The Final Days of the Vashon Island Film Festival – A Grand Finale of Cinema and Celebration
As the Vashon Island Film Festival rolled into its final two days, the excitement and energy only seemed to grow. Saturday morning began with the early 10:30 AM Pacific Northwest premiere of Inheritance. Directed by Emily Moss Wilson, this powerful story of family secrets and the burdens of legacy had attendees eager to see it unfold on the big screen. The premiere felt like a significant moment not just for the festival, but for the community that has nurtured and supported such talent.
Following this strong start, I dove into Block 2 of the shorts, an eclectic mix that kept me captivated from start to finish. The selections ranged from the poignant to the profound, each one leaving its mark. Remember, Broken Crayons Colour Too was a standout with its delicate handling of childhood trauma and resilience. Dissolution brought a gritty intensity to the screen, exploring the unraveling of relationships with a raw, unflinching gaze. The Masterpiece was just that—a meticulously crafted narrative that left me in awe of its storytelling precision. Trapped was a heart-pounding short that kept me on the edge of my seat, while Goodbye First Love tugged at the heartstrings with its tender portrayal of young romance and inevitable loss.
As the afternoon sun bathed the island in golden light, the anticipation for the evening’s main event grew. Saturday night brought with it the much-anticipated Soiree, DJ’d by none other than KEXP legend Marco Collins. The night was a perfect blend of style and celebration, with Collins spinning tracks that kept the dance floor alive. The energy was infectious as festival-goers, filmmakers, and locals mingled, shared stories, and danced late into the night. It was a fitting celebration of the festival’s success, with the island’s creative spirit shining brightly.
Sunday was a day of final farewells, but not without a few more cinematic gems. Songs from the Hole started the day with its powerful visual album created behind bars—a moving exploration of music and redemption. Porcelain War followed, offering a stark, yet beautiful tribute to the resilience of artists in the face of unimaginable adversity in war-torn Ukraine.
The festival’s penultimate screenings featured Bang Bang, a gritty narrative that showcased Tim Blake Nelson in one of his finest performances, and Sujo, a haunting tale that spanned a lifetime of violence and survival in the Mexican countryside. Both films left a lasting impact, reminding us of the power of storytelling to transport, challenge, and move us.
As the sun set on Vashon Island, the festival’s grand finale, the Red Bicycle Awards, brought the weekend to a celebratory close. The winners were as follows:
- Burton Award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking: Bob’s Funeral by Jack Dunphy
- Audience Award for Best Short: Bob’s Funeral by Jack Dunphy
- Best shortCUTZ (sponsored by C’Mon Barber): Boo by Jake Conroy
- Best Supporting Actor: Eryk Lubos for Swarm
- Best Cinematography: Gao Weizhe for Black Dog
- Best Production Design: Brandon Tonner-Connolly for I Saw the TV Glow
- Best Original Music: Chris Ruggiero for Resynator
- Best Screenplay: Ge Rui and Guan Hu for Black Dog
- Best Editing: Kathryn Robson for Resynator
- Best Director: Guan Hu for Black Dog
- Best Actor: Everett Blunck for Griffin in Summer
- Quartermaster Award for Best Feature: Black Dog
- Audience Award for Best Feature: Fluxx
As I reflected on the past few days, it was clear that the Vashon Island Film Festival had not only lived up to expectations but had far exceeded them. The films, the events, the community—it all came together to create something truly special. And with the 4th annual Vashon Island Film Festival already slated for August 7-10, 2025, the excitement is already building for what comes next. As I left the island, I couldn’t help but feel grateful to have been part of this cinematic journey, one that I hope to embark on again next year. Until then, Vashon Island, you’ve been a perfect host.
– Alan Motley (@alanmotley)
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