Sing-alongs to silent movies to gourmet dinners, Prescott Film Festival Offers Moviedom Variety
by Helen Stephenson, Executive Director and Founder, Prescott Film Festival
The 10th annual Prescott Film Festival opens June 7 with the Prescott-produced film “Wish Man.” (See facing page for details.) Frank Shankwitz and his wife Kitty are scheduled to attend for a Q&A after the film. Get your tickets early as this is expected to sell out.
The Prescott Film Festival is as unique as our hometown. Marvelous films (of course) but also special events and workshop/film talk experiences.
This year we are featuring two gourmet dinners with a movie opportunities. The first is June 10 at 5:30 p.m. We will feature a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Robert Barr of the Sedona Culinary School of Yavapai College paired with multiple wines from the Southwest Wine Center of Yavapai College. Includes ticket to the film “Olympia.” “Olympia” is a beautiful film that offers insightful humor and artistic creativity wrapped around a compelling story.
June 12 at 5:30 p.m. is the second gourmet dinner. This one will be prepared by El Gato Azul. Following an amazing dinner, join us for the new film, “Ruben Brandt, Collector.”
This fast-paced animated heist film, (rated R) is incredibly creative. Four expert thieves attempt to steal every famous artwork haunting their mutual psychotherapist. Whether you are a fan of art, animation or heist films, you do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind film.
The festival is bringing two musical events to the community. On June 15, we will present Silent Symphony featuring the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra from Colorado to accompany the classic silent Buster Keaton comedy, “The General.” For over 25 years, Mont Alto has been delighting audiences across the country from Lincoln Center to the Telluride Film Festival and beyond. Musicians are known for their authentic photoplay style, which allows the music to speak for the film, just as music did over a century ago when films were not “talkies.”
Preceding the Silent Symphony at 5:30 p.m., is Spirits of Arizona in the Garden. The event, in the Yavapai College Sculpture Garden, will offer four tastings of local beers, wines and spirits paired with foods from Lucky’s Barbecue and Panera along with music from The Ping Brothers. Tickets include a reserved seat for the Silent Symphony event at 7 p.m.
The second musical event is “The Sound of Music” Sing-A-Long. Get ready to yodel Prescott! This is your chance to experience one of the funniest, most liberating outings you will have for a long time.
Sing-A-Long “Sound of Music” is not just a chance to see the classic movie on the big screen in magnificent Technicolor, it’s a major audience participation event with subtitles for all the songs. Come dressed as your favorite character, sing along with Julie and join in earnest choruses of “My Favorite Things!” Kym Karath, (the actress who played Gretl) is scheduled to attend.
There will also be free workshops, an outdoor screening and Platinum Pass Perks.