Our once annual Moonrise Film Festival is back for the first time since 2019!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

This year at The Moonrise Film Festival, we continue to celebrate BC filmmakers from across the province, with 9 new award-winning short and feature films, spotlighting areas from the Cariboo, Okanagan, Kamloops, Pender Island, Greater Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. And with three traveling directors in attendance participating in candid Q&As, we’re beyond proud to share these visionary and accomplished films, once more in our beautiful Sunset Theatre in Wells, BC.

FESTIVAL PASSES ARE $40 FOR ALL 5 BLOCKS. INDIVIDUAL BLOCKS ARE $10/EACH

DAY 1
BLOCK 1 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 @ 8PM
MOONRISE ALUMNI FILMS + Q&A
A collection of new works by Moonrise alumni filmmakers, including a special in-progress preview of the upcoming feature film “Legacy” with director Q&A by Devan Scott.

Wok-Hei by Joel Salaysay (10min)
An Asian-Canadian mother reflects on her heritage after uncovering a forgotten family wok.

Smoke Eater by Gloria Mercer (12min)
In 1981, a young girl spends a day at the fire station with her mother, the only female firefighter on the force, and witnesses what a typical day of work looks like, for better and for worse.

SNEAK PEEK: Legacy by Willa Ross & Devan Scott (62min)
A man becomes engrossed in an audiobook while walking home on a summer night.

+ Director Q&A with Devan Scott!

DAY 2
BLOCK 2 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 @ 4PM
CARIBOO FILMS + Q&A
Films from the Cariboo! Starting with a special sneak peek of Sarah Genge’s in-progress Wells documentary, and ending with two works by director and historian Richard Wright, this block is dedicated to films that intimately explore the past, present, and future of the Cariboo as home.

The Pond: The Peace of Wild Things by Richard Wright (5min)
Images of life in a small wild pond where we can recreate and relax.

Long Road To Cariboo by Richard Wright (21min)
This is the story of the great Cariboo Waggon Road in British Columbia, and its multicultural beginnings, told through music and song.

SNEAK PEEK: In-Progress Wells Documentary by Sarah Genge (~45min)

Once a booming mine town in the 1930s, now a population of 200 people remain artists, independent prospectors, those who prefer to live in the bush, and the recently moved-in employees of the new mining development. This documentary aims to portray a snapshot of the contemporary dwellers who reside in the historic town of Wells, with all its diversity and contradictions, through a series of intimate and honest portraits of those who call it home.

DAY 2
BLOCK 3 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 @ 8PM

THE DUMMY FACTOR + DIRECTOR Q&A

by O. Corbin Saleken (81min)

After two neighborhood children go missing and another is followed home by a strange man, 12-year-old Noel and his friends launch an investigation. Winner of Best Feature Film (Twister Alley ‘21) and Best Director (Deep In The Heart ‘20), Corbin Saleken’s sophomore feature astutely navigates mystery, suspense, and comedy through the lens of his own childhood, with some embellishment.

Watch the trailer here.

DAY 3
BLOCK 4 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 @ 4PM
UNTIL BRANCHES BEND
by Sophie Jarvis (98min)

Set in the seemingly peaceful Okanagan, a distraught cannery worker discovers an invasive insect that could threaten the livelihood of her entire town. Winner of Best BC Film (VIFF ‘22), Until Branches Bend is a compelling debut drama from writer-director Sophie Jarvis that examines how nature can interrupt our best-laid plans.

Watch the trailer here.

DAY 3
BLOCK 5 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 @ 8PM
SEAGRASS
by Meredith Hama-Brown (110min)

A Japanese-Canadian woman grapples with the death of her mother as she brings her family to a retreat. When her relationship with her husband begins to impact the children's emotional security, the family is forever changed. Winner of Best BC Film and Best Director of a BC Film (Vancouver Film Critics Circle ‘24), Meredith Hama-Browne’s “mesmerizing Canadian drama tugs at the tensions we can’t bring ourselves to untangle.” -The Globe and Mail

Watch the trailer here.

On August 18 we are hosting a staged reading of a New Play created through our Sunset Theatre Exploration Series.

August 18th • 7 PM – Holding the Door Open for Famous People – Written and Performed by Karen Planden • Dramaturgy and Direction by Camille Mitchell.

The Sunset Theatre Exploration Series is supported by the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

THIS SHOW IS FOR ADULTS ONLY (18+)

Since we first heard about this award-winning hit show, we’ve been keen to bring Canadian Clown Artist Candy Roberts to the Sunset stage: she’s fucking brilliant, and we are lucky to have her.

(Yes, we used the F-word, because this show is for adults.)

