Watching short films at Esther Bricques, one of the original venues of the Tumbleweed Film Festival. This year’s films will be shown there on Saturday. The event begins on Wednesday at Vicki’s Back Door, then moves to the Oroville High School Commons on Thursday and Alpine Brewery on Friday. Gary DeVon/file photo

“A great assortment of humorous and thought-provoking films.” Mo Fine, Founder, Tumbleweed Film Festival

“Each evening’s short films program is different as are the venues.” Geoff Klein, Founder, Tumbleweed Film Festival

OROVILLE – Washington’s most unique film festival takes place right in Oroville, Wash. The 5th annual Tumbleweed Film Festival (TwFF) is back in town with its biggest fest ever, covering four nights of different short films from this Wednesday, July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 2. Over the four nights, which take place at four different venues around Oroville, over 40 American and international short films will be presented.

What sets Tumbleweed apart from other film festivals is how the festival turns wineries, bars, restaurants or resorts into theaters for a night. Attendees will also enjoy a film experience very different from that of a typical movie theater. At most of Tumbleweed’s venues filmgoers may sample local wines, beers and cuisine while they watch entertaining short films from around the world. Filmgoers will even have an opportunity to meet up with some festival’s filmmakers.

Venues for this year’s festival include the Pastime Bar and Grill, Esther Bricques Winery, Alpine Brewing and the Oroville High School auditorium. Each evening will feature different films, and the festival line-up is always comprised of a mix of comedies, dramas, documentaries and animation. This year’s offerings include films from the US, Spain, England, Germany, France, Ireland, Denmark and Canada.

“Each evenings short films program is as different as are the venues,” said Geoff Klein, Tumbleweed co-founder.

“Watching the films at each of the venues really makes for a completely fun movie experience,” he adds.

“And each venue offers a great assortment of both humorous and thought-provoking films,” said co-founder Mo Fine. “People may check out each night’s film event on our website at www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com.”

This year Tumbleweed will kick off the film festival on Wednesday, July 30 with a special opening night reception at the Pastime Bar and Grill, which is creating a unique menu of delicious small bites. Following the reception, guests will enjoy a special screening of films with popcorn at Vicki’s Back Door. Films include audience favorites from the 2013 film festival, as well a few fan favorites from previous years.

“We’re glad to be the place where Tumbleweed kicks off again this year. This festival is important helps the economy and brings visitors to Oroville that we would not otherwise attract,” said Pastime Bar & Grill owner Victoria Hinze, who also believes it is vital to have more Tumbleweed venues throughout Oroville.

“We think we’ve found just the right venue to show films after the Pastime party, up Main Street at Vicki’s Back Door, continuing the Festival’s tradition of showing films in unconventional settings and spreading venues all over town.”

The reception begins at 5 p.m. with films starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and may be reserved online at Tumbleweed or in-person at the Pastime Bar and Grill.

On Thursday, July 31, Tumbleweed brings Family Night films to the Oroville High School Commons, which offers a cool, comfortable theater setting from which to enjoy short films that both kids and adults will enjoy. These films will include action adventures, funny cartoons and even a love story. Movies start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or on the Tumbleweed website.

On Friday, Aug. 1 it is “Beers, Brats and Short Films” at the Alpine Brewing Company, where attendees may sample hand-crafted German style beers or taste wines from four local wineries. Attendees may also enjoy a BBQ dinner for purchase on the patio featuring the official “Wurst of the Fest”. “It’s going to be another fun event with Tumbleweed this year,” said Bart Traubeck, Alpine Brewing Co. owner. “It’s always a nice combination of film festival and party here.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or on Tumbleweed’s website.

Saturday, Aug. 2 brings “Movies in the Vineyard” back to the Esther Bricques Winery, which hosts a special night of wines, award winning films and live music. Once again, Esther Bricques has transformed their winery production area into a cool, dark movie theater. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with live music on the patio performed by Sandy Vaughn, of Chesaw, WA, who plays folk, blues and indie songs.

Besides tastings in the winery’s tasting room, light appetizers and wines by the glass or bottle are available for purchase.

“We’re excited once again to host Tumbleweed and expect our attendees to be as pleased with this year’s selection of films that Mo and Geoff programmed for our winery as they have the past four years,” said Linda Colvin of Esther Bricques Winery.

“The arts are indeed alive in the Okanogan! We hope that each year more people in the area will take the opportunity to a part of this magical evening and that this year’s fest is the best ever,” adds Colvin.

Films start at 7 p.m. Attendees under age 21 are welcome. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or online at Tumbleweed’s website,

Tumbleweed Film Festival is a Washington-based non-profit organization committed to bringing the art of storytelling through filmmaking to communities in Washington and British Columbia. For more details about the annual festival including trailers and venues as well as TwFF’s on-going “Best of Fest” events, visit www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com or the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TumbleweedFilmFestival.