DATE: 4/12/07
Festival dates coincide with reopening of Paradise entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.< /p>
MT. RAINIER, Wash. – April 11, 2007 – The Rainier Independent Film Festival will screen more than 35 films in and near Ashford on May 4, 5 and 6, 2007, coinciding with the planned re-opening of the road to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. In addition to the screenings animated, narrative, documentary and feature films, workshops, intimate gatherings, panels and an awards ceremony are scheduled for this compelling first-year festival.< /p>
Highlights of the festival include the following:< /p>
- Screening of BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA, May 5, 11:30AM, the Yurt at Wellspring, a 30-minute short narrative and Academy Award Nominee for 2007, directed by Javier Fesser;< /li>
- An Opening Night Gala starting at 6PM on Friday, May 4, at the Mineral Lake Event Center including a screening of EXPIRATION DATE a four time Festival Audience Award film that was shot in Seattle;< /li>
- A screening of an inspiring father /son journey captured in FINDING KRAFTLAND, May 5, 6:30PM, Mineral Lake Event Center, a 75-minute documentary by Adam Shell and Richard Kraft, as well as the opportunity to meet the director and cast;< /li>
- Post production workshop by Modern Digital, May 5, 3 to 5PM, Mineral Lake Event Center;< /li>
- Screenwriting through Character workshop taught by Warren Etheredge, of the warrenreport.com, May 6, 1PM, Mineral Lake Event Center;< /li>
- Women in Film panel discussion on film industry in the Pacific Northwest, May 5, 11AM, Mineral Lake Event Center.< /li>< /ul>
For more information as well as a full screening schedule, please access http: / /www.rainierfilmfest.com< /a>. < ?=$gigo->img( images /icon_externalURL.gif )?>< /p>
A pass to all screenings, workshops and receptions for all three days is $50. A day-pass for all screenings and workshops on Saturday or Sunday is $20. A ticket to the festival launch on Friday including two free drinks is $15. Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets (http: / /www.brownpapertickets.com /event /13930) and at Whittaker Mountaineering and Bunkhouse, Ashford, Capital Hill Arts Center in Seattle, and the Silver Platter Records stores at Crossroads Mall, Bellevue and at South Sound Center in Tukwila. A ticket for a single screening or workshop is $6 and can be purchased at any of the three screening venues or online.< /p>
The Rainier Independent Film Festival is dedicated to providing truly independent filmmakers a venue to have their films screened. Nestled in the tranquil foothills surrounding Mt. Rainier, the Ashford Valley provides the perfect setting for the first annual RIFF. Screening venues range from a yurt to a 1920s historical school with a capacity of up to 300 people.< /p>
The mix of films and workshops in a laid-back setting sets this festival apart, noted Win Whittaker, festival organizer. It provides a great opportunity to meet and mingle with film industry people away from the typical hustle and bustle associated with the business. < /p>
Weather permitting, the Nisqually /Paradise entrance to Mount Rainier National Park accessed through Ashford is expected to open on May 1, with the Stevens Canyon entrance slated to open on May 18. Entrances to the park have been closed due to flooding in November. Expected opening for Chinook Pass is May 18. The road from Paradise to Reflection Lakes is scheduled to open on May 25 and by June 15 the road to Sunrise should be cleared of this winter’s heavy snowfall.< /p>
With the 14,411-foot summit of Mt. Rainier as its focal point, the Mt. Rainier region offers world-class recreation and mountain vacation opportunities in secluded alpine settings, year round. Visitors are drawn to its spectacular scenic vistas and varied terrain — preserved by one of the nation’s original five national parks and surrounding wilderness areas. The Mt. Rainier region’s 2,800 some square miles are dotted with mountain communities offering lodging, restaurants, shopping, outfitters, and more as well as ski areas, SnoParks, wildlife parks, national forests, and scenic byways. For destination information on the Northwest’s most recognized natural icon, please access visitrainier.com.< /p>
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Screenings for media can be arranged prior to the festival. Please contact Win Whittaker at 253.370.3520 or by email at [email protected]< /a>. Full press kits of each film are also available upon request. Also contact Win or Sarah for a media pass to the festival.< /p>
MEDIA CONTACT: Carol Zahorsky
Public Relations for Visit Rainier
360.446.3645
visitrainier.com< /p>
