FILM SNEEK PEAK YOUNG FILMMAKERS TO BE HONORED AT FESTIVAL.

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

Two Valley girls - 11-year-old Rachel Jackson of Studio City and 10- year-old Surya Melkonian of Reseda - tied for first place in the elementary category of the fifth annual Backyard National Film Festival, a showcase for filmmakers 18 and younger.

Their films - Melkonian's ``Velveteen Hagfish'' and Jackson's ``Rachel's Thoughts'' - will be among the winners shown in the festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Los Angeles Center Studios.

The program also includes a preview of ``Party Animals,'' which starts airing Monday on HBO Family. It's a documentary about the 2000 presidential election that a young filmmaker began shooting long before ``dimpled chad'' became a common term.

Los Angeles Center Studios are at 1201 W. Fifth St. at Bixel. Tickets are $5, with free admission to kids 18 and under. Information: BNCFF [phone]; Los Angeles Center Studios [phone]; on the Web at www.childrensfilmfest.org.

BENEFIT SCREENING: The Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Women in Film are hosting a benefit screening tonight of ``What Matters Most,'' the first and last film by director Jane Cusumano.

Shortly before she was set to start filming the drama, a story of teens in forbidden love, Cusumano learned that her breast cancer had spread. She was determined to make the film in rural Texas, driving 30 miles for treatments. She died June 1, four weeks after finishing the project.

The 7 p.m. screening is at the Writers Guild of America, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. Donations will be accepted for WIF and SAG's Catastrophic Health Fund. Reservations are required. Call [phone] or go to www.chateauwallyfilms.com for information.

BARRYMORE BOOK: Long before Drew Barrymore first charmed moviegoers as little Gertie in ``E.T.,'' her ancestors were legends of stage and screen.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Carol Stein Hoffman will discuss and sign copies of her new book, ``The Barrymores: Hollywood's First Family,'' which includes never-before-seen photographs from Barrymore family albums.

Hoffman will be at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and students, and $4 for children ages 5 to 12. Information: [phone].

LAEMMLE EXPANDS: Laemmle Theatres has acquired the Fairfax Theatre at 7907 Beverly Blvd., west of Fairfax Ave.

Improvements include new carpeting and new seats in a roomier arrangement. Titles for opening weekend are ``Va Savoir,'' ``Dinner Rush'' and ``Burnt Money.'' Information: [phone].