Vashon Film Institute (VFI), the non-profit organization dedicated to fostering independent film making in the Pacific Northwest, has announced the film slate for its third annual Vashon Island Film Festival (VIFF), set for August 8-11. VIFF will screen twelve features and ten shorts that have distinguished themselves on the festival circuit, in addition to three local projects 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, which is a newly renovated and family-operated cultural landmark on the island. Founded by VFI President and longtime island resident Mark Mathias Sayre, who also serves as the CEO of motion picture distributor and sales entity The Forge, VIFF will screen an array of features and shorts curated by Sayre and the VFI programming team. A selection of local highlights round out the program. All screenings are slated to take place in person.“I don’t envy our jury’s job,” says Sayre. “Our line-up is as strong as it’s ever been—it truly is the best of the best from this year’s festival season. Even our patrons will have a difficult time choosing which films to watch, which is a good problem to have.”
VIFF will screen seven narrative and five documentary features (all Pacific Northwest premieres unless otherwise noted). The narrative features include:Director Vincent Grashaw’s Bang Bang, starring Tim Blake Nelson (Watchmen, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, O Brother, Where Art Thou?) as Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski, an eccentric retired pugilist obsessed with rectifying the sins of his past, is fresh off its World Premiere at Tribeca 2024, where it was hailed as “the most satisfying movie at [the festival]” and “a career highlight from Tim Blake Nelson” (Awards Radar).
Director Guan Hu’s Black Dog (North American Premiere), Un Certain Regard Award and Palm Dog Grand Jury Prize Winner at Cannes 2024, takes place on the edge of the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, as Lang (Eddie Peng) returns to his hometown after being released from jail. While working for the local dog patrol team, led by Uncle Yao (Jia Zhang-Ke), that is clearing the town of stray dogs before the Beijing Olympics, he strikes up an unlikely connection with a black dog (Xiaoxin) and the two lonely outcasts find purpose in each other.
Fluxx still Director Brendan Gabriel Murphy’s Fluxx, Grand Jury Prize Award Winner for Best Feature Film at Malibu Film Festival 2024, follows famed actress Vada Pierce (Shelley Hennig) after she inexplicably awakens in her bathtub with no memory of the prior events. She discovers that her home has been ransacked and her husband (Shiloh Fernandez) is missing, but every time she tries to leave the house, she finds herself back in the bathtub. Desperate for answers, she must race against time to discover the truth of her circumstances. The film also stars Henry Ian Cusick, Charlotte McKinney, and Tyrese Gibson.
Director Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow, Audience Award Winner for Best American Feature Film at Champs-Élysées Film Festival 2024 and Seattle Film Critics Society Feature Film Award Winner at Seattle International Film Festival 2024, is a once-in-a-generation horror praised as “the best film of 2024, if not the decade” (Movie Marker). Teenage Owen (Justice Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when classmate Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show—a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.
Director Nicholas Colia’s Griffin in Summer swept the Tribeca Film Festival in June with top awards for Best U.S. Narrative Feature (Founder’s Award), Best Screenplay, and Best New Narrative Director. Fourteen-year-old Griffin Nafly (Everett Blunck) embarks on a unforgettable summer. While the other kids let loose over summer vacation, he is getting down to the serious business of putting on a dramatic new play. But when Griffin’s tween collaborator (Abby Ryder Forston) gets distracted by the more trivial pursuits of camp and boys, his attention drifts and he becomes increasingly smitten with kindred spirit Brad (Owen Teague), the zoned-out handyman and failed performance artist hired by his mother (Melanie Lynskey).
Directors Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez’ Sujo, Grand Jury Prize Winner for Dramatic World Cinema at Sundance 2024, chronicles the struggles of Sujo, who is only four years old (Kevin Aguilar) when his cartel gunman father is killed, as he grows into a man (Juan Jesús Varela). A shadow of violence surrounds Sujo during each stage of his life in the isolated Mexican countryside, where he lives with his aunts Nemesia (Yadira Pérez) and Rosalia (Karla Garrido) and cousins Jai (Alexis Varela) and Jeremy (Jairo Hernandez), until he finds out that fulfilling his father’s destiny may be inescapable.
