FLIC film festival celebrates its 10th anniversary
A still of quarterback Sami Grisafe from the documentary feature film "Open Field" screening Jan. 28 at the Flathead Lake Independent Cinemafest in Polson.
FLIC 2022 also welcomes returning special guest film producer Gerald Molen who will be presenting his film “Jurassic Park” and then sitting for a Q&A following the screening. Molen served as producer on many of Steven Spielberg’s iconic films, including “Schindler’s List,” “Jurassic Park, The Lost World,” “Minority Report” and “Hook.” Molen’s other notable producing credits include “Twister,” “Days of Thunder” and “Rain Man.”
Stand-up comedian Brian Kiley joins FLIC 2022 for a live event called “Comedians in Chairs Eating Popcorn.” Kiley has made over 20 appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” He’s been a staff writer for Conan for over 20 years and is the show’s head monologue writer. Kiley’s won six Writers’ Guild Awards and has been nominated for an Emmy more than 15 times, and won an Emmy in 2007. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Contour by Getty Images)
Standup comedian Adam Yense returns for FLIC 2022 with hilarious clips from his hidden camera stints as “Adam the Cashier” for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Yense has also written for The Oscars, been a freelance contributor to SNL’s Weekend Update, and co-produced the web series “Laugh Lessons with Kevin Nealon.”
The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) celebrates the 10th anniversary of its winter film festival during the weekend of Jan. 28 to 30 at the Showboat Stadium 6 in Polson.
FLIC screens full-length features, shorts, animation, student films and documentaries. FLIC 2022 will offer a broad selection of international films, featuring entries from 18 countries, as well as homegrown Montana films. As with previous years, many filmmakers plan to travel to Montana to participate in the festival in person.
FLIC has become a destination film festival with an enthusiastic audience supportive of independent cinema. Spirited discussions between audience and filmmakers cap off most screening blocks.
Jjudges enjoyed discovering this year’s cinematic gems, including the documentary feature film “Open Field,” which provides a hard hitting inside look inside the world of women’s tackle football — and features NFL greats who have supported them, including Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris. “Open Field” tells the story of the women who leave everything on the field in their drive for greatness, earning recognition and respect. Shot on location over the course of six years — with full access to practice sessions, games, private conversations in locker rooms, and off-the field activities — the film shows three world championships with Team USA. “Open Field” screens at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28.
FLIC 2022 also features a full slate of exceptional documentary and narrative short films. One of top narrative shorts is the Academy Award-nominated “Feeling Through,” a coming of age story that follows teenager Tereek who’s wandering the streets of New York looking for a place to crash for the night and encounters Artie, a deaf-blind man in need of help getting home. From that initial awkward meeting between strangers an intimate bond is formed, and a very moving personal journey that forever changes Tereek.
The festival kicks off on Friday, Jan. 28, with an informal gathering at the Cove Deli & Pizza at 11 Third Ave., Polson. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served, with optional menu items available. Screenings commence at 6 p.m. on multiple screens at the Showboat Stadium 6, 416 Main St., Polson.
On Saturday, Jan. 29, screenings resume at 9:30 a.m. with the free animated children’s film, “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” Festival film screenings resume at 12:30 p.m. and continue on multiple screens into the evening. There will be a break in film showings from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for an informal gathering at The Lake Bar, located at 49494 U.S. 93, Polson.
On Saturday at 4:30 p.m. there is another informal gathering for FLIC
filmmakers and audience participants at Blodgett Creamery Coffee Saloon, where complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.
The FLIC 2022 weekend draws to a festive close with the Awards Show and dessert reception Sunday, Jan. 3, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Audience Award will also be given to the audience’s overall favorite film. This event is free to the public.
If you miss FLIC weekend, the Showboat Cinema Stadium 6 will host FLIC 2022 encore screenings from Sunday evening, Jan. 30, through Thursday evening, Feb. 3, at 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The encore screenings schedule will be posted on FLICPolson.com in January.
All films, times and events are subject to change. The FLIC 2022 screening schedule is available to view at FLICPolson.com, where festival passes and individual screening tickets may also be purchased. FLIC is also on Facebook, with information updated regularly. For more information, email contact@flicpolson.com.
