Vashon Island Film Festival: A cinematic escape

The third annual Vashon Island Film Festival is set to captivate audiences from August 8-11. Nestled off the coast of Washington State, this island festival promises a rich lineup of 12 features, 10 shorts, and three local projects.

A celebration of film and community

The festival isn’t just about screenings. Attendees can look forward to a variety of events, including the Red Bicycle Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 11, at the Vashon Theatre and its newly renovated outdoor pavilion, The Backlot. This family-operated cultural landmark adds a unique charm to the festival experience.

A word from the founder

Mark Mathias Sayre, the festival founder and CEO of the Forge distribution and sales company, expressed his excitement: “Our lineup is as strong as it’s ever been—it truly is the best of the best from this year’s festival season. Even our patrons will have a difficult time choosing which films to watch, which is a good problem to have.”

Must-see narrative features

The festival’s narrative features are a testament to diverse storytelling. Here are some highlights:

“Bang Bang” directed by Vincent Grashaw, starring Tim Blake Nelson. Watch the trailer
“Black Dog” directed by Guan Hu. Watch the trailer
“Fluxx” directed by Brendan Gabriel Murphy. Watch the trailer
“I Saw the TV Glow” directed by Jane Schoenbrun. Watch the trailer
“Griffin in Summer” directed by Nicholas Colia. Watch the trailer
“Sujo” directed by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez. Watch the trailer
“Swarm” directed by Bartek Bala. Watch the trailer

Property Masters Guild: Honoring the unseen heroes

In other exciting news, the Property Masters Guild has announced the nominees for the inaugural MacGuffin Awards, celebrating the achievements of Property Masters in 11 categories. The winners will be revealed on September 14 at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Recognizing excellence in film and TV

The nominees span a wide range of genres and formats, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of Property Masters. Here are some notable mentions:

Contemporary feature film

“American Fiction” – Property Master: Lily Raih
“The Killer” – Property Master: James Lyman Eddy, PMG
“Knock at the Cabin” – Property Master: Robbie Duncan, PMG
“Knox Goes Away” – Property Master: Joshua Meltzer, PMG
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” – Property Master: David Cheesman

Period feature film

“Asteroid City” – Property Master: Sandy Hamilton
“The Holdovers” – Property Master: Pete Dancy
“Napoleon” – Property Master: Joshua Polley
“Oppenheimer” – Property Master: Guillaume Delouche, PMG
“Saltburn” – Property Master: P.R. Smith

Fantasy / science fiction feature film

“Barbie” – Property Master: Steven Morris
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – Property Master: Russell Bobbitt, PMG
“Poor Things” – Property Master: Balazs M. Kovacs
“Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire” – Property Master: Brad Elliott, PMG
“Wonka” – Property Master: Jamie Wilkinson, PMG

Television series categories

The awards also recognize excellence in television, with categories for half-hour multi-camera series, half-hour single-camera series, one-hour contemporary series, one-hour period series, one-hour fantasy/science fiction series, and mini-series. Some standout nominees include:

“Abbott Elementary” – Property Master: James “Skip” Torvinen, PMG
“The Bear” – Property Master: Laura Roeper
“The Last of Us” – Property Master: Justin Onofriechuk
“Star Trek: Picard” – Property Master: Jeffrey Lombardi, PMG
“1923” – Property Master: Ian Roylance, PMG

Reflecting on the art of cinema

For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, these events highlight the intricate artistry behind the scenes. The Vashon Island Film Festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in diverse narratives, while the MacGuffin Awards shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of Property Masters.

As we celebrate these achievements, it’s a reminder of the collaborative effort that goes into creating the films and series we love. Whether you’re attending the festival or following the awards, there’s a wealth of inspiration to be found in the world of cinema.