Swarm (Rój) still Director Bartek Bala’s Swarm (Rój) had its United States Premiere at Cinequest 2023. Isolated from society for over a decade, a family has self-exiled on a remote island at the command of its patriarch (Eryk Lubos). But when his wife (Roma Gasiorowska) expresses a desire to return to the world from which they are hiding, the family’s foundation will be put to the test. Requiring over 9 months of pre-production to plan a brutal 33-day shoot on a remote section of the coast of Poland that has since been lost to erosion, the soundtrack for this gut-wrenching thriller features over 60 highly-specialized musicians and atavistic vocalists. The documentary features include:
Bastards of Soul poster Director Paul Levatino’s Bastards of Soul (West Coast Premiere) had its World Premiere at Sun Valley Film Festival 2024 and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Dallas International Film Festival and Audience Award Winner at the Hill Country Film Festival. The band Bastards of Soul emerged from the local Dallas music scene at break-neck speed, generating buzz that was suddenly cut short by the unexpected death of their charismatic frontman Chadwick Murray. The film captures their raw essence, in the limelight of imminent global fame, during the studio sessions and electrifying stage performances that turn out to be their last.
Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind of Wilderness, Grand Jury Prize Winner for Documentary World Cinema at Sundance 2024 and Documentary Competition Award Winner at Seattle International Film Festival 2024, finds a family seeking a wild and free existence on a small farm in the Norwegian forest. But after a tragic event changes everything, they are forced from their idyllic life into the expectations of modern society.
Directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev’s Porcelain War— Grand Jury Prize Winner for Documentary at Sundance 2024; Golden Space Needle Award Winner for Best Documentary at Seattle International Film Festival 2024; and Special Jury Prize Winner for Best Documentary Feature at Telluride Mountainfilm 2024—is a stunning tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Embodying the passion and fight that only artists can put into a world that’s crumbling around them, Porcelain War uses extraordinary footage filmed by ordinary civilians in war-torn Ukraine for a story that’s much bigger…a story about all of us.
Director Alison Tavel’s Resynator, Audience Award Winner for Documentary Feature at SXSW 2024, chronicles her journey through unsettling secrets and complex truths as she builds a relationship with her late father, inventor Don Tavel, who died when she was ten months old. What starts as a curious project to resurrect her mythical father’s synthesizer prototype that she rescued from her grandmother’s attic, turns into an insatiable globe-trotting quest aided by estranged family, lost friends, fellow inventors, and celebrated musicians like Grace Potter, Peter Gabriel, Fred Armisen, Gotye, and Jon Anderson.
Director Contessa Gayles’ Songs from the Hole, Audience Award Winner for Visions at SXSW 2024, is a visual album composed behind bars. At 15, he took a life; three days later, his brother’s life was taken; now, he is an incarcerated musician who is struggling for healing and peace as he comes of age.
VIFF will screen six narrative, three documentary, and one animated shorts: director Andrew Saunderson’s Crows (West Coast Premiere); director Anthony Saxe’s Dissolution, Grand Jury Award Winner for Narrative Shorts at SXSW; director Àlex Lora’s The Masterpiece (La Gran Obra), Grand Jury Prize Winner for Best Short Film at Sundance 2024; directors Kerry Furrh and Olivia Mitchell’s Ripe!, Best Narrative Short Winner at Tribeca 2024; directors David and Sam Cutler-Kreutz’ Trapped, Special Jury Award Winner for Narrative Short at SXSW 2024; directors Matt Eastman and Karen Knox’s The Year of Staring at Noses, Audience Award Winner for Best Canadian Short at Calgary Underground Film Festival 2024; director Jack Dunphy’s Bob’s Funeral, Short Film Jury Award Winner for Non-Fiction at Sundance 2024; director Shuli Huang’s Goodbye First Love, World Premiered at Berlinale 2024; directors Shannet Clemmings and Ursa Kastelic’s Remember, Broken Crayons Colour Too, Special Jury Prize Winner for Best Documentary Short at Slamdance 2024; and director Nina Gantz’ Wander to Wonder, Grand Jury Award Winner for Animated Short at SXSW 2024.
Swarm (Rój) still Director Bartek Bala’s Swarm (Rój) had its United States Premiere at Cinequest 2023. Isolated from society for over a decade, a family has self-exiled on a remote island at the command of its patriarch (Eryk Lubos). But when his wife (Roma Gasiorowska) expresses a desire to return to the world from which they are hiding, the family’s foundation will be put to the test. Requiring over 9 months of pre-production to plan a brutal 33-day shoot on a remote section of the coast of Poland that has since been lost to erosion, the soundtrack for this gut-wrenching thriller features over 60 highly-specialized musicians and atavistic vocalists.
The documentary features include:
Director Paul Levatino’s Bastards of Soul (West Coast Premiere) had its World Premiere at Sun Valley Film Festival 2024 and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Dallas International Film Festival and Audience Award Winner at the Hill Country Film Festival. The band Bastards of Soul emerged from the local Dallas music scene at break-neck speed, generating buzz that was suddenly cut short by the unexpected death of their charismatic frontman Chadwick Murray. The film captures their raw essence, in the limelight of imminent global fame, during the studio sessions and electrifying stage performances that turn out to be their last.
