PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE KANAB FILM FESTIVAL & FOOD FRENZY!
Being that I’m a big admirer of cinema as both a grand source of entertainment and as the ultimate art form, film festivals greatly appeal to me. I’ve been attending Sundance for nearly 3 decades and I’ve even had the opportunity to aid in bringing a couple of film festivals to fruition through the years but I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting movie showcases to attend.
While Utah has no shortage of wonderful festivals to choose from, I thought I’d take a moment to focus on the Kanab Film Festival as it’s about to embark on its 4th consecutive outing in lovely Kane County.
While certainly a little out of the way, that’s one of its biggest charms. It should also be noted that Kanab is sort of the Tinsel Town away from Tinsel Town and in fact, due to serving as a backdrop to a handful of noteworthy film productions through the years (“The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Planet of the Apes,” and “John Carter of Mars” among them), Kanab has even often been referred to as “Little Hollywood.”
It seems only fitting that Kane County would eventually become home to its very own film festival. It’s just surprising that it took so long for it to happen. The brainchild of Jeff and Britt Roth–with a big-time assist from The Independent’s own Josh Warburton during its inaugural year in 2019– the recently rebranded Kanab Film Festival & Food Frenzy might be one of the best-kept secrets in the state. And if the upcoming lineup is any indication, it’s not likely to be a secret for much longer.
With an outstanding lineup consisting of a wide range of shorts and features, the Kanab Film Festival & Food Frenzy will also treat badge holders to a wide range of incredible food options over the course of 4 unforgettable days. Additionally, this festival will offer filmmaker workshops with guests including editor Jay Wade Edwards and Steadicam Operator Rey Reyes. Beyond that, there will be hikes, bicycle tours, an awards ceremony, live music, and after-parties. What’s more, fans of edgier fare will have an opportunity to enjoy a special film block called Kanab Gets Dark which will be held at Moqui Cave! That’s right! Scary movies presented in a cave! Yes…It’s even cooler than it sounds!
And all of the festivities will be set to the backdrop of a truly gorgeous area.
Of course, there’s a reason Kanab Film Festival & Food Frenzy is building such an amazing reputation and it goes far beyond the films, the parties, the sights, and the special guests. It’s because the Roths are wonderful people and have created a warm, professional, and inviting atmosphere that could be best described as “chill.” And this is to say nothing of the loving community that this not-to-be-missed festival calls its home.
The Kanab Film Festival & Food Frenzy will take place from Thursday, April 21st thru Sunday, April 24th at a few locations throughout Kanab with the central screening hub being the Redstone Theater at 29 W. Center Street. VIP passes are officially sold out but there are 4-day badges, single-day passes, and student single-day passes still available at kanabfilmfest.com.
If you’re a movie-goer and or an adventure-seeker looking for something exciting to do this April, I highly recommend this festival!
For more on the Kanab Film Festival & Food Frenzy, click here!
Watch for our “5 MUST-SEE FILMS FROM THE 2022 KANAB FILM FESTIVAL & FOOD FRENZY” coming soon!
