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Over nine days the Prescott Film Festival is screening 40 films, hosting 12 free workshops and multiple special events that range from cabaret parties to swing dancing and gourmet dinners.
Wochit

It’s no secret that Phoenicians flock to the superb powers of air conditioners inside movie theaters once the thermostats tip past triple digits, but this June, why not make a memorable road trip out of your quest for cooler temps and the magic of cinema?

Prescott Film Festival is boasting more than 40 film screenings including 5 international films, 12 workshops that are free and open to the public and special events that range from cabaret parties to swing dancing and gourmet dinners.

Here are 7 reasons why it’s worth the drive:

1. Support the little guys!

Helen Stephenson, the Executive Director of the Prescott Film Festival, and her team, pride themselves on selecting films that speak to your heart, challenge your mind and present you with something new to walk away with. You can always go to the local movie theater chain and catch Hollywood blockbuster that is currently playing. But during these 9 days you can support and experience independent film that you won’t have a chance to see on a big screen.

2. Rub some elbows with the stars

If you’re a fan of ‘Man in the High Castle’ or ‘Lost’ you might recognize Daniel Roebuck who wrote, directed and is starring in the film ‘Getting Grace’ which is screening at 6:30 p.m. on June 11. Roebuck will be attending the screening and participating in a Q&A where he will talk about this work-in-progress.

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Impress your friends and family with these tips, courtesy of CJ Davis, general manager and sommelier of UrbanBeat Event Center in Lansing.
Laura Trabka/Lansing State Journal

3. WINE!

Seriously. This is a highlight of the festival of each year. for $35 you can sample wines from all over the world, this year six continents are being represented at the tasting and then you can see how they stack up to our local vintages from Arizona. It is little known but Yavapai College actually has an impressive viticulture and enology program. Admission also include a movie ticket and hors d’oeuvres

4. Small town love

Prescott is lovingly known as ‘Everyone’s Hometown’ and once you visit, you can certainly see why. After you take in a few films, wander over to the charming courthouse plaza and picnic on the lawn where they often  have live music, craft shows or community events. Or if you’re looking for something more lively, Whiskey Row is not only famous for its historical designation but for the spirits as well. You can find cute and funky spots to eat or find a cool treat throughout the town.

5. #OptOutside

If you are a true cinephile and you plan to come camp out in the theater for like 10 hours straight (no judgement) then why not start your day off with a sunrise hike? Prescott has same great trails and stunning outdoor locations like Watson Lake that are not far from the venue. That way you won’t feel guilty having bucket of popcorn either.

6. Get your hands dirty

Ever want to try your hands at stop motion animation? Well now you can! It’s free and you don’t have to have any experience but you really should expect to get your hands dirty. Clay will be provided. Lindsay Bane will be leading the workshop. She is a producer and YC animation instructor.

7. Meet new people and make new friends

No this isn’t a cliché attempt at guilting you into anything. Film festivals truly bring a dynamic, interesting group of people together that would not normally be sharing the same place. Several years ago at a film festival, just as an example, I danced with a 78-year-old Chinese filmmaker who laughed nonstop, met a husband and wife from Los Angeles that made documentaries together about mental health and met one filmmaker who forever changed my life.

Bonus

A documentary by one of our filmmakers at USA TODAY Pat Shannahan is screening at the Prescott Film Festival. ‘Wild Horses, Wild Men’ was filmed in Arizona and is the story of how Randy Helm created a program at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence for inmates to work with wild horses. The program not only changed the lives of the horses, but of the men. You can see the film on Saturday, June 10.

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Randy Helm is a horse whisperer who teaches inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence how to tame wild horses. Through the process of training wild mustangs, the inmates learn that they too can live another way.
Pat Shannahan/azcentral.com

Details

Friday, June 9 through Saturday, June 17, check the calendar here. Yavapai College, 1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, AZ. Admission varies. 928-458-7209, http://prescottfilmfestival.com/.

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