The Auburn Adventure Film Festival, led by acclaimed film writer and director Warren Etheredge and hosted by the City of Auburn Tourism Division, has unveiled its official program selections and paired adventure experiences for the festival’s inaugural event, taking place January 18-20.
Unlike traditional festivals, the Auburn event centers around themes and pairs each grouping of films with hands-on adventures for the audience to participate in. Themes for this year’s festival include ski, surf, bike, mountain, culinary, ice, skate, family and child play adventures.
The opening night gala begins at 7 p.m. with the theme of “Ski Adventure,” followed by a reception at Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro.
“We want folks to make memories in addition to seeing movies. No festival has ever undertaken such an adventure, yet this seems perfectly in the spirit of Auburn, a city where fun of all sorts is within walking distance and new experiences create richer lives,” Etheredge said.
Admission is $15 for the opening night film, or $75 for a festival film pass. Available at auburnadventurefilmfestival.org.
FILM LINEUPS AND ADVENTURES
Friday, January 18
7 PM – Ski Adventure – Opening Night Gala
Once you’ve reached the top, it’s all downhill from there. For skiers, of course, this is great news, whether they’ve just gotten off a lift, left the starting gate or jumped from a helicopter. The thrill is in the descent — fast, frantic, potentially fatal, yet just plain fun. In this jaw-dropping program of films, you’ll meet a man who literally skis around the world, a Frenchman who traverses unusual slopes, a trio of pros who overcome some steep fears and awful injuries, proving black diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Film ticket includes entry to Opening Night Reception at Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro. 
70-SOME YEARS (d. Riley Hooper) 5:33
2.5 MILLION (d. Tyler Wilkinson-Ray) 22:01
LEAF SKIING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE (d. RadCow1) 1:32
SKI PHOTOGRAPHER (d. Frank Pickell) 8:50
FINDING THE LINE (d. Bjarne Salén) 52:00
QUATTRO 2 (d. Candide Thovex) 4:28
9 PM – Opening Night Reception at Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro
The best part of skiing is the nightly retreat to the lodge. So, to celebrate the launch of the Auburn Adventure Film Festival, we invite you to join us for the apres-ski, featuring delicious bites and warming drinks sponsored by Vinifera, a local favorite voted Best New Business, Best Dinner, and Best Happy Hour! The perfect way to end a night with your fellow ski bums, ski bunnies, and movie-lovers.
Saturday, January 19
FAMILY ADVENTURE
10 AM – Film Screenings
In the spirit of old-school board games, we promise a program fit for ages 8 to 88. This collection of shorts — live-action, animation and documentaries — is fun for the whole family, even if sometimes at the grown-ups’ expense. You’ll see stories of aspiring astronauts, perspiring snowballers, inspiring nomads and retiring homebodies, plus a girl who dives deep and kids who commune with nature, an insatiable chameleon, lemurs in love and one exotic animal that will simply stun you. Further proof that the very best entertainment is … child’s play.
TO THE TOP (d. Ryan Bouman) 5:33
SCRAMBLED (d. Bastiaan Schravendeel) 6:16
KNOW A WHALE (d. Everfresh) 2:39
SEA TURLE (d. Johannes Stötter) 0:40
OUR WONDERFUL NATURE: THE COMMON CHAMELEON (d. Tomer Eshed) 3:32
ONE SMALL STEP (d. Bobby Pontillas, Andrew Chesworth) 7:40
ONLY SLIGHTLY EXAGGERATED (d. Sun Creature Studio) 1:30
7 PLANETS (d. Milda Baginskaite) 6:07
BOY NOMAD (d. Niobe Thompson) 20:56
COWGIRL UP (d. Nathan Willis) 5:17
TWO BALLOONS (d. Mark Smith) 9:08
SURF ADVENTURE
1 PM — Film Screenings
For those who love the surf, joy comes in waves. Watching these films, it becomes clear why.Life’s a beach for these women and men: a genre-defying photographer who sees waters in a new light, an artist who paints what he sees every day, another who captures her therapeutic visions on canvas, New Yorkers who catch winter waves and a celebrated clique of pros who risk their limbs, lives and livelihoods in pursuit of the perfect break.
