The second annual Leavenworth Film Festival begins this Saturday, April 5th, at 5:30pm at the Festhalle in downtown Leavenworth.  In addition to the main event on Saturday night, the festival has grown to include a filmmakers workshop on Sunday, April 6th, at 12pm at the Snowy Owl Theater.

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THE MAIN EVENT | Saturday April 5th at 5:30pm | Leavenworth Festhalle

Showcasing the best recent independent short films with a focus on outdoor recreation, the main event includes the top films in each category, an acrobatic and jaw-dropping half-time show, and an awards ceremony. There will be beer provided by Icicle Brewing Company, as well as wine and snacks for purchase during the event. Also included in this night of culture is a red carpet, free limousine rides, and flash photography of hired paparazzi. So “bust out your fancy” and prepare for the classiest party of the year!

Icicle TV and the Leavenworth Ski Hill Heritage Foundation (LSHHF) are proud to present this night of outdoor-focused adventure and documentary short films. Event proceeds will go to the LSHHF, a local 501 c3 non-profit organization that supports outdoor recreation opportunities in Leavenworth. This year, the LSHHF is helping to support the Ski Hill Memorial Project.

According to Shane Wilder, festival creator, “Our goal is to promote the great outdoors and the filmmakers who capture its beauty.  We will be highlighting the best short films, many of which focus on the great outdoors we have here in the Northwest.”  Films are limited to 15 minutes which provides a unique challenge to the filmmakers and provides for a lot of variety and action for the viewers, according to Wilder.

This year’s categories include Pacific Northwest, Outdoors Sports & Adventure, Documentary/Narrative, and Point-Of-View. A total of six awards will be handed out to the top filmmakers who are competing for over $6,000 in cash prizes and new this year, one of the Leavenworth Film Festival’s Golden Woody statues to prove their prowess in outdoor film making.

Tickets can be purchased online for $8 here, or for $12 at the door.

Watch the teaser video below to see clips from some of the films that will be shown at the main event on Saturday night!

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ADVENTURE FILMMAKER WORKSHOP | Sunday April 6th at 12pm | Snowy Owl Theater

As an addition to the Leavenworth Film Festival in 2014, adventure filmmaker and blogger Fitz Cahall of The Dirtbag Diaries will present seven tips that illuminate his process for creating adventure stories. Using a set of award-winning films, Cahall provides a road map for navigating the highs and lows of creative undertakings in far flung locales and backyard trails.

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“After years of seeing my favorite stories being passed over by traditional print media, I turned to the Internet, and created The Dirtbag Diaries. Amidst the tangled cords on the office floor and learning new software, I tapped into the passionate community of online storytellers. As The Diaries grew, so did my vision for the possibilities of new media. I realized that as creatives and companies we had the chance to rethink the kind of content we brought to our customers and fans. It’s a rare opportunity to help define an emerging media format.” from Fitz Cahall’s website, Duct Tape Then Beer.

A Seattle based filmmaker and writer, Cahall’s passion for climbing, skiing and being outside is fundamental to his creative endeavors. His work has been honored by the Banff Mountain Film Festival and enjoyed by millions around the world.  In 2008, he founded Duct Tape Then Beer with his partner and wife Becca Cahall.  Duct Tape Then Beer’s films won top honors at the inaugural Leavenworth Film Festival in 2013.

This workshop discussion is aimed at aspiring outdoor filmmakers, photographers and passionate outdoor people who are interested in sharing stories from adventures, whether they happen at the edges of the map or right in your backyard. The focus will be on the craft, thought process and basic elements of film making rather than technical specifications of cameras and gear.

Workshop tickets may be purchased online for $20 here, or at the door for $22.

We’ll see you this weekend!

Special “Thanks!” to our Gold Level Sponsors including Evo, Icicle Brewing Company, Icicle Creek Homes, Icicle Village Resort, Der Hinterhof Beer Garden, and JustDifferentials.com.

See the full list of sponsors at http://leavenworthfilmfestival.org/sponsors.