Writers in Treatment’s Reel Recovery Film Fest opens Oct. 18

The Reel Recovery Film Festival, which focuses on stories of addiction and recovery, kicks off its fifth edition Oct. 18 at the Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex.

The festival presented by the Hollywood nonprofit recovery group Writers in Treatment, includes features, shorts, TV shows and discussions.

“In the past few decades, there have been numerous films exploring addiction and recovery, from comedies to thrillers, dramas to documentaries -- a creative outburst that proves the stories of addiction are as diverse as humans themselves,” said Leonard Buschel, executive director of the festival, in a statement.

Besides L.A., the festival also takes place in Las Vegas; Denton, Texas; New York City; and Vancouver.

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

“This traveling event is more than just a celebration of recovery and film, it’s an expansion of a dialogue between artists, treatment industry professionals and a public eager to learn more about America’s No. 1 health crisis,” Buschel said.

Among the highlights of the festival: a screening of the documentary “Paul Williams Still Alive” and an appearance by the Oscar-winning composer and actor and recovering alcoholic; a showing of the 2012 drama “Flight,” followed by a talk with pilot Larry Smith, who is a recovering addict; and an episode of FX’s comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” about video game addiction.

The festival continues through Oct. 24.

ALSO:

‘12 Years a Slave” receives a hero’s welcome in New Orleans

Tom Hanks navigates ‘Captain Phillips’ to first-class reviews

Robert Redford faces elemental challenge in ‘All Is Lost’