Three more nights of screenings close inaugural Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest
October 21, 2026
By Reader Staff
The Sandpoint Idaho Film Festival will wrap its inaugural run on Saturday, Oct. 24, but not before hosting nearly 20 more screenings alongside Q&A sessions, raffles and an awards ceremony.
Programming began Oct. 17 with films and events at locations throughout Sandpoint and in Ponderay, and will continue Thursday, Oct. 22 with Caution: Terrain playing upstairs at Eichardt’s Pub (212 Cedar St.).
Produced by local skiers and filmmakers Cameron Hotchkiss and Essex Prescott, the short documentary was nominated for the Made in Idaho Award and features the Potato Boys spending a season exploring the North Idaho backcountry.
The film will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Q&A giving a sneak peak into how it was made.
Premiere Night on Friday, Oct. 23 moves to the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.), with eight selections showcasing some of the favorite films of the festival — ranging from dark comedy to action sports.
Entries include Bagelocalypse, nominated for Best Narrative Short; The Way it Was, nominated for Best Documentary Feature; Swabber and Trans-Taïga, both nominated for Best Documentary Short; and more.
Trans-Taïga, from filmmaker Alex Côté, centers on wildlife photographer Jean-Simon Bégin’s work in the wilderness of northern Quebec and will mark its U.S. premiere at the Oct. 23 screening.
A screenshot from Foil Guy vs Anvil. Courtesy image
Premiere Night also features a raffle, including the chance to win a snowboard from 7B Boardshop, as well as a short concluding Q&A.
Closing Night on Saturday, Oct. 24 will also take place at the Panida with 10 selections culminating the weeklong fest.
The program will again include a wide range of styles and subjects, such as Foil Guy vs ANVIL, nominated for Best Animation; Let My People Go Skiing, which racked up nominations for Best Documentary Short, Untamed Short, and Green Horizons/Voices For Change awards; Amazonicus and Heaven in a Wildflower, both nominated for Best Experimental; Constellationsof the Sea, nominated for Youth Works Award; and others, capped by a secret final film, to be announced.
On top of that, Closing Night will feature a silent auction for an unlimited 2026-’27 Schweitzer season pass and award celebrations.
Both Premiere and Closing nights run from 7-9 p.m., with $20 admission in advance or $25 at the door each night. Get advance tickets and learn more about all the films at panida.org or 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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