BY KAREN BOSSICK
Sun Valley’s Homegrown Film Festival is more homegrown than ever, thanks to the pandemic.
“The pandemic has made it more difficult to create films. But it’s beautiful in a way because it kept people closer to home. And that’s perfect for a festival like this, which showcases films made in our backyard,” said McKenna Peterson.
Peterson, a big mountain skier, will emcee the 2020 Homegrown Film Festival at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, from The Argyros Performing Arts Center.
The festival itself will be livestreamed this year because of the pandemic.
“It’s unfortunate we have to show it virtually because the energy at the festival is always so high with everybody getting excited for the winter. But we hope it will get people stoked. And it’s an important fundraiser for the Sawtooth Avalanche Center,” said Peterson.
The festival will showcase films by and starring local skiers, such as Karl Fostvedt, Olympic snowboarder Chase Josey and Ethan Marx. Films will focus on awesome skiing, kayaking, speed flying, conservation and in-general-enjoying-the-outdoors films.
There are a lot of new films and intros to full-length films. There also will be a few classic surprises that tie into the present.
A portion of Matchsticks Productions’ 2020 film “Huck Yeah” that depicts Peterson fishing for salmon on an Alaskan fishing boat and skiing Alaska’s steep, scenic powder will also be shown.
This year’s festival is dedicated to Jim Kjelland, who loved shredding powder even though he had been born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A speed skier, Kjelland was also a camera man, and one of the films he helped make before his death in November will be shown at the festival.
“We have some incredible local talent both on skis and behind cameras,” said Peterson. “And, hopefully, these homegrown films will inspire some more young amateur filmmakers.”
Tickets for the festival are $25, available at www.homegrownfilms.org on Thursday, Jan. 7. Raffle tickets will also be available online, and the winners will be drawn live during the event.
The proceeds will benefit the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.