February will see return of two area film festivals

Above: “Reclaim Idaho,” a documentary film directed by Jim Kamoosi and Laura Wing-Kamoosi,” will screen as part of the 2022 Spokane International Film Festival. (Photo/via Twitter)

It seems only fitting that, the day after the death of Peter Bogdanovich, I should share news regarding two local film festivals.

Bogdanovich, of course, is the filmmaker who earned fame with his 1971 film “The Last Picture Show.” He died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles at age 82.

A film scholar, who evolved from his role as critic to that of director, Bogdanovich would be the first to welcome news of events offering access to a variety of films. And that’s exactly what the Spokane International Film Festival and the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival will be doing.

The first, commonly referred to as SpIFF, will resume operation on Feb. 4th. (The festival was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) The second, SJCFF, will resume Feb. 17.

Both will be offering films in dual formats: select films in person and all films online. SpIFF films will screen at The Bing and the Magic Lantern Theatre, while SJCFF films will screen at the Garland Theater.

Check out the schedules and you’ll see that each festival offers a variety of films that you likely wouldn’t be able to see any other way.

Peter Bogdanovich would no doubt applaud your efforts.