JACKSON, Wyo. — After reviewing thousands of films to screen for the Jackson Hole community, the team behind the Jackson Hole International Film Festival (JHIFF) is back in town to exhibit nine movies from Thursday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 15.
JHIFF’s Executive Director Christy Fox and Artistic Director David Nugent spoke with Buckrail about how this year’s festival came together following its inaugural outing last year. Nugent, who holds the same position for the Hamptons International Film Festival, noted that he’s still getting a feel for what Jackson audiences enjoy most.
“It will take a little bit of time but I’ve tried to have a mix of different types of films,” Nugent said. “We had a very politically oriented festival at the Hamptons this year before the election, but we could all use a little break from politics, so there’s less of that in this lineup and more films that I think will speak to the human conditions, speak to friendships and relationships.”
Nugent called opening night film “The Friend” (starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray) a “relatable, moving drama.” He also shouted out the festival’s centerpiece film, “Champions of the Golden Valley,” a documentary about skiers in rural Afghanistan.
“It deals with certain justice issues and current events, but it’s also really a film that celebrates the joy and freedom in skiing,” Nugent said. “It’s really a great character study.”
Fox compared the JHIFF lineup to the international array of artwork on display at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which will host many JHIFF screenings.
“Small festivals like Aspen and other resort festivals are loving the ski films, but in Jackson we are so lucky to be a small town in the West that brings in this international art,” Fox said. She commended Nugent for traveling to film festivals all over the world and selecting the films that will make the most sense for local audiences.
Fox also noted that her team is in touch with the local film exhibition community as they make their decisions.
“We are in communication with as many people who can help us carry on Frank Londy’s legacy as possible,” she said.
Nugent encourages audience members to share their feedback about this year’s selections after they’ve screened.
“For better or worse, people will tell you if they like the films,” he said. “If they do like the films, they’ll be effusive about it. Everyone came up to me and said how much they loved ‘American Fiction’ last year, which was instructive for me. They saw me introduce every single film and people are not shy with the feedback.”
The festival begins Thursday night at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
