You know a festival isn’t going to be typical when the opening night includes something called “The World Air Sex Championships.” And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. While Air Guitar contests have started to become popular all over the world, the Alamo Drafthouse thought they’d take it to the next level by having contests simulate sex with… the air. Surprisingly enough, they didn’t invent the art –– it was imported from Japan, of course. Appropriately, after the US premiere of Zack & Miri Make a Porno, the air sexers took the stage.

Last night was a culmination of 13 months of smaller contests leading up to the finals, and to our virgin eyes it was a sight to behold. You had “The Frenchman” with a French flag painted on his chest, the girl who simulated sex to “Hot For Teacher,” and even a complete troupe of air sexers who came out dressed as, respectively, Sarah Palin (complete with inflatable pig… with lipstick), John McCain, a bulldog, a moose, and a Secret Service agent. I’m seriously surprised that both the performers of that one and us in the audience didn’t end up in Guantanamo for that one.

After the break you can watch some video highlights from the championship at what is definitely not your normal film festival.