CASCADIA invites the public to celebrate the start of the festival at this year’s kick off party; Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 9 p.m. at Penny Farthing Restaurant and Bar in the Chuckanut Distillery (1309 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA.)
This is the festival's first time to host this event as a ticketed party. Directors will arrive from the Opening Night screening where they, along with the partygoers, will walk the red carpet into the restaurant venue. The party will bring together CASCADIA's visiting directors and special guests, board and audience members to compare notes and share thoughts about the opening night film, or film in general, while nibbling on yummy selections of late night appetizers catered by Penny Farthing and toasting the festival with a a glass of bubbly or French 75.
"There's always a lot to talk about after CASCADIA's films," says CASCADIA Executive Director Cheryl Crooks. "With this year's opening night party we're creating an opportunity to build community, connections and conversation for everyone who attends."
The Opening Night film is "Cinema Sabaya" directed by Orit Fouks Rotem and is a 91-minute feature. The film was Israel's entry as best foreign film for this year's Oscar. It tells the uplifting story, loosely based on the director's own experience, of a group of Arab and Jewish women who together attend a video workshop to learn filmmaking. “Cinema Sabaya” presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art’s capacity to unite disparate communities, moving effortlessly between the gravity of their conversations and the genuine joy of this unlikely group of friends.
Tickets to the film may be purchased individually at www.cascadiafilmfest.org for $15. Film admission is included in the Festival Passport or All Films Passes. Tickets for the party may also be bought individually and include admission, appetizers and the glass of French 75 or bubbly. In addition, Penny Farthing's bar will remain open should you wish to buy a mixed drink, wine, beer or cider.
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and showcasing the work of women filmmakers, was formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 2015. The organization also works year-round to provide film production, exhibition, and distribution education. More information about CASCADIA may be found on their website at www.cascadiafilmfest.org.
