Geoff Klein, Mo Fine and Esther Bricques winemakers Steve and Linda Colvin welcome movie-goers to the barrel room which has been converted to a theater for the TwIFF.
OROVILLE – The Tumbleweed International Film Festival presented 33 short films over three nights, featuring everything from documentaries, to an Oscar winning animated film.
“It was a nice Olympic showing of short films from around the world including the U.S., Uganda, Iceland, Britain, France, Hong Kong, Canada, India, Puerto Rico, Spain and Australia,” said Geoff Klein, a Seattle filmmaker who co-founded the festival with fellow filmmaker Mo Fine.
Viewings included animation like “The Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” which screened at the family night at Veranda Beach and won the the Oscar for short animation. There were also documentaries like “Aquadettes”, “Honor the Treaties” and Catcam.” There were several comedies like “036,” a farce about the Spanish bureaucracy, which played at Alpine Brewing to the British short featuring Dame Judy Denche in “Friend Request Pending,” which played at Esther Bricques.
“I think our audiences enjoy the diversity of the film venues as much as they do the short films,” said Klein, adding that the three venues had a nice turnout, with repeat fans and new attendees.
“The Tumbleweed film experience is pretty unique and it’s really much more than just the films,” he said.
Families seated themselves in lounge chairs around the pool at Veranda Beach, watching the shorts, while eating popcorn under the stars; others enjoyed Bart’s German-style brews and eating from the barbecue on his expanded patio over at Alpine and then others enjoyed sampling the wines at Esther Bricques, while taking in a little live music and some of the gorgeous outdoor settings of the winery before the films started inside their barrel room,” Klein said.
Tumbleweed also provides an interactive atmosphere for filmgoers, as attendees are asked to give scores to the films they watch. These final tallies we be listed at www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com following the festival’s event in Osoyoos, BC later this month.
“And speaking of fans, as we continue growing this festival in the area, we’re always looking for more people to join us on Facebook, as that’s a great place to check in to learn about upcoming films, meet with filmmakers, view trailers, learn about our venues and sponsors, as well as find out more about this beautiful area,” adds Fine.
Tumbleweed will be bringing its festival up to Osoyoos at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre Aug. 16-18. The festival will include many of the films from this year’s festival as some new short films.
“If you missed getting out to one of our events this year in Oroville, you can still catch many of the films up in Osoyoos, where attendees will again have the opportunity to watch great shorts from around the world while sampling local wines and beers,” said Klein.
This will be the second year that Tumbleweed brings its festival up to Osoyoos.
“Besides sharing films with our Canadian neighbors, we also enjoy getting the word out in B.C. about Oroville and Tonasket, helping our sponsors get the word out that there are also many opportunities right here for tourists visiting the Okanogan, as well as the residents there,” Fine adds.
The Tumbleweed Film Festival in Osoyoos includes wine and beer tastings at the Desert Cultural Centre, as well as opening and closing ceremonies provided by the Osoyoos Indian Band. Each evenings will offer different short films. Tickets are $18 and may be purchased at the door or online.
The Tumbleweed Film Festival is already making plans for its 2013 festival in both the Okanogan and the Okanagan areas.
“We’ll be back on for a fourth next year, so please mark your calendars now for the first weekend in August 2013,” said Klein.
To learn more about the upcoming Tumbleweed Film Festival in Osoyoos see tumbleweedfilmfest.com and to follow the festival on facebook go to www.facebook.com/tumbleweedfilmfestival.