A New Kind of Wilderness poster Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind of Wilderness, Grand Jury Prize Winner for Documentary World Cinema at Sundance 2024 and Documentary Competition Award Winner at Seattle International Film Festival 2024, finds a family seeking a wild and free existence on a small farm in the Norwegian forest. But after a tragic event changes everything, they are forced from their idyllic life into the expectations of modern society.
Porcelain War posterDirectors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev’s Porcelain War— Grand Jury Prize Winner for Documentary at Sundance 2024; Golden Space Needle Award Winner for Best Documentary at Seattle International Film Festival 2024; and Special Jury Prize Winner for Best Documentary Feature at Telluride Mountainfilm 2024—is a stunning tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Embodying the passion and fight that only artists can put into a world that’s crumbling around them, Porcelain War uses extraordinary footage filmed by ordinary civilians in war-torn Ukraine for a story that’s much bigger…a story about all of us.
Resynator poster Director Alison Tavel’s Resynator, Audience Award Winner for Documentary Feature at SXSW 2024, chronicles her journey through unsettling secrets and complex truths as she builds a relationship with her late father, inventor Don Tavel, who died when she was ten months old. What starts as a curious project to resurrect her mythical father’s synthesizer prototype that she rescued from her grandmother’s attic, turns into an insatiable globe-trotting quest aided by estranged family, lost friends, fellow inventors, and celebrated musicians like Grace Potter, Peter Gabriel, Fred Armisen, Gotye, and Jon Anderson.
Songs from the Hole poster Director Contessa Gayles’ Songs from the Hole, Audience Award Winner for Visions at SXSW 2024, is a visual album composed behind bars. At 15, he took a life; three days later, his brother’s life was taken; now, he is an incarcerated musician who is struggling for healing and peace as he comes of age.
VIFF will screen six narrative, three documentary, and one animated shorts: director Andrew Saunderson’s Crows (West Coast Premiere); director Anthony Saxe’s Dissolution, Grand Jury Award Winner for Narrative Shorts at SXSW; director Àlex Lora’s The Masterpiece (La Gran Obra), Grand Jury Prize Winner for Best Short Film at Sundance 2024; directors Kerry Furrh and Olivia Mitchell’s Ripe!, Best Narrative Short Winner at Tribeca 2024; directors David and Sam Cutler-Kreutz’ Trapped, Special Jury Award Winner for Narrative Short at SXSW 2024; directors Matt Eastman and Karen Knox’s The Year of Staring at Noses, Audience Award Winner for Best Canadian Short at Calgary Underground Film Festival 2024; director Jack Dunphy’s Bob’s Funeral, Short Film Jury Award Winner for Non-Fiction at Sundance 2024; director Shuli Huang’s Goodbye First Love, World Premiered at Berlinale 2024; directors Shannet Clemmings and Ursa Kastelic’s Remember, Broken Crayons Colour Too, Special Jury Prize Winner for Best Documentary Short at Slamdance 2024; and director Nina Gantz’ Wander to Wonder, Grand Jury Award Winner for Animated Short at SXSW 2024.
There is also the newly introduced out-of-competition screening section Local Spotlight, which highlights films from the local community, including director Emily Moss Wilson’s feature film Inheritance (World Premiered at Dances With Films 2024), director Thomas Scott Stanton’s short film Mare (World Premiere), and production company Children of The Setting Sun’s television pilot The Sound(World Premiere). VIFF will also feature selections from its local short film competition shortCUTZ, sponsored by C’Mon Barber, owned and operated by islander Tara Morgan, which will compete for a year of free haircuts and passes to the Vashon Theatre.
In conclusion, Sayre says, “Our commitment at VIFF remains to quality, which I feel confident our program reflects. In this way, we are able to mirror the experience offered at major festivals. The difference is we do it in shorts and sweatpants instead of black tie attire—what you might call ‘island casual.’ On second thought, our commitment remains to quality and comfort.”
About Vashon Film Institute
Founded by veteran independent film producer and distribution executive Mark Mathias Sayre, the Vashon Film Institute is dedicated to fostering independent filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest, including the Vashon Island Film Festival; the Quartermaster Lab (“Qlab”), a collective of filmmaking programs; and VFIpresents, its production and release arm. Its Board of Directors presently includes five individuals with island roots: Eric Perley, Isaac Mann, Peter Serko, Jess Tilden, and Kim Voynar.
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Film festivals can’t happen without sponsors and VIFF urges acknowledgement and support of 2024 sponsors Caffe Vino Olio; Chubby Cat Cannabis; C’Mon Barber; and O Sole Mio.@VashonFilmFest on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter
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All photos provided by Vashon Island Film Festival
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