You think Jennifer Lawrence has it rough leading up to the Academy Awards ceremony? Picking out a designer gown pales in comparison to the challenge we mere mortals face: we must see all those Oscar contenders we missed on their first go-round in theaters.

Well, thank goodness that the Garde Arts Center's New Lodnon Winter Film Festival is here to help.

The fest showcases all sorts of in-the-running movies. How are they nominated? Let us count the ways.

Some are best-picture nominees - "Argo," "Beasts of the Southern Wild" and "Life of Pi."

One is up for best animated feature - "Paranorman."

Others? "Moonrise Kingdom" is in the running for best original screenplay, while "A Royal Affair" is included in the foreign-language film category.

Some of the movies in the Garde line-up were nominated for Golden Globes, and one won the best-picture Oscar last year. (Yes, it's "The Artist.")

They're all shown inside the Garde - a restored movie palace, thank you very much - and on a giant screen. It's old-school, in the best possible way

- KRISTINA DORSEY

SIDEBAR SCHEDULE

New London Winter Film Festival schedule

All films screenings are at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted, at the Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London.. Single tickets are $6; passes that allow entry to all screenings are $30. Call (860) 444-7373, ext. 1, or visit gardearts.org.

Friday, Feb. 15: "Flight"

Saturday, Feb. 16: "ParaNorman," 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16: "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

Sunday, Feb. 17: "A Royal Affair," 3 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 21: "The Sessions"

Friday, Feb. 22: "Argo"

Saturday, Feb. 23: "Life of Pi," 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 23: "Anna Karenina"

Thursday, Feb. 28: "Rust and Bone"

Friday, March 1: "The Artist"

Sunday, March 3: "Moonrise Kingdom," 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 7: "Searching for Sugar Man"

Friday, March 8: "The Impossible"

Sunday, March 10: "Les Miserables," 3 p.m.