Flathead Lake International Cinemafest slated for February
<p>Jeff Chiba Stearns, a multi award-winning animation and documentary filmmaker, will be the highlight on opening night, Friday, Feb. 1. Stearns specializes in the creation of animation and documentary films for both children and adults that combine different philosophical and social elements together to create humorous, entertaining and inspiring stories.</p>
Flathead Lake International Cinemafest is bringing independent films to the Flathead Valley on Feb. 1-3 at the KwaTaqNuk and Showboat Cinema in Polson.
The films were screened and selected by a panel of local judges as they were submitted for FLIC and each of the judge’s choice films will be screened throughout the weekend. Judges included local valley residents Karen Lewing, David W. King and Mac Swan.
“The films that our judges selected are widely diverse and cover all genres,” Frank Tyro, professor of Media and Communications at Salish Kootenai College and FLIC co-chair, said. “I think we’ve got some really nice films.”
The FLIC weekend begins on Friday, Feb. 1 with the Opening Night Champagne Soiree in the main ballroom at the KwaTaqNuk Resort. The welcome/registration desk will open at 4 p.m. outside the main ballroom with ballroom doors opening at 5 p.m. Attendees of the opening soiree are encouraged to dress as their favorite movie star.
Jeff Chiba Stearns’ documentary “One Big Hapa Family” and three short animated films will be the first to hit the screens on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The screenings will be followed by a question and answer period with the filmmaker. Stearns is an international award winning animation and documentary filmmaker from Vancouver, B.C.
Friday ends with a 9:30-11 p.m. screening of other festival entries.
There will be six two-hour blocks of films on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. At the 8-10 p.m. screening block, David W. King, 30-year-film and television producer who moved to Polson in 2012 and formed his production company, David W. King Pictures, will give a special presentation and talk with the audience following the screening of his new venture.
On Sunday, two blocks of films will be screened, one starting at 10 a.m. and the other at 12:30 p.m.
Awards to be presented include Judges’ Best, Peoples’ Choice, FLIC Jr. Best and Honorable Mention. The reception is free with the presentation of a ticket stub from any screening block at the festival. Without a ticket stub the cost is $5. The location of the awards reception has yet to be determined.
For tickets, schedules or more information go to www.flicpolson.com or e-mail flic@montanasky.net. FLIC can be reached at 274-0181.