FILM SNEAK PEEK ACTORS FOCUS OF METHOD FEST.

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

The third annual Method Fest, a film festival where splashy effects and dazzling locations take a back seat to the performances themselves, opens tonight in Pasadena with the world premiere of Larry Clark's ``Bully.''

The film, starring Brad Renfro, Rachel Miner, Nick Stahl and Bijou Philips, is based on the real story of Bobby Kent, a high school bully who was killed by a gang of well-heeled teen-agers.

The centerpiece screening Sunday is ``Jump Tomorrow,'' a romantic comedy about a shy Nigerian man who falls for a stunning Latina.

Other highlights in the lineup of 26 features and 39 shorts include the world premieres of the dramas ``Hard Luck'' and ``Rustin,'' screenings of the dysfunctional-family ensemble drama ``Go Fish,'' and the Los Angeles premiere of a new rendering of Robert Louis Stevenson's ``Treasure Island'' with Jack Palance as Long John Silver.

The Method Fest closes June 22 with presentations of Spain's award-winning drama ``Sobrevivire'' and a psychological thriller, ``Finder's Fee,'' written and directed by ``Survivor'' host Jeff Probst. Not surprisingly, that film poses the question, ``How far would you go, if you thought you could get away with it?'' One of its stars, James Earl Jones, will receive the festival's lifetime achievement award.

Screenings are at Laemmle's Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., and Travis Auditorium at Fuller Theological Seminary, 180 Oakland Ave. Individual screening tickets are $8, and other passes are available through the Laemmle box office or TicketWeb, [phone] or www.ticketweb.com. Information: [phone] or www.methodfest.com.

SHORT STUFF: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tonight is screening all eight films that were nominated for the most recent Academy Awards.

The program begins at 7:30 with the animation winner, ``Father and Daughter,'' followed by ``The Periwig-Maker'' and ``Rejected.'' After an intermission come the live-action shorts: ``By Courier,'' ``One Day Crossing,'' award winner ``Quiero Ser,'' ``Seraglio'' and ``A Soccer Story.''

Tickets are $5 for the public and $3 for academy members. The academy is at 8949 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Information: [phone].

SILENTS ARE GOLDEN: A western classic starring William S. Hart plays at 8 tonight at the William S. Hart Museum in Santa Clarita.

``The Tall Gate'' will be shown with two comedy short subjects, with live accompaniment by the Photoplay Orchestra. Former silent movie actor Ray Erlenborn will talk about his experiences after the show.

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door of Hart Hall, 24151 San Fernando Road. Information: [phone].

The Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles has programmed Charlie Chaplin's ``The Kid'' for Father's Day. The film, directed by Chaplin, launched the career of Jackie Coogan, who played the orphaned ragamuffin with the big, sad eyes. It plays tonight through Sunday evenings with Sunday matinees. Information: [phone].

OFFBEAT ANIMATION: American Cinematheque delves into the surreal works of a prominent Czech animator with ``The Bizarre, the Droll & the Occult: The Magical World of Czech Filmmaker Jan Svankmajer.''

The weekend showcase includes a sneak preview of Svankmajer's latest, ``Little Otik,'' a twisted-fairy-tale-type story that blends live action with stop-motion and conventional animation.

Svankmajer has created many original stories - some of which have been censored by Czech authorities - and also has lent his rare vision to familiar tales such as ``Alice in Wonderland,'' ``Faust'' and ``The Pit and the Pendulum.''

Screenings are at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Information: [phone] or www.egyptiantheatre.com.

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Timmy (Donnie Jarman) hooks his finger rather than a fish on a trip to ``the secret spot'' while the dysfunctional Johnson family tries to help in ``Go Fish,'' part of Method Fest in Pasadena.