Vancouver’s close-up: Film showcase puts spotlight on city, local filmmakers

Vancouver USA might not be known for its thriving film industry, but our corner of Southwest Washington is making its mark on the silver screen. The work of several local production companies will be highlighted at the first Vancouver Film Showcase, 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kiggins Theatre.

Vancouver filmmaker Amanda Goff is the owner of Silver Keys Media, which produced the short film “The Matahari Agency: Seeds of Deception” in association with 7 Form Productions and Blue Sector Media. The film will be screened alongside several other short films, two teasers for feature-length films and three music videos. The aim, said Goff, is to raise the profile of local creative professionals who labor to make movie magic.

“What I really hope audiences walk away with is that there’s a very rich community of creatives and filmmakers that are right here in Clark County,” said Goff.

Silver Keys’ “Matahari Agency” is a “spy vs. spy film,” said Goff, with a “ ’70s vibe.” The plot revolves around a costume shop (in real life, that’s Center Stage Clothiers, owned by Diana Kirkpatrick) from which two spies, unknown to each other, get their disguises. The spies follow their targets around Vancouver, giving filmmakers a chance to highlight several Vancouver landmarks, like the Slocum House, Hidden House and Clark County Historical Museum, Goff said.

When “Matahari” was finished, Goff wanted to do more than show the film at a cast-and-crew wrap party. She wanted to celebrate the wider efforts of Southwest Washington film professionals with a multiproject showcase, providing a platform where local filmmakers can share their stories and gain wider exposure, Goff said.

Other short films to be featured in Thursday’s event include “Born of Myth,” a “vampire-zombie hybrid,” said Goff, produced by Camas-based Blue Sector Media. It’s the first in what will be an episodic series, Goff said. Marble Mountain Films will show teaser scenes from “Legend of the Forest,” a full-length adventure film based on Washington’s favorite cryptid, Sasquatch. Marble Mountain’s other teaser is from “Grave Retreat,” a sci-fi-supernatural mash-up loosely based on a 1960s cult film, “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death.” (Neither film is quite ready for a full screening because they’re still in post-production, Goff said.)

Attendees will also see “Me, No Me,” a short, quirky, silent film about miscommunication by producer and actor Duke Murrdodge. Music videos to be shown include “Don’t Give Up,” produced by 7 Form Productions; “Midnight Morning,” from MMM Productions; and “Daily Grind,” by Second Player Score.

A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the Clark County Historical Museum, Goff said, in appreciation for its help. Museum director Brad Richardson provided pivotal assistance, Goff said.

“He was a key cast member in the film and helped us with the historical pieces that we used to highlight parts of Vancouver,” Goff said.

Goff said Vancouver’s filmmaking community is so extensive that Silver Keys Media didn’t even have to place ads for actors or crew members. They put the word out through a network of local relationships. Costume store owner Kirkpatrick, for example, has deep connections to the area’s film community, Goff said. Vancouver resident Goff said she herself has long-standing ties to Magenta Theatre as well as many local businesses and “celebrities.” (Goff said that viewers should keep an eye out for a cameo appearance by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.)

Goff said she’s expecting a robust turnout. Behind each of the films and music videos is a cast and crew who will attend the showcase with their own constellation of friends, family members and financial backers. Goff is betting that there are also a lot of just plain curious people who want to see what local filmmakers are creating. What Goff and other local filmmakers would really like, she said, is for the Vancouver Film Showcase to become an annual occurrence.

“An annual event like this I think would be really a great celebration in our community,” Goff said.