The 17th annual St. Louis International Film Festival does not officially begin until Nov. 13, when the Tivoli hosts “Humboldt County” (a ’70s-style dope-farming dramedy by former St. Louisans Danny Jacobs and Darren Grodsky that I heartily recommend). But there’s a streaming online component to the fest which has already begun.

At a site called Indie-Fest , five feature films are available for your viewing pleasure–and your vote. You have until midnight, Wednesday, Nov. 12. The winning film will screen at Webster Univeristy on the closing night of the flesh-and-blood festival, Nov. 23.

The five movies, as described by the long-winded directors on the Indie-Fest site, are:

Jace McLean’s “Sons of Liberty”: After his fiancée leaves him, Brogan, a struggling actor, moves in with his stoner best friend Tristan. When their buddy Linus, a nebbish office drone, falls in love with the wife of a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, these three clueless 20-somethings are sent stumbling towards a second coming-of-age.

Jeff Daniel Phillips’ “Otis E.”: After spending nearly 15 years in solitary confinement, Otis (Kevin Durand: Smoking Aces, 3:10 To Yuma, Wild Hogs) is released back into society. Under the supervision of Los Angeles County Probation Officer, John Anderson (Mike Wiles: Transformers, Art School Confidential), he moves into a transitional facility, run by Al (Jack Kehler: winner of the Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor opposite Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza, also Fever Pitch, The Big Lebowski), where his re-assimilation can be monitored.

Otis attempts to start a new life but the past is too enticing. He heads to a local Taxi Dancer club where he meets Penny (Tammy Trull: Harsh Times, Havoc), a dancer who seems to care about him. This being so unfamiliar to Otis, he stays with her far beyond his curfew.

Fearing the consequences of violating his parole, he decides not to return at all. During breakfast, Otis is approached by Hamid (David Diaan), a Persian Rug salesman. He offers Otis a job helping with his deliveries. Otis agrees and Hamid takes him to an isolated desert community to revisit some previous customers. Among these, the compound of the evangelist broadcaster, Reverend Roy (Peter Stormare Whom finished playing mobster John Abruzzi in the hit TV series “PRISON BREAK” this last fall, he is easily remembered in the smash hits FARGO, THE Big Lebowski, Minority Report, the multiple Oscar nominated Chocolat and Lars Von Trier’s critically acclaimed Dancer In The Dark) with his congregation of vestal vixens, and the exotic artist Palma who decides Otis deserves a place in a mythological mural she is painting.

As officer Anderson learns of Otis’ disappearance, he decides that he must lead the search to find the missing parolee. During the investigation, bits of Otis’ troubled and violent past are revealed, including his forced involvement in prison gladiator matches. When they learn of Penny, they find she is missing as well. Officer Anderson fears the worst. Following the GPS on Otis’ leg bracelet, Officer Anderson heads to the desert. He meets up with the local Sheriff and they relentlessly track Otis and Hamid throughout their odyssey, culminating in a final confrontation between Otis, the law and destiny.

Mia Trachinger’s “Reversion”: Los Angeles. Another reality. A swath of humanity is afflicted by a genetic mutation that prevents them from delineating time: the past, present, and future unfold simultaneously. The result is a savage, fractured society in which the genetic mutants possess no moral values, no regard for right and wrong, and no fear of death. There are no consequences to their actions; free will is an illusion.

REVERSION follows the story of EVA, a genetic mutant who longs for a normal life. After her surrogate son, RAY, disappears during a violent encounter in a supermarket parking lot, Eva runs into MARCUS, a past and future lover with fatalistic tendencies. As time collapses around her, Eva realizes that she will kill this man in a fit of rage. Determined to change her fate, Eva asks Marcus to accompany her to The Beach, where a rumored cure can be found for their affliction. Marcus is skeptical – he doesn’t need or want a cure. But he loves Eva and wants to be near her, so he agrees to go along for the ride.

The journey takes longer than expected – obstacles seem to multiply by the moment – but they finally reach their destination. Eva connects with a mysterious surf-guru named Nick, who advises her to abandon her gun in the sand. He does not, however, have any easy answers for her. Nick suggests that Marcus stay behind and spend some time in the water, but he tells Eva it wouldn’t do any good for her to stay. Reluctantly, Eva leaves the beach and Marcus refuses to stay behind.

Eva takes Marcus back to her commune. The housemates are unhappy with Marcus’ presence and vote to kick him out. Eva ignores the request. Feeling empowered by her brief visit to the beach, Eva insists that she can change the future and choose NOT to kill Marcus when the time comes. Their happiness is short-lived, however. When Ray returns just as mysteriously as he disappeared, he sets off a chain of events that force Marcus and Eva into a brutal confrontation. In a single moment, human frailty, free will, and the nature of time collide to complete Eva’s quest for redemption and self-determination.

Graham Green’s “The Torturer”: You’re dragged from your house to a secret prison. You have no right to a lawyer or a fair and speedy trial. You don’t know when — or if — you will ever be released. You don’t know who your captor is, if he’s legitimate, or what tools he will use to get what he wants. The sound of the man screaming in a distant cell is terrifying, but not nearly as terrifying as the sound of the electric drill that accompanies it No one can hear your cries for help. Nothing you say seems to satisfy him. Nothing he says seems to make sense. You tell him you don’t know the answers to his questions. He says you’re lying. He says he has proof, evidence, photographs, Internet records, wire-taps, bags of uranium oxide. You’re hooded, frozen, stripped, probed and sexually humiliated. The deeper he goes the more you doubt our own sanity, and his. You know what you need to do to stop him, but you won’t. You’re confused. Only one thing is certain: In A Post 9-11 World No One Can Hear You Scream.

Aaron Coffman’s “Texas Snow”: Celebrating the poetry of everyday conversation, “Texas Snow” eavesdrops on the romantic entanglements of three twentysomethings.

On the basis of brevity, I’d vote for Aaron Coffman’s “Texas Snow,” which also happens to be a film by a local director I know and like. But it’s up to you. Start streaming, America.