This past weekend in Jackson, Wyoming, audiences attended the sophomore edition of the Jackson Hole International Film Festival. The brainchild of HIFF Founder Stuart Suna, this sister festival to HIFF “exists to present the work of international creatives in an environment that inspires and honors the stories behind the art.”
This year’s films included several films that screened at HIFF, including the moving drama THE FRIEND on Opening Night, with the one and only Bill Murray in attendance with directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee, and the HIFF Competition documentary SPACE COWBOY, directed by special guests Marah Strauch and Bryce Leavitt.
In addition, Afghan ski coach and film subject Alishah came all the way from Germany to screen Ben Sturgulewski‘s THE CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY to a packed all-ages audience at the Jackson High School on Saturday night, and Sunday saw the world premiere of Oscar Rodrigues Alves‘s THE GROOVE UNDER THE GROOVE, where audiences were delighted to meet legendary percussionist and star of the show Paulinho da Costa.
The setting was spectacular—most films screened at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, set against the backdrop of the majestic (and snowy!) Tetons—the welcome was warm, and the atmosphere was distinctively western. Skiing, snowshoeing, and time spent in the hot springs were just the icing on the cake. Join the JHIFF mailing list to learn about next year’s festival, and make your plans now!
