CASCADIA Plans Opening Night Party, Film

Mix, Mingle and Meet CASCADIA’s Team, Directors and Special Guests

CASCADIA celebrates the start of this year’s festival with a Red Carpet Opening Night Party Thursday, May 4 at 9 p.m sponsored jointly by Cascade Brain and Spine Center and Argyle Salon. The party at Penny Farthing Restaurant and Bar in the Chuckanut Distillery, 1309 Cornwall Ave., will immediately follow the Opening Night feature film, “Cinema Sabaya,” at the Pickford Film Center.

This is the festival’s first time to host this event as a ticketed party. Directors will arrive from the evening screening where they, along with the partygoers, will walk the red carpet into the restaurant venue. The party will bring together CASCADIA’s visiting directors and special guests, board and audience members to compare notes and share thoughts about the film the opening night film, or film in general, while nibbling on yummy selections of late night appetizers catered by Penny Farthing and toasting the festival with a a glass of bubbly or French 75.

The party is open to the public, whether or not you attend the film, with the purchase of the $25 entry ticket available in advance here. The party is included in the Festival Passport Pass too.

Festival Opens with Award-Winning Israeli Film

In a scene from “Cinema Sabaya,” CASCADIA’s Opening Night film, the women are ready with their cameras.

“Cinema Sabaya” directed by Orit Fouks Rotem, is a 91-minute feature. The film was Israel’s entry as best foreign film for this year’s Oscar. It tells the uplifting story, loosely based on the director’s own experience, of a group of Arab and Jewish women who together attend a video workshop to learn film making. The film presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art’s capacity to unite disparate communities, moving effortlessly between the gravity of their conversations and the genuine joy of this unlikely group of friends. “Cinema Sabaya” is co-sponsored by Robert and Sheila Goodwin and John and Renee Remeny.

“There’s always a lot to talk about after one of CASCADIA’s films,’ says CASCADIA Executive Director Cheryl Crooks. “With this year’s opening night party we’re creating an opportunity to build community, connections and conversation for everyone who attends.”

Tickets to the film may be purchased individually here for $15. Film admission is included in the Festival Passport or All Films Passes. Tickets for the party may also be bought individually and include admission, appetizers and the glass of French 75 or bubbly. In addition, Penny Farthing’s bar will remain open should you wish to buy a mixed drink, wine, beer or cider.