Washington’s most  unique film  festival rolls back into Oroville

OROVILLE – The sixth annual Tumbleweed Film Festival covers three nights of different short films from around the world starting Thursday, July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Over the three nights, which take place at four different venues around Oroville, 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. This year filmgoers will even have an opportunity to meet up with some of the festival’s filmmakers, who will be visiting the Okanogan from Los Angeles and Seattle.

Venues for this year’s festival include the Pastime Bar and Grill with Vicki’s Back Door Club, Esther Bricques Winery, Alpine Brewing and the Oroville High School Commons. 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 U.S., Spain, England, Portugal, France, Australia, Argentina and Kenya.

“Each evening’s short films program is as different as are the venues,” said Geoff Klein, Tumbleweed co-founder. “With films from around the world, audiences may virtually take a trip around the world each night.”

“Besides offering a great assortment of humorous and thought provoking films every night, each venue truly offers filmgoers a unique, fun movie experience,” said co-founder Maureen Fine.

This year Tumbleweed will kick off the film festival on Thursday, July 30 with a special opening night reception at the Pastime Bar and Grill. Following the reception, which includes an ample variety of appetizers, guests will enjoy a special screening of films at Vicki’s Back Door. Reception begins at 5 p.m., with films starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and may be reserved online at Tumbleweed (www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com/opening-night-party) or in-person at the Pastime Bar and Grill.

Also on Thursday, Tumbleweed brings Family Night films to the Oroville High School auditorium, 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 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or on the Tumbleweed website. Some free tickets to the July 30 Tumbleweed Film Festival family film night at will be available thanks to a donation by Reman and Reload. Tickets may be picked up at the Camaray Motel. For more information, go to www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com.

On Friday, July 31 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 some of the local wineries. Attendees may also enjoy a BBQ dinner for purchase on the patio featuring the official “Wurst of the Fest.”

“Many of our filmgoers are already looking forward to another fun event with Tumbleweed this year,” said Bart Traubeck, Alpine Brewing Company owner.

“They know it’s a nice combination of film festival and party here,” adds Traubeck. Doors open at 5 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. Attendees at this venue must be 21 or older. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or on Tumbleweed’s website.

Saturday, Aug. 1 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 offers a hot night in a cool setting, as they transform their winery production area into an air-conditioned, dark movie theater. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with live music on the patio performed by Mood Swings.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask some of the filmmakers questions, as a few directors of the films will be in attendance this evening. Directors include Los Angeles film director Ryan Moody, whose film “Obituaries” includes actor James Franco, Eastern Washington native Marcus McCollum (now residing in Los Angeles), who directed “Best Driver in the County” and Seattle documentary filmmaker Aimie Vallat, who directed “Present Moment.” Also in attendance will be Oroville local Brendan Biele, who was the music composer for “Best Driver in the County.”

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 five 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.

Doors open at 5 pm, and 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, please visit www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com or their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TumbleweedFilmFestival.