Tacoma picked to host free Sundance film series

Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced today that “FILM FORWARD: Advancing Cultural Dialogue” will host free public screenings of eight films for the first time ever in Tacoma. These films include Town of Runners, The Light in Her Eyes, Chasing Ice, The Loving Story, Bones Brigade, Valley of Saints, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Under the Same Moon. The film tour will take place Sept. 3 – 7, with moderated discussions following each screening, and filmmakers Julia Meltzer (The Light in Her Eyes) and Jerry Rothwell (Town of Runners) will be present on Sept. 4 and 5.

FILM FORWARD is a partnership of Sundance Institute and four U.S. federal cultural agencies, including the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is a touring program that offers film screenings, workshops and discussions designed to foster dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.

“Truly a community effort, the City of Tacoma’s Arts Program is partnering with the Grand Cinema, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks Tacoma, University of Washington Tacoma, University of Puget Sound and more to present this robust and insightful program,” said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride. “There is no cost to see any of these screenings and everyone is welcome. In particular, we would love to see those who are new to independent film, students and the local filmmaking community come out and attend.”