The East Lansing Film Festival will present a sneak preview of “Tape” tonight at 7:30 in 108B Wells Hall.

“Tape” is the film version of Stephen Belber’s one-act play. It stars Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard.

The story revolves around Vin (Ethan Hawke), who has returned to Lansing for a film festival. He runs into Jon (Robert Sean Leonard), an old friend whom he begrudged from high school. It seems Jon may have stolen Vin’s girlfriend Amy (Uma Thurman) in high school, possibly raping her. Jon and Vin talk all night in a small motel room on Saginaw Highway until Amy arrives.

Director of the East Lansing Film Festival, Susan Woods, said the movie came about after the Independent Film Channel divvied 1 million dollars between ten films, all to be shot digitally.

“They gave Richard Linklater (director of ‘Tape’) two of these grants,” Woods said.

Ethan Hawke is a good friend of Linklater’s and found Stephen Belber’s play, she added.

“He wanted to act with his wife, Uma Thurman, so he knew this would be perfect,” Woods said.

The screening is free, but passes are needed to attend. These free passes can be obtained from Sparty convenience stores or at the East Lansing Film Festival offices, 304 Evergreen Ave., (One block west of Abbott Road, between Grand River and Albert avenues).