OROVILLE – Over four nights, Washington’s most unique film festival takes place, bringing 40 entertaining short films from around the world to Oroville. From July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 2 , the fifth annual Tumbleweed Film Festival comes back to town, turning four venues into theaters for a night.

Each evening attendees will watch different films each night. At most of Tumbleweed’s venues, filmgoers may sample local wines, beers and cuisine while they watch comedies, dramas, documentaries and animation. Venues for this year’s festival include the Pastime Bar and Grill (Wednesday, July 30), Oroville High School (Thursday, July 31), Alpine Brewing (Friday, Aug. 1) and Esther Bricques Winery (Saturday, Aug. 2).

“Each Tumbleweed venue is as entertaining and unique as are the films we show,” said Geoff Klein, Tumbleweed co-founder.

“And each venue offers a great assortment of both humorous and thought-provoking films,” said co-founder Mo Fine.

The film festival kicked off on Wednesday, with a special opening night reception at the Pastime Bar and Grill followed by a private screening at Vicki’s Back Door.

On Thursday, 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 pm. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or on the Tumbleweed website.

On Friday, 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 Company owner.

“It’s always 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 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, who plays many original 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, as is desert during intermission.

“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.

For the founders of the Tumbleweed Film Festival it’s all about bringing a worthwhile cultural experience to the community.

“We’re looking forward to seeing our repeat fans as well as film goers new to the Tumbleweed experience,” said Klein. “This year’s film festival really couldn’t take place without support of our venues, our ambassador Sandy Lorentzen and our sponsors, which include Kinross, the Pastime Bar and Grill, CancerIS, Hometown Pizza, the Camaray and the Oroville Chamber of Commerce and the Gazette-Tribune.”

For more details on each evening’s film showings and venues, please visit www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com.

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.