3rd annual Okanagan Wildlife Film Festival returns in May

The third annual Okanagan Wildlife Film Festival returns next month.

The event serves as an important fundraising campaign for Summerland’s wildlife centre and all funds raised this year will help the centre purchase a new portable wildlife x-ray machine.

On Friday, May 17, the “Wild About Spring Film Festival” will feature several award-winning wildlife short-films along with a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

“This year’s feature film is the IMAX documentary “Beavers- The Biggest Dam Movie You Ever Saw, a timeless masterpiece of Canadian cinematography”, said director of fundraising Stacy Wolfenden.

“We’re excited to bring this unique community event to Kelowna this year, getting together nature-lovers over a glass of local wine in of support Interior Wildlife’s efforts to rehabilitate and release injured or displaced wildlife in our valley.”

The film lineup includes human-wildlife coexistence doc “Living with Wildlife” by L. Allison as well as daily life at a Saskatoon rehab centre called “Staying Wild TV” by J. Kripki.

Some of the items that will be available through the silent auction include:

• BC getaways and experiences (Fishing Charter out of the Kelowna Yacht Club)

• Artwork

• Wildlife photography

• White gold lotus flower pendant and chain with a diamond accent from J.K. Schmidt

• Wellness and shopping gift cards

• Gift baskets stuffed full with everything from local wine and craft beer

• A Redbird Swag and beer Gift pack

• Health & beauty products

• Rock climbing gym punch cards

• A SUP paddle board

Minimum bids start at 30% of retail value and these range from 15$ - 1500$, says a news release.

Co-founder and veterinary technician Eva Hartmann knows the high price-tag of an x-ray machine means they will have to run several fundraisers to reach their goal, but she expects a “significant improvement of wildlife care once we are able to afford one.”

Tickets for the event cost $30 and are available at the Rotary Centre for the Arts box office or can be purchased online.

Doors open at 5:30 pm for the auction and bar with films starting at 6 pm.