— from Shannon Borg for the Orcas Island Film Festival  —

The Orcas Island Film Festival will award grants of $5,000 to three filmmakers to explore the San Juan Islands and use it as a canvas to create short films that inspire, inform and entertain. Submissions are being accepted from May 12th to June 2nd at midnight.

The three winning independent filmmakers will have the chance to bring their film project to life, using the magic of the San Juan Islands as a backdrop during the summer of 2017. These three grant winning films will be featured at the 2017 Orcas Island Film Festival where the audience will choose a first prize winner who will be awarded a festival trophy and will have the honor of being featured in the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival in 2018.

Orcas Island Film Festival’s 2017 winning short film “Aproximada” by Kyle Carver and Dan Larson will screen Sunday, May 28th at 12P p.m. at SIFF Uptown Cinemas. For more information about submissions please visit www.orcasfilmfest.com/submissions.

ABOUT OIFF FESTIVAL

As one of the best kept secrets in the film festival world, the Orcas Island Film Festival features a curated selection of acclaimed international films and audience favorites direct from their debuts at the world’s greatest film festivals. Many of the films are award contenders at the Oscars each year, and attendees will see these films before their official theatrical release. With 30 films shown over 4 days, gala parties and filmmaker panel discussions, the OIFF provides a unique opportunity for filmmakers and film lovers to connect and share the cinematic experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Former Seattle International Film Festival’s Artistic Director Carl Spence curates the films, and helps make this emerging new festival a unique experience worthy of an annual pilgrimage.

The arts-rich village of Eastsound on Orcas Island is the perfect festival backdrop, with directors, producers and actors on hand for lively Q&A sessions and special events. For more information about the festival go to www.orcasfilmfest.com