Polson film festival a big hit
Not only does Polson’s Flathead Lake International Cinemafest have an ideal acronym, “FLIC, ” but it’s become an ideal new venue for national and international indie film producers to showcase their talents.
The idea of creating a film festival to draw audiences to the small lakeside resort city in the wintertime germinated in part from the Envision Polson! Committee, a group created in 2007 under the Greater Polson Community Foundation in collaboration with the city of Polson and its Chamber of Commerce.
Although this was only the festival’s second year, it grew from 27 films last year to 79 films from 16 different countries at this year’s festival. The widely attended event Jan. 24 to 26 featured more than 40 world premieres and included full length films, shorts and documentaries. Several filmmakers were also on hand to share their stories during the weekend.
One film-goer wrote the Inter Lake to describe the festival’s vibe:
“We had a fabulous experience and encourage those who missed this year’s event to be sure to put it on your calendar next year.
“From the opening night party Friday to the awards ceremony on Sunday, no one left disappointed. The whole event was classy. Thank you for bring this event to our community and showing how proud we can be of our little town of Polson.”
Profits from the festival were earmarked for Dollars for Scholars, a Polson-area organization that awards money to students studying media arts.
Penny Carpenter, a board member with the Northwest Montana Humane Society, wrote to thank everyone who attended the organization’s Valentine’s Day open house event and especially Ms. Bertelsen’s class from Muldown School who made sure each dog and cat had its own personal valentine.
Members of the Mission Valley Christian Academy choir delivered more than 80 singing valentines.
The students sang their hearts out in local nursing homes, schools and businesses in Polson and the Mission Valley.
Reactions ranged from smiles to tears and even a little embarrassment, according to the academy Director Chris Bumgarner, as individuals were serenaded in front of their peers. Everyone who received a singing valentine was very gracious to the students, Bumgarner said.
The money raised will purchase music and an MP3 recorder for the school.
Gateway to Glacier Trails’ “Fall in Love” soup supper on Feb. 21 drew a crowd and raised money for the proposed bicycle/pedestrian path from Bad Rock Canyon to West Glacier. Folks donated delicious homemade soups and sweets to the cause and local artist Colt Idol presented his giclee print, “Discover Freedom.” Idol is donating $100 from every print sold to the trail.
The next fundraiser is a Story Slam from 5 to 8 p.m. March 21 at the Belton Chalet. Master storytellers from the Flathead will share short stories. Bring your best four- to five-minute yarn for the open microphone session.
Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.