The 13th annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest is coming to Showboat Stadium 6 in Polson Feb. 14 through 16.  

Screening full-length narrative and documentary features, shorts, animation and student films, FLIC offers a diverse selection of domestic and international films. This year’s festival features entries from 18 countries as well as many homegrown Montana films.  

Dozens of filmmakers are expected to attend the festival. Discussions between filmmakers and audience members will cap off most screening blocks. 

FLIC gets underway at 4:30 p.m. Feb.14th with a Valentine's Day themed date night dessert reception in the lobby of the Showboat Stadium 6 located at 416 Main St. FLIC screenings start at 6 p.m. on multiple screens. 

At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15, FLIC and the Polson Rotary Club will offer a free animated children’s film and egg burrito breakfast. This year’s film is the Dreamworks animated hit, “Wild Robot.” The Polson Rotary Club will serve breakfast in the cinema lobby starting at 9:15 a.m. Festival film screenings resume at 12:15 p.m. and continue into the evening. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. an informal filmmaker and attendee mixer is planned at Lake City Bakery, 49493 U.S. 93. 

One of the unique standout films this year include the Montana-produced documentary “Bring Them Home,” which tells the story of a small group of Blackfoot people and their mission to establish the first wild buffalo herd on their ancestral territory since the species near-extinction a century ago, an act that would restore the land, enliven traditional culture and bring healing to their community. FLIC judges were unanimous in their praise for this beautiful film, with its rich Montana vistas, expert cinematography and overall professional presentation, punctuated with beautiful narration by Golden Globe Best Actress winner Lily Gladstone. 

Another standout film, according to judges, is the Netherlands-produced documentary film “Journey of Transformation,” which takes the viewer on a breathtaking journey with the blue morpho butterfly as it navigates the perils of the jungle in a remarkable cycle of transformation. “Journey of Transformation” strikes a balance between stunning visuals, a captivating story, and fascinating information about butterflies. It unveils the delicate balance of life where beauty, struggle and resilience coexist in the wild. 

The feature length documentary, “Capturing Kennedy,” shares the extraordinary untold story of Jacques Lowe, a Holocaust survivor and young immigrant who, at 28, became the personal photographer to President John F. Kennedy and his family. Drawing on newly uncovered historic interviews and unprecedented access to Lowe’s personal estate and archives, “Capturing Kennedy” chronicles Lowe’s remarkable journey from surviving the horrors of World War II to capturing some of the most iconic photographs of the Kennedy era. Through Lowe’s unique lens, Capturing Kennedy sheds light on one of the last untold chapters of the Kennedy Presidency and the young photographer whose images chronicled it. 

At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 16, The Good Coffee Roasting Company, 214 Main St., will host a light breakfast mixer for filmmakers and festival attendees. Drinks and baked goods from Whistle Bakery will be available to purchase. 

The weekend concludes with an awards ceremony and dessert reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16.  

For people who are unable to attend FLIC, Showboat Stadium 6 will host encore screenings at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 through Feb. 20. 

All films, times and events are subject to change. The FLIC 2025 screening schedule is available to view at FLICPolson.com, where festival passes may also be purchased. Passes will be available for pick up at will call during the festival weekend.  

For more information email contact@flicpolson.com. 

    The feature length documentary, “Capturing Kennedy,” will be screened during the 13th annual FLIC film festival in Polson. "Capturing Kennedy" chronicles the story of Holocaust survivor and immigrant Jacques Lowe who became the personal photographer to President John F. Kennedy at 28. (Courtesy photo)