Modern adaptations of Shakespeare can fail spectacularly if they’re not carefully directed. But in rare cases, when all the pieces fall into place, newer versions illuminate the Bard’s truths. Argentine filmmaker Matías Piñeiro’s Viola, an adaptation of Twelfth Night played out by hipsters in Buenos Aires, interweaves the rehearsals of a group of women producing an all-female production of the play with snippets from their love lives. To kick off its annual Latin American Film Festival tonight, AFI Silver Theatre pairs Viola with Rosalinda, Piñeiro’s earlier adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, set on a tropical isle. Read more >>> The festival runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 9 at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $10–$12. (301) 495-6700. afi.com/silver/laff. (Caroline Jones)

EAT THIS

Time to put all the tater tot gorging you did in middle school to good use. A tot-eating contest called “Rock the Tot” takes place at Bar Louie tonight at 8 p.m. The contest is broken up into two parts: a relay race and a solo competition. Relay race winners will get free tots for a year, and solo competition winners will also receive free tots for a year plus a $250 Bar Louie gift card. Participants should arrive no later than 7:30 p.m. and are encouraged to bring fans and wear costumes. You can register by filling out an entry form on the “Rock the Tot” website. Bar Louie, 701 7th St NW. (202) 638-2460. rockthetot.com. (Dean Essner)

OH AND ALSO

We assume you’ve been keeping up with our reviews of the annual DC Shorts film festival. Enjoy the films for yourself starting today at E Street Cinema and the U.S. Navy Memorial. Screenings begin at 7 p.m. at E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, and 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. See festival.dcshorts.com for a complete schedule.

Toronto electropop group Austra plays the Black Cat mainstage tonight with Diana. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $15.

Goldroom mixes synth grooves and disco beats tonight at U Street Music Hall. He’s joined by Russian new wave DJ Tesla Boy. 7 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $12.

Urban Artistry, Good Foot Dance Company, and Baakari Wilder collaborate on the Millennium Stage to tell the story of percussive dance in “The Meaning of Buck Dance.” 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.

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