Just in time for the holiday season, the locally produced "Without a Ladder" is ready for its moment on the red carpet.

The film, produced as a workforce training opportunity by the nonprofit kNIFVES (Northwest Independent Film & Video Entertainment Society), can be seen at a special premiere event at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Regal Cinemas Riverstone 14 in Coeur d'Alene.

The 30-minute short stars Jack Bannon as Mr. Hobbs, a recently widowed man struggling through his first Christmas without his wife. A young neighbor boy (Tiger Ashtiani) helps Mr. Hobbs prepare for his family Christmas Eve dinner.

It's a polished, heartstring-tugging effort from director W.J. Lazerus, writer Ted Parvin and a slew of local film and video professionals and students. There's banter between a grumpy old man and a precocious kid, the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree and lessons to be learned about life, loss and family.

We just had our first snow of the season, and "Without a Ladder" is Christmas-y. What else do you really need to know?

The movie production was sponsored in part by Mountain West Bank and a grant from the Idaho Film Office. Local filmmakers should definitely check out the resources available to them through FilmIdaho.org.

The red carpet event this Wednesday serves as a fundraiser for kNIFVES, which trains the Inland Northwest workforce in film and media arts and provides opportunities and funding for up-and-coming filmmakers. You can find more information on their workshops, meetings and production opportunities at Knifves.org

The Red Carpet event begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with the film screening at 7 p.m. at the Regal Cinemas Riverstone 14. A VIP party will be held following the screening at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Tickets are $15 for the screening. A VIP pass, which includes a ticket to the premiere as well as access to the VIP party and a DVD copy of the film, is $75.

For advance tickets, contact Andy at (208) 771-3413 or Deb at (509) 998-0314. Advance tickets are also available at the kNIFVES Morning Meet and Greet Mixer from 9:30-11:30 a.m. this Saturday at Calypsos Coffee, located at 116 E. Lakeside Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. The informal event is a no-host, free event for those interested in speaking with kNIFVES members and learning more about the organization.

Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.