SF, magazine set film school

SANDPOINT — A new Sandpoint Forward initiative promises to put even more outside eyes on the charms of the Panhandle region.

The economic development project is teaming up with Outside Magazine to bring a week-long film school into the community.

The films created during this time will help draw attention to Sandpoint and its substantial natural beauty. In addition, community leaders will be able to use the footage shot over the course of the class to use in promotional materials for the town.

According to economic consultant Mark Rivers, the partnership with Outside Magazine will bring more educational opportunity into town — a reflection of one of the community’s top priorities.

“We started with North Idaho College as one piece to the puzzle that was logical and local,” he said. “Now we’re adding layers to that.”

The class will be overseen by Michael Brown, principal instructor for the Outside Adventure Film School and a three-time Emmy-award-winning filmmaker. Brown will level his expertise with a variety of students, who will point their cameras toward that natural wonderland that makes Sandpoint a favorite destination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts.

“We are excited to bring our film school to Sandpoint and experience the spectacular beauty and energy of a very special community,” Brown said. “From the lakes to the mountains, athletes to enthusiasts, we know there are some great stories to be told from Sandpoint’s unique place in the Northwest.”

Outdoor Adventure Film School instructors typically focus on extreme adventure filmmaking, traveling to areas of great natural beauty and recording the incredible stories that can arise from pursuing a passion. The faculty has the combine experience of more than 50 worldwide filming expeditions with a similar number of film festival and industry awards. Their films have appeared on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, OLN, the BBC and Rush HD, just to name a few.

The films produced throughout the class, which will take place Sept. 8-14, 2013, will be screened for the public Sept. 13 next year at the Panida Theater. As for the class itself, it’s open to the public, with registration available at www.adventurefilmschool.com.

“This is definitely help us introduce more of the outside world to Sandpoint and get our story out there,” Rivers said.