BEACH BLANKET FILM FESTIVAL- AFLOAT FOR THE FIFTEENTH YEAR
The 15th Annual Beach Blanket Film Festival will run from Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 against the backdrop of the beautiful Okanagan Valley — Projected upon a full sized screen floating 25 feet offshore on Okanagan Lake, festival attendees will trade in theatre seating to curl up on their beach blankets and enjoy the Canadian films screening over the three night event.
“Penticton, British Columbia is blessed with the beauty of two warm lakes and the surrounding mountains — and this is the setting our festival goers enjoy as they experience the sounds and sensations of both the movies and nature,” says festival organizer Nikos Theodosakis. “We set up a full-size theatre screen in the Okanagan Lake and you can stretch out your blanket or lawn chair on the beach next to the Penticton Lakeside Resort, recline under the stars with a bag of popcorn, and enjoy the works of top Canadian filmmakers.”
The gentle lapping of lake waters at the base of the screen creates a theatre setting unlike one you’ve ever experienced. During the 1994 screening of 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould, audiences watched as the pianist’s hands appeared to play the lake and in 1999 The Red Violin mesmerized audiences with its striking images reflected on the water as a beautiful soundtrack spilled over the waters edge.
“The film festival was born out of a selfish desire to see more Canadian films, a desire to give Canadian filmmakers a much needed venue, and a vision to do all of this in a beautiful, slightly surreal setting,” says Theodosakis.
After a day of frolicking on the lake, tubing down the river, or wine tasting at some of the Okanagan’s finest vineyards, festival goers can relax on the fantastic waterfront patio of the Penticton Lakeshore Resort for cocktails and dinner before the festival start time of 10:00 pm.