Friday, October 7 – Monday, October 10
— from Donna Laslo —
UPDATED 10/5/16 with corrected day for “Sustainable” showing. Also added link to the downloadable program.
With award winning films from 17 countries, the Orcas Island film festival has an exceptional mix of Oscar-buzz titles, arty fare and world class favorites lined up for a dream weekend for film lovers.This years highly anticipated festival features a selection of critically acclaimed films and audience favorites direct from their debut at the world’s greatest film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Telluride, Toronto, New York and Seattle. Many of these films are bound to be award contenders at the Oscars as they show up in cinemas this fall and over the Thanksgiving and Christmas movie-going season. The Orcas Island film festival provides an intimate and arts-rich setting in which these films can be seen before their official theatrical release.
OPENING NIGHT GALA | FRIDAY | 5:30 PM | ORCAS CENTER
Join us for the Opening Night Gala Reception where guests can meet visiting
artists, directors, writers and producers along with other film buffs. Tickets for
the Gala are $15 and include hors d’oeuvres, beverages and music. This is one
you can dress up for! Be sure to buy a ticket for your opening night film of choice.
GIRL ASLEEP | FRIDAY | 7:30 PM | ORCAS CENTER
Winner of the Seattle International Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Film,
“Girl Asleep,” Rosemary Myers’ feature debut, based on the stage play of the
same name that morphs from 70s pop nostalgia into a fantastical fable of
growing up.
TRESPASS AGAINST US | FRIDAY | 8:00 PM | SEA VIEW THEATRE
For cinephiles that are more into the dark than the bright kleig lights of a glam
70s party, there is the option of Adam Smith’s “Trespass Against Us,” a thriller
starring Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson. This film had its world
premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, is not due out in theaters
until early 2017.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE OIFF SHORT FILM
The winner of this year’s OIFF short films contest will have their film screened at
Seattle International Film Festival in 2017. The winner will be chosen via online and
audience votes. You can view the shorts (Aproximada, Yoga for Salvador, and
Storm of the Century) online at orcasfilmfest.com, see them at the premiere and
before several major screenings. Please check the schedule for screening times.
Join us at Random Howse for the late night awards party on 10/8 at 10:30 pm.
VISIT THE OIFF HUB
The official OIFF Hub this year is hosted by Random Howse, featuring in-house and to-go dining created by pop-up restaurateurs Matia Dinner Series. Stop by for drinks, food, film previews and conversations. Hub hours 11:30 am-late night.
ABOUT MATIA
Matia are three local chefs pursuing excellence in culinary expression. Beginning humbly as a pop-up series in apartments, Matia has evolved into a wide-reaching collective that delivers unforgettable dining experiences characterized by their locally procured flavors.
MEET THE FILMMAKERS!
SATURDAY | 1:00 PM | SEA VIEW THEATRE
Award Winning Director Jean Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club and Wild) will be here for the back to back screening of his films “Cafe’ de Flore” and “Demolition.” Joining him is Bryan Sipes the writer of Demolition for a post-screening discussion.
SUNDAY | 4:30 PM | ORCAS CENTER
Best-selling author Stephen Elliott of “Adderall Diaries” fame is here for the screening of his new film, “After Adderall” along with lead actress Mickaela Tombrok and the film’s editor Michelle Boticelli. After-show panel hosted by Rachel Newcombe also includes local author Jennie Shortridge.
SUNDAY | 11:00 AM | ORCAS CENTER
The Ataxian directors Zack Bennett and Kevin Schlanser will be attending their screening and hosting a post show Q & A.
SATURDAY | 6:00 PM | ORCAS CENTER
Megan will be here to introduce her short film, “Everybody Does It” before the feature presentation of “A Brand New Testament.”
MONDAY | 10:00 AM | ORCAS CENTER
“Sustainable” director Matt Wechsler will be here to host a Q & A conversation after the screening. The film is a passion project for him, combining a shared love of food with his talent as a documentary filmmaker.
You can download the program HERE.
I’d like to thank Donna, Jared, and all their colleagues for bringing this stimulating event to the Island once again. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed seeing such world-class cinema, some of which were films only recently shown in the leading festivals around the world. In a word, wow!