The short film New Boy is an 11-minute microcosm of life in which a new boy at school is tested, rejected and then accepted by his peers.

The 12th Rhode Island International Film Festival gets off to an auspicious start at 7 tonight in the cavernous Providence Performing Arts Center with a selection of short films that range from 7 to 24 minutes.

Unlike previous years, says George Marshall, founder and executive director of the festival for all its dozen years, for tonight’s show the RIIFF is no longer limited to screening 35-mm film prints at the 1928 movie palace. “This year we have a high-definition rear-projection system that pushes the boundaries of the technology.” Sony and HB Communications have donated equipment for PPAC as well as for the Columbus Theatre [the main staging area for festival screenings] and other venues.

A glimpse at 2 of the 10 films being screened at tonight’s opener show the wide range, depth and professionalism of this year’s offerings.

From Ireland comes Steph Green’s New Boy which, in only 11 minutes, presents a microcosm of life in which a new boy at school is tested, rejected and then accepted by his peers.

He’s Joseph, who comes from Africa and is the awkward stranger in the school. His attempts to figure out where he fits in in the school’s pecking order as he’s baited by the class wise guy are colored by his thoughts of a more pleasant time at school in his African homeland where his father was also the teacher.

Much to the consternation of his exasperated teacher, the schoolroom tiff between the boys turns into a ruckus during recess in the schoolyard involving three boys. Some sort of disciplinary action needs to be taken, thinks their teacher. But the boys’ fight quickly turns into mutual appreciation as the boys band together against a common enemy — their teacher. It’s all very well presented.

For something totally different, there’s Bill Block’s The Drummer, about a man who, at 40, is still trying to live his dream. Dave, who has always dreamed of being a top-flight drummer in a band, still suffers belittling badgering from his father, who calls Dave on his 40th birthday to urge him to let go of his dream and “get a steady job.”

Then, out of the blue comes a phone call from an acquaintance who is stuck in Chicago and can’t get to a gig later that evening at a ritzy Connecticut wedding reception. Dave agrees to go, yet except for the band’s mellow singer, Ivy, the rest of the band has been delayed as well and the frantic wedding planner blames Dave. So Dave, who is so reticent and silent that the wedding planner believes he’s mute, suddenly picks up his drumsticks.

What happens next is a wonderful surprise (although one wonders about the phantom guitars and saxophones heard in the background of Dave’s drumming) in a sweet film that’s about never letting go of your dreams.

Dave Raiajczak offers just the right tone of mystery to the drummer who looks like he might either run away or be unable to face an audience. And Asmeret Ghebremichael adds her splendidly mellow jazz voice — and a sense of compassion — to the film.

The show begins at 7 at PPAC and tickets are $20 to see the 10 films in tonight’s opener.

For a complete Rhode Island International Film Festival schedule, go to www.film-festival.org

mjanuson@projo.com