Fun and food at film fest fundraiser

The 2027 Dam Short Film Festival is returning to a familiar location, so it’s only appropriate that organizers are giving attendees a sample of what’s to come.

The festival will be hosting an evening of film and food as part of its annual fundraiser on Nov. 18.

A Nevada Filmmaker Showcase will feature selected shorts, all from filmmakers from the Silver State.

BDFF Director of Operation Ken Cioe said that two years ago, they had the opportunity to hold a fundraiser at the Beverly Theatre in downtown Las Vegas.

The funds raised helped them fund the festival, so they held their second annual fundraiser event there again last year.

“However, when we were able to negotiate bringing the festival back to the Historic Boulder Theatre, we reached out to see if we could also hold our fundraiser there,” he said. “Desi (Arnaz, the owner) and Anna (McKay, the manager) were very open to this and we knew that it would be a much bigger event in Boulder City, so we jumped at the chance.

“As far as the fundraiser is concerned, this gives us the opportunity to hold it here in Boulder City, the home of the Dam Short Film Festival - we are super excited.”

This year will feature 14 Nevada filmmaker short films. Cioe said he and Art Director Mat Stowell rewatched all the selected Nevada filmmaker films from the past 12 years and picked the 14 shorts based on many different criteria.

“Ultimately, we wanted a diverse group of shorts that would give an audience a genuine idea of what it is like to experience the Dam Short Film Festival,” he said. “This is going to be a fun night. We really hope to see as many festival lovers as possible. It is really hard these days to get dinner and a show for $40.”

The reception will be catered by Your Mom’s Italian Kitchen, with beer supplied by Beer Zombies and wine donated by Platinum Title.

“This is all followed by a screening of some amazing Nevada-made films,” he said. “Also, we have a silent auction with some really incredible items, including a four-pack of Golden Knights tickets, a helicopter tour for two from Papillion, a two-night staycation at the Boulder Dam Hotel and a round of golf at Boulder Creek for four.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on the festival’s website at damshortfilm.org. Next year’s festival, which will be held at the Boulder Theatre, is set for Feb. 17-21.