The curtain is about to rise on the long-awaited inaugural Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest, with a week of screenings and special events throughout town, culminating with an Audience Choice Award and secret closing-night film.
From Saturday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 24, movie lovers will have the opportunity to see flicks and celebrate at 11 venues over the course of the festival, beginning with the Hollywood-themed Opening Night Film Crawl starting at 5 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing Company (513 Oak St.).
Individual selections will also play multiple times at Utara Brewing Company (214 S. Pine St.), Pivo Peaks Alehouse (119 N. First Ave.), The Bank (105 S. First Ave.) and Idaho Pour Authority (203 Cedar St.) at 5:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The night ends with a 21+ afterparty featuring DJ Lady Oda from 7:15-8:30 p.m., one more movie at 8:30 p.m. and local band Glizi headlining from 9-11 p.m. at The Hive (207 N. First Ave.).
Day 2 on Sunday, Oct. 18 is the local Idaho Filmmaker Showcase, with 10 selections from 1-4 p.m. highlighting independent works by creators from around the state at the Panida Little Theater (300 N. First Ave.).
Various posters for films selected to screen at the inaugural Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest. Courtesy images
The Sandpoint Cinema Takeover follows on Monday, Oct. 19, with two feature-length films screening for $5 each from 5-8 p.m. at Sandpoint Cinemas (300 Bonner Mall Way, in Ponderay).
Get your ID out for R-Night on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when six of the festival’s slightly “more dark” entries will play to a 21+ crowd from 6-8 p.m. at IPA for a $5 suggested donation.
A documentary on activist Sally Gearhart will screen Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Heartwood Center (615 Oak St.). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is $10. The short documentary Caution: Terrain — nominated for the Made in Idaho Award and focused on backcountry adventure — is on the schedule from 6:30-8 p.m. upstairs at Eichardt’s Pub (212 Cedar St.).
The final two nights of the festival will center on the Panida Theater, with a Friday, Oct. 23 showcase of favorite entries ranging from dark comedy to action sports, along with a raffle for a snowboard from 7B Boardshop and more. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, with the program running from 7-9 p.m.
The finale will also run 7-9 p.m. for $20 advance and $25 at the door of the Panida, with yet more screenings — including a mystery final entry — award celebrations and a silent auction for an unlimited 2026-’27 Schweitzer season pass.
Festival programs have been distributed at locations throughout Sandpoint, including Eichardt’s, Matchwood, Pivo Peaks, Evans Brothers, IPA, Utara, The Bank, MickDuff’s, Outdoor Experience, Alpine Shop, Sandpoint Cinemas, WinterRidge and 7B Boardshop, including full details on films and QR codes for ticket purchases and to vote for their favorites throughout the festival. Those votes will decide the festival’s Audience Choice Award, which will be presented on the final day of the festival.
A new film scholarship has been launched following the success of the Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest’s fundraise, and all fest-related info is available at sandpointidahofilmfest.org.
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Sandpoint in Pictures
Filmmaker Jimmy Matlosz of the Idaho Film Company has made a series of mini documentaries about influential Sandpoint locals, including the late Dann Hall and Erik Daarstad as well as icons Diane Michaels and Dan Shook. He is currently working on a series of interviews connected to the history of the Panida Theater. Jimmy is a 30-year veteran filmmaker who's work can be seen at dpmatlosz.com.
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Ever wonder who makes the Reader happen? Here's a behind-the-scenes look pieced together by summer 2017 intern McCalee Cain in which Ben, Cameron and Lyndsie explain what exactly about the Reader keeps them coming back to their shabby (but well-loved) office each week.
