Polson’s 12th annual FLIC film festival is Feb. 16-18
courtesy photo
courtesy photo
Canadian-made musical “Les Filles du Roi” tells the story of a young Mohawk girl, Kateri, and her brother Jean-Baptiste.
courtesy photo
The history of the Montana Shamrockers will be part of a documentary short by FLIC veteran filmmaker Jim Ereaux’s “20 Shades of Green.”
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POLSON — Now in its 12th year, the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) screens full-length narrative and documentary features, shorts, animation, and student films. FLIC 2024 once again offers a diverse selection of domestic and international films, featuring entries from 12 countries as well as many homegrown Montana films. FLIC 2024 occurs the weekend of Feb. 16-18, at the Showboat Stadium 6, 416 Main Street, Polson.
Dozens of filmmakers plan to travel to Polson to participate in the festival in person this year. FLIC is known for its local audience that enthusiastically supports independent films and those who produce them. Spirited discussions between audience members and filmmakers cap off most screening blocks, and friendships take root between screenings as film lovers from across the globe converge to connect over their mutual love of independent cinema.
FLIC 2024 gets underway at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16th with the second annual “Taste of Polson” gathering in the lobby of the Showboat Stadium 6. As with last year, many of Polson’s local eateries will offer samples of their food fare as filmmakers and FLIC attendees mingle. FLIC screenings then commence at 6 p.m. on multiple Showboat Stadium 6 screens.
On Saturday, Feb. 17th, at 9:30 a.m., FLIC and the Polson Rotary Club offer their traditional free animated children’s film and egg burrito breakfast. This year’s film is The Super Marios Bros. Movie. The Polson Rotary Club will serve breakfast in the threatre lobby beginning at 9:15 a.m. Festival film screenings then resume at 12:15 p.m. and continue on multiple screens into the evening. There will be a break in screenings from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for an informal filmmaker/attendee at the Cove Deli & Pizza, located at 11 3rd Avenue West, Polson.
FLIC’s judges enjoy discovering each year’s unique standouts. Included among them this year is a Canadian-made musical called “Les Filles du Roi,” which tells the story of a young Mohawk girl, Kateri, and her brother Jean-Baptiste, whose lives are disrupted upon the arrival of Les Filles du Roi in 1665 “New France.”
Kateri and Jean-Baptiste forge an unlikely relationship with young fille Marie-Jean Lespérance – whose dream of a new life is more complicated than she could have imagined. FLIC Director David W. King shares, “The storyline can be puzzling in print, but this film’s narrative and music soar.” One FLIC judge wrote, “Certainly in a class by itself! I loved and appreciated the work that went into producing this film ... the composition of the music (which was complex at times), coordinating it with the individual and ensemble performances, costumes, sets, lighting...it had it all.” Les Filles du Roi screens at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17th.
FLIC 2024 also features a full slate of exceptional Montana-made films. One documentary short of note is FLIC veteran filmmaker Jim Ereaux’s “20 Shades of Green,” which explores the history and music of the Montana Shamrockers, an eccentric and funny bunch of characters who like to sing Irish songs. Interviews, rehearsals and performances lend a unique perspective to the one-of-a-kind, Polson-based band. The Montana Shamrockers will be in attendance at their 2:30 screening on Saturday, Feb. 17th. Following Saturday’s FLIC screenings, the band will perform at 9:30 p.m. at The Durham in Polson, located at 49494 US-93.
On Sunday morning, Feb. 18th at 9:30 a.m., The Good Coffee Roasting Company, 214 Main Street, Polson, hosts a light breakfast mixer for filmmakers and festival attendees. A wide variety of drinks and delicious fresh baked food will be available to purchase.
The FLIC 2024 weekend draws to a festive close with an awards ceremony and dessert reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the theatre. The Audience Award will also be given to the FLIC audience’s overall favorite film. Attendance is free and open to the public.
If you miss FLIC weekend, the Showboat Stadium 6 is hosting encore screenings from 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 through Thursday evening, Feb. 22.
All films, times and events are subject to change. In mid-January, the FLIC 2024 screening schedule will be available to view at FLICPolson.com, where festival passes may also be purchased. FLIC is also on Facebook, where information is updated regularly. Email: contact@flicpolson.com.
