expecting thunderstorms all weekend? A little rain never stopped a great New York City festival. There are plenty to choose from this weekend -- both indoor and outdoor. Some festivals promise to go on rain or shine, but be sure to check the web sites for the others to make sure they haven't been rained out. And don't forget your big umbrella.

• TropFest NY 2008 -- Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival, is at the World Financial Center Plaza on Friday, September 26th (rain or shine). Thousands of New Yorkers, including VIP judges Billy Crudup and Malcolm Gladwell, will view 8 original short films and choose the night’s best films.



• New York Anime Festival -- The New York Anime Festival is at Jacob Javits Center all weekend. Mingle with anime artists and check out anime screenings, video games, live-action Japanese cinema, fashion, food, and more.



• New York Film Festival -- The New York Film Festival starts Friday night and runs through October 12th. Check out 28 film premieres, including the latest from directors Clint Eastwood and Darren Aronofsky.



• FAB! Festival -- Sample the best of the East Village and Lower East Side with multiple stages, screenings, installations, hands-on activities, local vendors and more. The FAB! show will go on rain or shine.



• Improv Everywhere's MP3 Experiment -- Be part of Improv Everywhere's latest participatory experiment this Saturday on Governors Island. Download an mp3 with the secret instructions (no listening in advance), gather your props (see web site for details), and show up at 3:15pm ready to press play and obey your mp3. It's all organized by the people who brought us the No Pants! Subway Ride, so a good time is almost guaranteed.



• Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day -- On Saturday, enjoy free admission to museums and cultural institutions including Asia Society, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Museum of the City of New York, and many more. It's Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day. Just download and print out the admission card and then take it to any participating museum in New York City.



• Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park -- The area around the Cloisters Museum will be transformed into a medieval village on Sunday. Hang with knights, jesters, magicians, storytellers, and puppeteers in authentic medieval garb. But check the web site before you leave -- the festival will be postponed until October 5th if the rain is too torrential.