For a cinephile like myself, there is no greater feeling than attending a well-programmed film festival, except when the event takes place amid the scenic backdrop of Vashon Island and its natural beauty. Now in its second year, the Vashon Island Film Festival (VIFF) returns from August 10th through the 13th at the newly renovated Vashon Theatre.
Beyond the twelve features and ten shorts that have gained acclaim on the festival circuit, VIFF offers experiences that make the quick ferry ride worth the inconvenience. “Rock on the Rock” on Friday night allows ticket holders to mingle with filmmakers while enjoying local entertainment. The Saturday Night Soirée features live music, street food, and a beer/wine garden.
“We’ve focused on programming a high-quality lineup of truly ‘independent’ films,” said Mark Mathias Sayre, who helped curate the festival and is an international film producer in his own right. “I think there’s something for everyone in this year’s program.
“We’ve got coming-of-age stories; stories of children, adults, and families gone wrong; smart, short, and sharp horror; an inspiring examination of a female football league; a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction spy saga; and long-overdue tributes to two of the Pacific Northwest’s most legendary bands, to name a few of our offerings.”
Sayre, a longtime Vashon Island resident himself, also founded the Vashon Film Institute, the non-profit organizer of the festival that seeks to nurture youth and the community through its educational programs, events, and workshops. “We also believe off-island patrons will find something that residents already know: that the island is one-of-a-kind. Vashon is one of the most beautiful settings in the country, if not the world,” he said.
One of the documentary features this year is “The Herricanes,” by Olivia Kuan. The film chronicles the incredible true story of a full-tackle football team of women in 1976, at a time when a woman couldn’t get a credit card without a male co-signer. We learn how this rag-tag team of women from all walks of life rose in the ranks of the National Women’s Football League, which had 14 teams and three divisions at the time.
Kuan, who interweaves her own family story into the film, created a remarkably compelling documentary that isn’t afraid to tackle (pun intended) the societal conventions around gender and sexuality that continue to inhibit the growth of women in sports. Today, nearly 100 professional women’s full tackle football teams play across the country. However, the documentary makes it clear that achieving full equity remains a steep climb.
Without giving too much away, there is plenty for our audience in Kuan’s work. Some players discuss same-sex relationships and gender roles. Let’s remember, a woman in Houston could be arrested just for wearing fly-front pants at the time. So, while “being closeted” was a necessity, these women stuck together, partied together, and just “were who we were.” The team manager also has a funny anecdote involving room assignments, but you’ll just have to watch to hear about that.
“The Herricanes” will be playing at VIFF on August 13th at 2:30 p.m. Like all showings, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the theater capacity is limited.
For ticket purchases and more information about the festival, please visit www.vashonislandfilmfestival.com.
