The second annual Reel Peach Fest film festival is returning to Penticton this year and organizers are calling on filmmakers — professional and amateur — to enter their work.
The film fest, which is part of the Penticton Peach Festival, is to run Aug. 3 to 7 at Peters Brothers main stage in Okanagan Lake Park.
Films will once again run before the main act gets on stage at 9:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Reel Peach Festival website.
"Last year the concept was very popular and well received,” Peach Festival president Don Kendall said. “The event expands entertainment value and diversity to help grow our signature festival in Penticton."
Organizers expect about 5,000 people to gather around the giant screen, set up by Tim Hortons.
Filmmakers can submit one- to three-minute commercials or short films in one of two categories.
The first category, Liquid Libations, welcomes any commercial or short film showcasing Okanagan wine, craft beer, distillery, cidery or juice soda.
The second category is Okanagan Experience, which calls commercials and short films highlighting what the Okanagan has to offer, whether it be arts, culture or tourism.
The winner will receive $1,000, second place will get $500, third will take home $250 and the winner of the Fan’s Choice award will get $500 for their submission.
Organizer Andrew Jakubeit said they hope to see more entries this year than the last, considering the large audience, the exposure on social media and the prizes.
“We have a very creative collective in the Okanagan. We want to build off of the momentum and energy from last year’s submissions and take it up a notch,” he said. "We live in such a beautiful area with multiple offerings and experiences off the beaten path.
"We are looking for more than a few pretty pictures strung together…there should be visuals that entertain and creatively tell a story about the Okanagan that evokes community pride, call to action or an emotional response.”
Submissions will be used by the event sponsor, Tourism Penticton, for promotional purposes.
Festival entry deadline will be July 31. For more information, visit the film festival website.