THE OCEAN DOESN’T CARE (d. Mikey deTemple) 6:35
PHTALO BLUE (d. Jules Renault) 6:21
WATER II (d. Morgan Maasen) 4:57
SURFACE (d. John Rodosky) 7:07
EMOCEAN (d. Tony Harrington) 1:03:05
BIKE ADVENTURE
4 PM – Film Screenings
Many compare all things simple to riding a bicycle, and while it’s true, the basics of riding a bike may be easy to remember, but the adventures we enjoy on two wheels are often unforgettable. In this program, we’ll meet a Nepalese kid who built his own cycle to become one of the world’s fastest, an octogenarian who’ll never dismount, an animated father who teaches his daughter how to ride, a father and son who bond during a two-wheeled road trip, two buddies who might wish they’d never biked together and a squadron of pros enduring a trans-Peru ultra-marathon.
RJ RIPPER (d. Joey Schusler) 19:25
IF YOU FALL (d. Tisha Deb Pallai) 6:04
THE ROAD BETWEEN US (d. Katherine Roselli, Joanne Feinberg) 14:13
THE CLIMB (d. Michael Covino) 7:23
INCA DIVIDE (d. Anthony Gordon) 27:48
THE FRENCHY (d. Michelle Smith) 14:19
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
7 PM – Film Screenings
Photo by Jessica LaVoie
Because they’re there, we climb them. Mountains have a certain pull, an attraction that’s almost irresistible. We’ll see a mother and daughter venture out on an epic trek, two pros face their worst fears while climbing, high-liners conquer theirs and another animated explorer who longs to set the hills alive with music or, at least, his own special song.
WAVE HANDS LIKE CLOUDS (d. Marga Laube) 2:40
*World Premiere – filmmakers in attendance*
BALANCE (d. Mark Ram) 10:50
THE CLIMB (d. Preston Gibson, Alex Deaton) 1:02
THIS MOUNTAIN LIFE (d. Grant Baldwin) 1:17:25
9-10:30 PM Night at the Museum
Museums are experiential playgrounds — the perfect places to let your mind explore the unknown, to experience the unfamiliar. Following a line-up of breath-taking mountain movies, you’ll be introduced to the spectacular (and rarely-exhibited) photography of George L. Kinkade. Join us for this exclusive after-hours tour and a hosted reception at the White River Valley Museum, provided by both the Exhibit Curator and Museum’s Director. Sponsored by Tin Cup Whiskey.
Sunday, January 20
CULINARY ADVENTURE
10 AM — Film Screenings
If you live to eat — rather than eat to live — this is the cinematic smorgasbord for you. Food is a daily adventure, especially for those with daring palates, open minds, and some air miles. Travel around the world for a taste of different cultures courtesy of some of the most committed and most decorated chefs, from the Syrian refugee who runs “The Nicest Place In America” to the Austrian exec who raises truly slow food, to the maverick pasta savant who educates diners one hand-made dish at a time.
YASSIN FALAFEL (d. Mohammed Gorjestani) 8:40
VERRUCKT: THE SNAIL FARMER OF VIENNA (d. Kevin Longa) 4:26
FUNKE (d. Gab Taraboulsy) 90:00
NOON-1:30 PM — LUNCH AT GOR GAI THAI
After a morning of mouth-watering movies, it’s only fair we offer you lunch. Join us for an exclusive and irresistible buffet of authentic Thai street food and uncommon delicacies brought to you by Gor Gai Thai, the renowned local culinary gem. Normally closed on Sundays, Gor Gai Thai will open its doors and you will be welcomed by the chef-owner for a scrumptious feast sure to chase away any winter chill. Cost: $20 per person includes lunch, one non-alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity. Space is limited to 30 culinary enthusiasts.
SPIRIT ADVENTURE
1pm – Film Screenings
The Push is an inspirational documentary about the power of never giving up. Grant Korgan is a world-class adventurer, nano-mechanics professional, and husband. On March 5, 2010, while filming a snowmobiling segment in the Sierra Nevada backcountry, the Lake Tahoe native burst-fractured his L1 vertebrae, and suddenly added the world of spinal cord injury recovery to his list of pursuits.
On January 17, 2012, along with two seasoned explorers, Grant attempted the insurmountable and became the first spinal cord injured athlete to literally PUSH himself ~nearly 100 miles (the final degree of latitude) to the most inhospitable place on the planet – the bottom of the globe, the geographic South Pole.
