The third annual Tumbleweed Film Festival is set to take over the Nk’Mip Desert Heritage Centre from Aug. 16-18. More than 30 films from all around the world are scheduled to be shown this year. Tickets for each night cost $18 and can be purchased online at www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com or at the door. Photo supplied

Watch globally, drink locally.
That’s the theme of the third annual Tumbleweed Film Festival, which is set to take over the Desert Cultural Centre at the Nk’Kip Resort and Spa from Aug. 16-18.
“It is so exciting to have the festival return,” said Jennifer Busmann, guest services manager at Nk’Mip Cellars.  “The films last year were some of the best I’ve seen in years.”
This is the second year the film festival has returned to Osoyoos, but the third year since its inception.  Festival organizers Geoff Klein and Mo Fine said this year audiences can look forward to a plethora of short films from all over the world.  And not only that, but there will also be a delicious selection of local wine and beer.
“Each night’s screening of the films are really strong this year,” said Klein.  “I think our audiences will definitely be pleasantly surprised by the quality of these films.”
More than 30 films are scheduled to be shown over the three-day festival, including everything from comedy and drama to documentaries and animation.  And with the films hailing from Canada, all the way to Uganda, and everything in between, there is sure to be a great variety, said Fine.
“If we can bring the world to Osoyoos for three nights via films and get people to try some of the delicious local libations here, the festival is doing its job,” she said.
“Every year it’s been getting better and better as far as attendance, quality of our movies, the activities around them and community participation.  We were able to look at what was good last year and what wasn’t and eliminate those things and focus on things that people seem to like.”
Of the 30-plus films being screened this year, Fine said a few special ones to watch out for include the British short Friend Request Pending, which stars famed actress Dame Judi Dench, who starred as M in the James Bond films GoldenEye, Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.  And there is also the audience favourite from the SeattleInternational Film Festival, CatCam, which is directed by Seth Keal.
But besides the magnificent cinema being shown, Fine said there are a number of other things people can look forward to, such as live entertainment, an opening ceremony at the Desert Cultural Centre, and new this year, question and answer sessions with select filmmakers after their films have been viewed.  Audience members will also have  a chance to vote on the “best short.”
With roughly 100 seats at the cultural centre, Fine said she hopes to see the place at full capacity each and every night.  She said they more than expect to sell out, so she suggests people get their tickets as early as possible through the Tumbleweed website, which can be found at www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com.
“People can now buy them (tickets) in advance, which I would definitely recommend,” she said.  “One night is already sold out in Oroville, so if we get the same kind of participation in Osoyoos, buying them online, in advance, would probably be the best bet.”
Tickets for the third annual Tumbleweed Film Festival are $18 an evening and can be purchased online or at the door. Tasting for the event officially begins on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., with the films starting at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Stu Wells said it’s great to see the festival return to Osoyoos this year and he hopes to see it continue to grow.
“On behalf of council and staff, we are very excited about this year’s showcase of film selections and are looking forward to working with the festival organisers to keep growing this event for many years to come,” he said.