Eight new films screening at OIFF’s spring mini film festival

This spring, cinephiles rejoice as the Orcas Island Film Festival proudly presents the Spring Mini Film Festival, featuring an exciting lineup of eight fantastic new films from talented filmmakers from around the world.

Scheduled to take place from April 26-28 at the Sea View Theatre, this mini festival promises to captivate audiences with its diverse selection of cinematic experiences, ranging from gripping dramas to heartwarming comedies and thought-provoking documentaries.

“We haven’t had a mini fest since before COVID and we are thrilled to present this exceptional line-up of films; there’s something for everyone” said Donna Laslo, OIFF Co-Director.

Among the highlights of the festival is COPA 71 a documentary that reveals the woeful treatment of women’s soccer by FIFA and UK Football association who all but erased the history of the first world cup held in 1971. Award-winning producer Jannet Gargi will be in attendance and will host a post-film Q & A.

Tickets and Passes are on sale now. A pass for all eight films is $85 ($10.65/film). Individual tickets are $16. in advance and $20 at the door.

To see the schedule and film lineup and trailers visit oifilmfest.org.

Mini festival 2024 films

COPA 71 (United Kingdom) A riveting documentary executive produced by Serena and Venus Williams, the story of the unofficial 1971 Women’s World Cup, a moment virtually erased from the history of soccer. Prepare yourself for an emotional ride. The amnesia over this history is a woeful loss, but this film is a winner. Producer in attendance for post-film Q & A.

EZRA (USA) An endearing cross-country road movie about parents struggling over how best to raise their child. Tony Goldwyn stars in and directs Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rainn Wilson.

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Canada) A young woman vampire is unable to kill to meet her need for blood, but may have found a solution in a young man with suicidal tendencies. More comedy than horror, this heartfelt story is about the unlikely meeting of two outsiders finding each other.

Songs of Earth (Norway) With her native Norway’s dizzyingly beautiful mountain landscapes serving as a cinematic backdrop, filmmaker Margreth Olin embarks on a profound existential journey with her aging parents that captures this unique corner of the earth in all its glorious seasons.

Thelma (USA) When 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she jumps into action Mission Impossible style in her quest to get her money back. Writer-director Josh Margolin puts a clever spin on action movies, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely hero.

Tuesday (UK) A mother (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her teenage daughter (Lola Petticrew) must confront Death when it arrives in the form of an astonishing talking bird. A profoundly moving fairy tale about loss and finding resilience in the unexpected.

Wicked Little Letters (UK) When scandalous anonymous letters begin circulating through a small town, suspicion spreads and a foul-mouthed war of words breaks out. Based on a true story, starring Jessie Buckley and Olivia Coleman, this comedy is sharp and wickedly fun.

Wildcat (USA) Ethan Hawke directs this inventive literary biopic about Southern Gothic writer Flannery O’Connor. By cleverly collaging excerpts from her short fiction, personal letters, and journals, he illuminates her brilliance piece by piece, bone by bone.