Film festival gets new name to Ely Film Festival, will host Best of the Fest June 18-21
Ely’s Historic State Theater will be hosting a series of screenings entitled “Best of the Fest” June 18-21.
The reprise screening series follows a hugely successful first ever film festival during Ely Winter Festival this year.
“For visitors who weren’t able to make it to town this past February or for Elyites who may have missed out due to work or other obligations, the Best of the Fest is a chance to catch some of the crowd-favorite films on the big screen,” said Festival director and founder Jacob White.
There will be a total of seven screenings over the course of three days. Tickets are $5 or you can buy a pass to all seven films for $25.
All screenings will take place in the smaller, 50-seat Greenstone Cinema, which means tickets could sell out early.
White said he isn’t counting on any filmmakers in attendance or planning auxiliary programming, but they are excited once again to share the magic of independent cinema with the community!
The schedule will include six of the award-winning feature films plus a short film block called “Best of Shorts” which includes the six award-winning short films from this year’s festival.
“While you’re visiting the State, enjoy their new self-service butter on your freshly popped popcorn!” said White.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting elystatetheater.org or picking up a pass in person at the theater.
Festival organizers and the theater board are also excited to announce a name change for the film festival event.
Last year’s inaugural festival was entitled “End of the Road Film Festival,” a fitting name for a special place in our hearts and lives.
However, many attendees (filmmakers, locals, and visiting audience members alike) defaulted to calling the event “Ely Film Festival” as it rolls off the tongue.
“We’ve got to give the people what they want! Ely Film Festival brings better name recognition to our town and it’s easier for everyone to remember. We hope to maintain a positive relationship with the Ely Film Art and Music Festival based in Ely, Nevada (formerly called Ely Film Festival),” said White.
“Maybe they will want to play some of our films, and vice versa. What a great way to cross-pollinate between two historical mining towns with thriving tourism economies.”
White was able to attend the Ely FAM Festival in Ely, Nevada in March, where he said their small community welcomed him warmly.
Stay tuned for more information about the second annual Ely Film Festival, coming to Ely’s Historic State Theater Feb. 8-11 as an official event of the Ely Winter Festival.