Roberts assumes her alter ego, LARRY, in this daring and comedic piece about one dude’s hilarious attempt at self improvement. With rock and roll, a little “life-couching”, and a dip into his own psyche, LARRY uncovers a little more than anyone expected.

Culled lovingly from the male archetypes that surrounded her during her upbringing, LARRY helps Candy compassionately examine the limitations of the gender binary, aging as a woman in society, and the complexities of being human.

This show is for anyone who is, or knows a woman. Gear-down Big-Rig, you just might bust a gut and shed a tear!

Tickets are $25/each

Welcome Back to Wells! Join us in a celebration of resilience and an expression of gratitude over the August long weekend.

Live Music | Art | Songwriting | Ceremony | Cartoons | Disc Golf | Karaoke | Yoga | Trivia | Dance Parties

All activities are Pay-What-You-Can/Admission by Donation to support the recovery of local businesses and organizations.

What's open in Wells this August Long Weekend:
* BNC Mercantile
* Diggy’s Diner
* Frog on the Bog Gifts
* Island Mountain Arts Gallery
* Jack O' Clubs General Store
* Jack O’Clubs Pub
* Jack O' Clubs Taco Stand
• Morsel’s Moveable Feast
* Peter Corbett in the St. George Studio
* SARRAS
* Sunset Theatre
* The Wells Hotel Pub & Kitchen
* The Wells Museum

Accommodation:
* Historic Stays in Wells
* Nugget Hills RV Park
* The Whitecap Motel
* The Wells Hotel

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY AUGUST 2

SUNSET THEATRE • 7PM • KIDS SONGWRITING SHOWCASE

BLAIR STREET BRIDGE • 8:15PM • RIVER WALK WITH CHERYL CHAPMAN AND MIKE RETASKET

SUNSET THEATRE • 9PM • MEG IREDALE

SUNSET THEATRE • 10PM • SUNSET SPEAKEASY

SATURDAY AUGUST 3

SUNSET THEATRE • 11AM TO 1PM • SATURDAY MORNING ALL YOU CAN EAT CEREAL AND CARTOON PARTY

SUMMIT • 3PM TO 5PM • EVANN CAMPBELL PORTRAIT PIECES (DROP IN VISUAL ART ACTIVITY)

SUMMIT • 4PM • BOB CAMPBELL

SUNSET THEATRE • 8PM • SHELDER THE ELECTRIC CLAMFISH

SUNSET THEATRE • 9PM • TALEL MCBRIAR

THE WELLS HOTEL PUB • 8PM • INTERSTELLAR JAYS

THE WELLS HOTEL PUB • 10PM • PSEUDOS

JACK O’ CLUBS PUB • 8PM TO 1AM • KARAOKE

SUNDAY AUGUST 4

SARRAS • 10AM TO 11AM • YOGA WITH JEN RAY (BRING YOUR OWN MAT)

SCHOOL FIELD / COMMUNITY FOREST • 12:30PM TO 3PM • INTRO TO DISC GOLF

THE WELLS HOTEL PUB • 8PM TO 10PM • TRIVIA WITH RYAN SCHMITT

SARRAS • 8PM • PALLMER

SUNSET THEATRE • 9:30PM • SAM TUDOR

SUNSET THEATRE • 10:30PM • SUNSET SPEAKEASY

WELLS IS OPEN AND SO IS THE SUNSET THEATRE!

WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT “WHERE IS GRISE FIORD” AT THE SUNSET THEATRE NOW THAT OUR EVACUATION ORDER HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED.

SEE YOU AT THE SUNSET ON MONDAY, JULY 29TH AND TUESDAY, JULY 30TH!

Showtime is 8PM

Tickets are $20.00 - Available Online at the Ticket Tab, or you can send an e-transfer to sunsettheatre@gmail.com

The Running Time of the show is 90 minutes with one intermission

“I’m not going to wear my tooth all the time,” he said. “Only for special occasions.”

A staged reading by Dennis Hawkins-Bogle about his rich experiences in the high arctic.

Former Wells resident and former Wells-Barkerville School principal, Dennis Hawkins-Bogle, brings a staged reading about his rich, challenging and deep experiences while teaching in the high arctic to the Sunset Theatre stage.

Dennis is a storyteller, writer and educator. His career in education took him to Denetia School in Lower Post, the most northerly school in B.C., the Wells-Barkerville School in Wells, B.C., as well as Ummimak School in Grise Fiord, the most northerly school in Canada. Dennis’ stories capture the simple and honest nuances of the human experience. His stories are thoughtful, playful, educational, and full of grace and wonder. Listeners will be embraced by heart-felt stories overflowing with humour, love and compassion set in one of the most extreme living environments on earth. Dennis revels in the beauty and simplicity of truth juxtaposed with beliefs and contradictions of the imagination. Dennis makes his home in Campbell River, B.C. with his husband Stephen, where he walks the dog, does yoga, and cold water plunges in the Salish Sea

And if you don’t, you will also love these stories.

