Film festival fundraiser tickets on sale

The Northwest Ohio Film Foundation will end ticket sales for its upcoming fundraiser dinner and event to raise funds for the inaugural Van Wert Independent Film Festival (VWIFF) on Monday, April 4. The “Launch” will be held at the Van Wert Banquet and Convention Center, 1109 S. Shannon St., on Saturday, April 9, beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per person and are on sale now at The Pitt Stop (1103 S. Shannon St.), Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce (1199 Professional Drive in Van Wert), The Fort (215 N. Water St.) in Fort Jennings and Westside Carryout (602 W. Wayne St.) in Celina.

Jack Paullus, director of and actor in more than 100 plays in the Van Wert area, will appear as the main host, with further entertainment provided by Eleesha Long of Parkway High School in Rockford and Joelle Steinbrunner of Celina.

A buffet-style dinner will be served and a 50/50 drawing, along with door prizes and raffles, will serve as means to raise proceeds towards funding the film festival. There will also be information provided as to how the community and corporations can get involved with the VWIFF through sponsorships, donations and advertising, including brochures and a video created by Executive Director Len Archibald.

The Northwest Ohio Film Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is the main supporter of the new Van Wert Independent Film Festival. It aspires to raise awareness and funds from around the community to promote the culture of cinema through screenings, workshops, events, networking and the promotion of the future filmmakers and media artists from the northwest Ohio region, with the VWIFF serving as the main event, in hopes of providing an avenue for artists to shine where they may not have had the chance. This includes technical artists, actors, musicians, writers and all movie lovers young and old from around the world.

The Van Wert Independent Film Festival will be held July 7-10 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, with intentions to become an annual event that will bring tourism dollars to the area.

For more information about The Van Wert Independent Film Festival, The Northwest Ohio Film Foundation and the “VWIFF Launch Party” Fundraiser Dinner, contact Archibald or visit the VWIFF website at www.vwiff.org.