Scotchman Peaks group offers free film festival

While brainstorming for ideas on a new event for the Libby-Troy region, Friends of Scotchman Peaks members wanted to come up with something a little different. In the past, the group had organized dinners, summer music gatherings and organizational picnics.

Then, someone thought of the International Wildlife Film Festival & Media Center, located in Missoula.

“We thought this would be another way to go to have people come in and enjoy what turns out to be a free evening of three different features,” Friends of Scotchman Peaks’ Charlie Clough said. “It seemed like a natural … Everybody heard the idea and thought great, ‘let’s do it.’”

The free film festival is coming Friday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m., to the Little Theatre in Libby. Three award-winning films from the International Wildlife Film Festival will be offered:

• “A Mountain Goat’s Story.”

• “Christmas in Yellowstone.”

• “Wolverine, Devil of the North?”

Clough said the titles were recommended but the group did want films that might have a connection to the Scotchman Peaks. Clough said he believes wolverines can be found in the region and mountain goats hold emblematic status. As for the Yellowstone film, it’s a beautiful piece put together that shows that national park’s beauty through natural resources and wildlife – some of the same type of wildlife found in northwestern Montana.

“Some people may have seen ‘Christmas in Yellowstone’ – that’s pretty spectacular,” Clough said. “It was recommended highly and I can see why with the geysers and buffalo with frost all over them. And it’s good, quality video.”

“A Mountain Goat’s Story” takes viewers through the seasons with a nanny and her kid.

Clough hopes people will take advantage of the free event – especially those who need to get out of the house in February.

“I think it will have some local relevance to the folks here,” he said. “As we get to the end of February, this is the time when people get cabin fever.”

Clough said there would be 10-minute intermissions in between films so people can get up and stretch their legs.