The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) premieres its eighth annual winter film festival during the weekend of Jan. 24 to Jan. 26 at the Showboat Cinema on Main Street in Polson.

The festival screens full-length features, shorts, animation, student films and documentaries. FLIC 2020 offers a broad selection of international films from over a dozen countries. In addition, there are 13 films produced in Montana.

About 30 filmmakers plan to travel to Montana from across the nation and globe, including several cast and crew from Germany and South Korea. FLIC has become a destination film festival for all the right reasons, chief among them being that the area’s attendees are so supportive of independent cinema. Spirited discussions between audience and filmmakers cap off most screening blocks.

FLIC’s judges enjoyed discovering this year’s gems. Included among them is “The Last Beyond,” a 1930s period piece shot in Montana. This beautiful film features Stephen Small Salmon, a Pend d’Oreille tribal member from the Flathead Reservation. Small Salmon and the film’s director, Graham DuBose, will be in attendance and will participate in a Q and A following the screening. “The Last Beyond” is nominated for seven FLIC awards, including Best Picture, and screens at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24.

Another standout is “Wuthering Heights,” Emily Bronte’s classic tale of undying love and tormented passion, produced and directed by Bryan Ferriter, a Montana native. “Wuthering Heights,” which runs 180 minutes and is nominated for six FLIC awards including Best Picture, screens at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26.

FLIC kicks off Friday, Jan. 24, with an informal gathering from 4 to 6 p.m. at Perfect Shot Tavern, 218 Main Street. Complimentary food will be served, with optional food and drinks available. Film showings on two screens begin that evening at 6 p.m. at the Showboat Cinema, 416 Main Street, Polson.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, screenings resume at 8:30 a.m. with a free animated children’s film and breakfast sponsored by the Polson Rotary Club. Festival film screenings resume at 10 a.m. and continue on two screens into the evening. There will be a break in film showings from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for an informal gathering at The Cove Deli and; Pizza, 11 Third Ave. W. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served with optional menu items available.

The FLIC 2020 weekend draws to a festive close with the Awards Show and dessert reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. The Audience Award will also be given to the FLIC audience’s overall favorite film. Free to the public, the Awards Show takes place at Showboat Cinema.

If you miss FLIC weekend, the Showboat Cinemas will host FLIC 2020 encore screenings from 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, through Thursday evening, Jan. 30. Monday through Thursday screenings are at 4:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. The encore screening schedule will be available at flicpolson.com in January.

All films, times and events are subject to change. The FLIC 2020 program and screenings schedules are available for download at flicpolson.com, where festival passes, individual screening tickets, and FLIC merchandise may also be purchased. FLIC is also on Facebook. Email: contact@flicpolson.com.