AIFF2016: Sugar Mountain Opens Festival Friday At Bear Tooth

I don't know much about this film, but it takes place in Alaska and looks like it was filmed here.  [Festival description says in Seward and other Kenai Peninsula spots.]

Opening nights used to spotlight one of the films in the festival.  That seemed unfair to competing films and for the last three or four years (maybe longer) opening night has featured a film not in the competition, but having something to do with Alaska.  Some have been very powerful - I'm thinking particularly of documentaries - and others have been movies that simply took place in Alaska, but otherwise I probably wouldn't have watched or missed much.  On the other hand, this looks like a film that is likely to get some folks who normally wouldn't go to the festival to come.  And you're sure to recognize places you know in the film.

Here's the plot from Teaser/Trailer:  (Look for the Alaska mistake in the synopsis)

SUGAR MOUNTAIN Truth gets lost.
 Plot synopsis: “Deep in debt to a local thug (Jason Momoa), Miles (Drew Roy) persuades his girlfriend Lauren (Haley Webb) and brother Liam (Shane Coffey) to help fake a disappearance in the Alaskan wilderness. While the town works together to find Miles, the local sheriff (Cary Elwes) begins to suspect foul play. As he closes in on the truth, Liam struggles to conceal the hoax, and in the process exposes a secret that rocks him and Lauren to the core. Now the two are struggling to stay one step ahead of a sadistic thug and the tenacious cops before Miles is gone for good.”
Tomorrow night we'll find out where Sugar Mountain fits in.  Either way, opening night at the festival is always fun and it's a chance to start meeting all the film makers in town.  Anchorage folks don't need to be shy (and usually aren't) and the film makers appreciate hearing from the viewers and locals who can give them tips on what to do while they're in town.

Did you find the Alaska error?  Look again.  If no one puts it into the comments, I'll add to this post later.

Actors include Drew Roy,  Haley Webb, Shane Coffey,  Jason Momoa,  and Cary Elwes.

Here's the trailer.  says the movie opens December 9, 2016, so we're a week ahead of the opening.




Film plays at 7pm.  Bear Tooth.  This is a pricey film - $25, while the others are $8 - but it's the opening night, a bit of a fundraiser for the festival, and there's a party after.   And the filmmakers and cast members will be on hand.  The price is waived for this gala if you buy a film festival pass ($120).