Okanagan filmmakers are going to have a chance to show their skills at this year’s Peach Festival.
The ReelPeachFest is a new event coming to Peach Festival this August at the Peters Brothers main stage in Okanagan Lake Park.
“Each night before the main act plays at 9:30 p.m. we have a space to fill as the stage gets set up. It is too dark and crowded to have other entertainment,” said Don Kendall, Peachfest president. “We are excited to add another event that expands entertainment value and diversity to help grow our signature festival in Penticton.”
The ReelPeachfest aims to fill that gap in the Peachfest entertainment schedule by screening the work of local filmmakers on the big screen and engaging the thousands of people waiting in Okanagan Lake Park for the next act to begin.
Filmmakers can submit one to three minute commercials or short films in one of two categories: Liquid Libations, for any commercial or film short concerning Okanagan wine, craft beer, distillery, cidery, juice or soda; and Okanagan Experience, for any commercial or film short showcasing an Okanagan experience like cycling, outdoor adventure, wine and dine, festivals, family fun, water sports, etc.
Prizes will be awarded in each category for first ($1,000), second ($500), third ($250) and Fan Choice ($250). The Fan Choice award will be determined through online voting during. Winners of the Fan Choice and judging will be announced and showcased on at the festival on Aug 9 at 9 p.m.
“For a filmmaker to showcase their work in front of more than 5,000 people will be very attractive,” said Andrew Jakubeit, who is organizing the event. He expects social media exposure through the fan choice voting, along with cash prizes, will fuel strong interest and some great submissions.
“Tourism needs collateral to promote the region with authentic experiences from different perspectives and Peachfest had a time slot to fill so it is a win-win for all,” said Jakubeit, also mayor of Penticton. “We live in such a beautiful area with multiple offerings for visitors, plus a burgeoning libations industry so we need to celebrate and showcase what we have at our doorstep.”
The festival is open to professionals and wannabe filmmakers.
“We are looking for more than a few pretty pictures strung together. We want a good story that makes us laugh, cry, feel proud, or want to experience it ourselves,” said Jakubeit.
Each submission will grant the prize sponsor (Tourism Penticton and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association) the non-exclusive rights to use of all or part of their submission for tourism or regional promotion.
Deadline to enter the ReelPeachFest is Aug. 2. More information is available online at reelpeachfest.com.
The 68th annual Peach Festival runs from Aug. 5-9 at Okanagan Lake Park. For a full schedule of events, visit peachfest.com.