Tickets are $20/each/$18 for Sunset Theatre Members/$10 for Students under 18

THIS PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WILDFIRES. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO HOST SHIRLEY LATER IN THE YEAR, IF POSSIBLE.

WARNING: THIS SHOW IS FOR ADULTS.

A long-time ArtsWells favourite, this multi-award-winning singer and storyteller brings to the stage her all-original, bawdy, in-your-face songs of biting social satire and keen observational humour concerning sexual mores and challenging the stereotypical traditional restrictions faced by women in our culture. Her clever and subversive lyrics go down smooth with her gorgeous vocals, disarming you through topics both provocative and silly. She’s received rave reviews, awards, and sell-out shows in five different countries. She's been featured on CBC’s The Debaters, and her latest release Decoxification was nominated for a Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year 2021.

(This show is adult-oriented, and is 18+)

Tickets: $25.00 for Adults/$22.50 for Sunset Members

“A joyful rebellion against rigid femininity, constrictive sexuality and what it means
to be a ‘lady’”

– She Does The City, Toronto

★★★★★

"The Queen troubadour of intelligent black-comic sex balladry”

– Edmonton Sun

The year: 1996. The location: 11-year-old Megz' basement. The reason: a Grease & Grease 2 marathon party... you're invited! 

Welcome to this one-woman world of whimsy, where Greased-Lightning-meets-Cool-Rider! It's Grease and Grease 2, all smooshed together in a musical love letter where you can be even more what you feel.

Join us for a 70 minute immersive multi-media theatre experience that transports the audience into a world which takes the insular and isolating experience of anxiety and transforms it into a love story.

This is such a delightful show. Come experience a rare wordless performance (with non-coercive audience participation) of real science, delivered by real scientists (who also happen to be actors).

Small Matters Theatre Company are coming to us from Edmonton, Alberta and this show is so great it is back by popular demand. This is a Family friendly show so bring the whole gang.

https://smallmatters.ca/shows/for-science/

Please join us at the Sunset Theatre for the inaugural production of Meadows of Stone, which was created through The Sunset Theatre's Exploration Series with funding from the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

This beautiful brand new musical is written and performed by Amy Lee Newman and Jim Hodgkinson with original music & lyrics by Jim Hodgkinson. Director: Dirk Van Stralen. Stage Manager; Lou Marshall.

This workshop production will run from Thursday, June 13th to Sunday, June 16th.

OPENING NIGHT - Thursday, June 13 @ 8PM

Friday, June 14 @ 8PM

Saturday, June 15 @ 8PM

CLOSING PERFORMANCE - Sunday, June 16 @ 2PM

TICKETS: $20/$18/$10

BUY ONLINE TODAY

Synopsis: Set in the summer of 1918 this brand new musical explores themes of resilience, love and friendship for two people who experience the most exciting chapter in their lives when they least expect it. Inspired by true events, the play tells the story of Valance Maguire and Gabriel Arnott who each join up to try and find loved ones who are missing in action. While in France, their paths cross and they discover a mutual love of music, which leads them unexpectedly to the answers they’ve been seeking.

See you at the Sunset!

We are thrilled to be one of the venues for the showcase portion of Island Mountain Arts’ Northern Exposure Conference, which draws together music and arts industry from rural and urban British Columbia to share ideas and knowledge on the sector, access professional development, and foster growth and support networks. The conference includes a showcase of emerging and professional musicians to ensure more exposure, promotion and support for BC talent and touring.

Northern Exposure recognizes the unique opportunities and challenges faced by those who create, produce or present music in rural settings and the conference aims to explore and address those opportunities and challenges. In rural BC, distances are vast and those working in the music sector often face isolation and a lack of resources. Meeting face-to-face, and with dedicated and intentional time, is vital way to overcome this and build strength in the industry and more opportunities for working artists.

We hope you've all been having a lovely start to 2024! The year that all your Dreams will Soar!

We invite you to join us at the Sunset on Saturday, January 20th for a Screening of BARBIE followed by a Dance Party with music from all of Barbie's many decades

Date: Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Start Time: 7:30PM
Running time of film: 1HR & 54 MIN.
Post film dance party - 9:30PM onwards
Tickets: $10
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive References|Brief Language)

ABOUT BARBIE:

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you're a Ken.

You can reserve your spot by buying your tickets online today:

www.sunset-theatre.com/tickets