Tumbleweed Film Festival brings the world to Oroville

By Gary DeVon • July 26, 2012 2:39 pm
OROVILLE – The Tumbleweed Film Festival, Washington’s most unique film fest, rolls its third annual film festival back to Oroville on Aug. 2, 3 and 4.
Tumbleweed highlights films from around the world, as well as local wineries and breweries, which are turned into movie theaters for a night. Tumbleweed’s festival offers attendees the opportunity to watch seldom seen international films, while sampling locally made wines and beers.
“This festival would not be possible without the strong support from the community, so we’re happy to enter our third year in Oroville, as well as getting the word out on the Okanogan area and bringing the world to the area,” said TwFF co-founder Mo Fine.
This year’s festival includes three evening showings. Each night features different short films, ranging from comedy and drama, to documentaries and animation. Thirty-three short films will screen over the three-day festival, which includes an academy award winning short, as well as films from the U.S., France, Uganda, England, Hong Kong, India, Iceland, Canada and Spain. Some films this year even include a star-studded cast like the British short “Friend Request Pending” with the actress Dame Judi Dench.
“Each night’s screenings of films are really strong this year. I think that our audiences are going to be pleasantly surprised”, said Geoff Klein, the festival’s other co-founder. “We also have a full copy of our three-day program on our website, www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com, in case some people can’t wait and want a glimpse of these great films.”
“Many of our filmmakers tell us how beautiful the area looks and that they’d love to attend the festival themselves sometime!” said Klein.
The festival kicks-off with an outdoor family night of films on Thursday, Aug. 2 at the Veranda Beach Resort, www.verandabeach.com, where attendees will enjoy a drive-in theater experience by watching the films outside, under the stars, beside Lake Osoyoos.
The event offers live music by the “Jazz Sax Trio,” a barbecue and local beers and wines are available for purchase. Doors open at 7 p.m. and films start at dusk. Tickets for films are $10. A “red carpet” experience is also provided by the Globe restaurant, which includes a three-course dinner, reserved seats, tickets and intermission popcorn.
On Friday, Aug. 3, TwFF turns the Alpine Brewing Co., www.alpine-brewing.com, into a movie theater for a night. Films include adult oriented comedies, a little drama and some twist and turns. Attendees may sample the brewery’s hand-crafted beers, or drink wines from four local wineries. A barbecue is available for purchase. Doors open at 5 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all attendees must be 21 or older.
Saturday, Aug. 4 features a night of movies in the vineyards at the Esther Bricques Winery – www.estherbricques.com. Films include many thought-provoking shorts including shorts that have screened at the Sundance Film Festival. The event offers live music light appetizers and features tastings of the winery’s vintages. Doors open at 5 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Advance ticket purchases and reservations are strongly advised, as this event will sell-out. Ticket purchases and reservations may be made through the winery.
Festival founders Fine and Klein started the festival to combine their love of filmmaking with their love of Washington’s Okanogan Valley.
This year’s primary festival sponsors are the Okanogan Estate and Vineyards, as well as Baines Title and Escrow. Other community sponsors include the Veranda Beach Resort, Prince’s Foods, the Camaray, Trino’s Restaurant, Hometown Pizza and Pasta, the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, the Globe and the Serenity Day Spa.
About Tumbleweed Film Festival: Tumbleweed Film Festival is a Washington state non-profit organization that is committed to bringing the art of storytelling, through filmmaking, to communities throughout the state of Washington and British Columbia. Please visit www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com for more details on this year’s annual festival, as well as their on-going “Best of Fest” events.