Grant and his guides reached their destination on the 100th anniversary of the first explorers to travel to the South Pole. Facing brutal elements, demanding topography and presumed physical limitations are just some of the challenges they faced along the journey. With this inspirational documentary, The Push team hopes to inspire people in all walks of life to achieve the seemingly insurmountable in their life, to push their own everyday limits, and to live their ultimate potential.
Films, Directors and Running Times (in minutes)
EDGES (d. Katie Stjernholm) 9:26
THE PUSH (d. Grant Korgan) 84:00
Admission: $10 or get a Film Festival Pass for $75 which gets you access to all films during the festival weekend. All sales are final. There are no refunds, no exchanges possible.
FUN AND GAMES ADVENTURE
4pm – Film Screenings
The secret to staying young is playing young, Just because you’ve grown up doesn’t mean you ought to give up the games that always brought you joy. So, give your inner child a nudge, remind them how much fun it is to play table tennis or basketball, whenever, wherever. Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or an amateur, we should all play for love of the game — even if our identities or our nation’s depend on mailing that last shot.
Films, Directors and Running Times (in minutes)
GAME (d. Jeannie Donohoe) — 15:53
THE TABLES (d. Jon Bunning) — 15:01
ON THE MAP (d. Dani Menken) — 1:25:00
SKATE ADVENTURE
7 PM — Film Screenings and closing night gala
More than 11 million people still enjoy roller-skating, so where’s the love? Better yet, where are the rinks? Well, Auburn Sk8 still gives folks a chance to get down, get groovy for a wheel good time six days a week. After a special screening of an award-winning doc about the pleasures and impact of roller-dancing and a few shorts chronicling the joys of skateboarding in Paris and St. Louis to get things rolling, prepare to skate the night away with some celebrity guests and other surprises.
SANCTUARY (d. Ashley Seering) 7:53
AROUND THE BLOCK (d. Tristan Helias & Killian Lassabliere) 2:13
ROLLER DREAMS (d. Kate Hickey) 81:00
9 PM — Super Skate Derby Closing Party at Auburn SK8
Skate, dance, schmooze the night away at Auburn SK8. Take it easy or test yourself alongside the all-pro Dockyard Derby Dames, who will also provide a tantalizing demo of their bloodsport … just for fun. Eats and treats served. It’s closing night, all, let’s roll! Cost: $9 per person.
About Auburn Film Festival Director Warren Etheredge:
Warren Etheredge has worked on the film festival circuit for 20 years. He got his start during a 3-year stint with the Seattle International Film Festival, then went on to serve as the Curator & Director of the 1 Reel Film Festival (at Bumbershoot) for six years — which, during his tenure, was the best-attended celebration of short films in the nation. In 2017, along with his partner Nancy Dragun, he launched the Walla Walla Movie Crush, America’s most intoxicating blend of shorts, staged every July at the historic Gesa Power House Theatre. Additionally, Warren has been with the Rainier Independent Film Festival since its inception and is a fixture at the Ashland Independent Film Festival. At both, he assumes many roles as an interviewer, screening host, workshop facilitator, programming consultant and awards ceremony emcee. Warren has also staged/hosted events at Sundance, SXSW, Port Townsend, Bend, and other well-known festivals.
About the City of Auburn:
Today’s Auburn is the perfect mix of a modern city and rich, historic charm, with roots dating back to the 1850s. Auburn began as a small farming settlement nestled in a fertile valley and quickly became a Pacific Northwest commerce center. Exploring Auburn takes you through unique and special entertainment experiences afforded by Emerald Downs, White River Amphitheater, Muckleshoot Casino, The Outlet Collection, and nearby, Pacific Raceways. Affectionately known as the gateway to Mt. Rainier, Auburn offers everything for the outdoor enthusiast including bike trails, golf courses, fishing areas, and an extensive parks and trails system. Historical attractions such as the White River Valley Museum, Mary Olson Farm and Neely Mansion also allow you to get in touch with Auburn’s charming colonial heritage.
Auburn’s downtown is filled with repurposed brick buildings from its early days and has been revitalized to showcase its pioneer heritage with an emphasis on early 1900s architecture. Today, downtown Auburn provides a gathering place for large-scale events such as our nationally renowned Veterans’ Day Parade, the largest parade celebration west of the Mississippi River.
auburnadventurefilmfestival.org
The above information provided by the City of Auburn. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents.
Updated: January 18, 2019 10:40AM
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