Pacific Northwest Indie Film Fest to show film festival circuit favorites
While major film festivals seek new locations, directions, and dates, the Vashon Island Film Festival (VIFF), August 8-11, 2024, grows and attracts more film-loving attendees and support. Besides an incredible atmosphere for film-going, Vashon Island is one of the most celebrated culinary destinations in the Pacific Northwest, making it a hidden gem in the world of film fests. You can enjoy all the comforts of film-watching with delicious eats and drinks right outside the theater door.
For 2024, the Vashon Island Institute (VFI), the nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering independent filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest, has announced a slate of films for VIFF with 12 feature films, ten shorts, and three local spotlights, all at the iconic Vashon Theatre. This selection of films was curated by VFI President and longtime island resident Mark Mathias Sayre, who also serves as the CEO of the motion picture distributor and sales entity The Forge and the VFI programming team. Sayre’s commitment to independent film and programming is a rarity in the current film festival world and should be applauded and praised.
Vashon Island Film Festival
Three local projects are in the newly minted Local Spotlights category. VIFF will also feature a selection of other events for patrons to experience, including the Red Bicycle Awards Ceremony, hosted on Sunday, August 11, at the Vashon Theatre and its outdoor pavilion, The Backlot, a newly renovated and family-operated cultural landmark on the island.
VIFF has made its mark by providing some desirable films to watch that have been part of the current film festival circuit. Most often, filmmakers, cast, and crew are part of the screening, providing an intimate experience for the audience and filmmakers—even beyond the screening!
“I don’t envy our jury’s job,” says Sayre. “Our line-up is as strong as ever—the best from this year’s festival season. Even our patrons will have difficulty choosing which films to watch, which is a good problem to have.”
