12th Flathead Lake International Cinemafest in the books
David King photo
Jack Gladstone, left, and Brendan Hall, right, speak to audience members after the screening of “Out There: A National Parks Story.” Gladstone appears in this documentary directed by Hall. The film won the Best Documentary Feature FLIC Award.
David King photo
Audience members watch a film screening during the 12th annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest.
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POLSON — The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest opened last weekend for the 12th year with three days full of films at the Showboat Stadium 6 movie theater.
Full-length narrative and documentary features, shorts, animation and student films are screened at FLIC events. This year, more than 45 films from 12 countries as well as many homegrown Montana films were featured.
Over the years the event has grown to include a food sampling from local eateries, live music, a free movie screening and breakfast for kids as well as several mixers - opportunities for film goers to meet with featured FLIC filmmakers and actors.
“My favorite part of this event is getting to tell people stories and getting to give people the chance to experience different films from what you can find on Netflix,” said FLIC co-producer Jessica King.
“Out There: A National Parks Story” was directed by Brendan Hall who created a film about his journey across the country. He was inspired by his grandfather Jim who took a similar journey.
“Logistically, we had a smooth trip, and I wish I could tell some crazy stories, but Grandpa Jim went through it way more than us and didn’t have GPS,” he said. “Hedgehog,” another film, took viewers to the conflict going on currently in Ukraine. Dmitry Gefland wrote and directed the film. Born in the former Soviet Union, Gefland’s film highlights the struggles and heartaches associated with the conflict.
David and Jessica King, who developed the festival, hosted a question and answer session after the films. David explained to audience members that while it typically takes about six months to stage the festival, this year was even longer since “we started getting film submissions last April.”
For those who may have missed the weekend’s event, encore screenings continue at the Showboat through Thursday, Feb. 22.
FLIC 2024 award winners:
Impact Award - Toni Young Whealon
Best Animation - Manny
Best Montana Film - Saving for the Day
Best Original Score - Corey Payette & Julie McIsaac, Les Filles du Roi
Best Cinematography - Mark David, Hedgehog
Best Actress - Emma Pearson, Hedgehog
Best Actor – Rasmus Hammerich, On My Mind
Best Documentary Short - From the Heartland
Best Documentary Feature - Out There: A National Parks Story
Best Director - Corey Payette, Les Filles du Roi
Best Picture - Short - Hedgehog
Best Picture - Feature - Les Filles du Roi
Audience Award – Uprooted
