STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Sun Valley Film Festival has been named one of “ten amazing film festivals worth traveling for,” according to USA Today.
The nation’s newspaper praised the festival and others for its great location, in addition to its thought-provoking and dynamic movies.
“This intimate festival in Idaho celebrates the art of filmmaking with its mission of empowering independent filmmakers to share stories that inspire change,” the article said. “This spring SVFF will present more than 60 cutting-edge films and TV premieres; Coffee Talks with industry leaders, panels, labs and workshops led by award-winning filmmakers, and plenty of parties and awards. Past guests include Gwyneth Paltrow, Clint Eastwood and Oliver Stone.
“While you’re there,” the article added, “Stargaze at the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first in the country to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association.”
For devotees of travel and movies, film festivals are ideal destinations, said Jennifer Merin, president of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, in the article: “You get to watch films you might not be able to see at home, some of which might even suggest alluring destinations for future travel.”
Others making the list:
The Palm Springs International Film Festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.
The True/False Film Fest, which champions cutting-edge nonfiction documentary filmmaking in Columbia, Mo., during the month of February.
April’s RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C. , which is one of the fastest growing regional film festivals in the country.
June’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, the longest continually running film festival with six decades on its screens.
St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival/Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the longest running women’s film festivals in the world, celebrating its 30th anniversary in October.
AFI FEST in Los Angeles, a program of the American Film Institute, is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for Short Film categories for the Academy Awards. The November festival is free to the public.
Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival in November screens hundreds of features and shorts from around the world.
And, finally, the Whistler Film Festival, which has established a track record for launching new films and filmmakers during the month of December.
This year’s Sun Valley Film Festival will be held March 13 through 17. For tickets, visit www.sunvalleyfilmfestival.org.