The Columbia Gorge International Film Festival just got an infusion of star power. Academy Award-winning executive producer Tom Nunan will speak at noon on Aug. 21 at the free festival, which continues through Aug. 22 at the Vancouver Convention Center at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.
Los Angeles-based Nunan, past president of NBC Studios and the former United Paramount Network (UPN), executive produced independent films such as the Oscar-winning drama “Crash” and the 2006 film “The Illusionist,” starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel. He is founder of Bull’s Eye Entertainment, a mid-sized independent television and film production company.
Nunan, 47, wants independent filmmakers to realize their projects can get distribution and achieve commercial success. He’ll discuss ways to jump from creating films only friends and family see to making movies that attract a wide audience.
“A lot of filmmakers can find ways to get their movies made, but it’s harder to get them seen,” he said.
Festival organizer Breven Angaelica Warren, a 31-year-old filmmaker with Washougal ties, reached out to Nunan through a mutual colleague. “I’m a big supporter of the Portland and Seattle film scene, so I said I’d be happy to come up,” Nunan said.
