Leavenworth, Cashmere featured at Seattle International Film Festival

SEATTLE – Cashmere and Leavenworth hit the big screen as “Evergreens,” an independent movie that filmed in upper valley locations last summer, made its debut at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) on May 19.

“It was always the dream to premiere here with friends and family, and most of all, who the movie's for, which is the people of the state of Washington,” said “Evergreens” writer and director Jared Briley.

The feature length film explores young love, self-discovery, and family bonds through the experience of two young strangers, Eve and James, who find themselves on a road-trip across Washington state.

The Spokane-based filmmaker describes his work as “a love letter to Washington,” showcasing some of his favorite places to visit while growing up in the state. The cast and crew spent 18 days filming the road trip last summer, spending time in Spokane, Grand Coulee, Cashmere, Leavenworth, Index, Seattle and Olympic National Park.

Iconic Leavenworth landmarks naturally made the cut, such as Blackbird Island, the Nutcracker Museum, Front Street, and Das Thrift Shoppe, but when the main characters run into car trouble, a setting more versed with locals became an unsuspecting star: Icicle Valley Automotive.

“A guy came in here and told me and Jesus [Herrera], ‘You think there’s a chance we could record a movie in there?’” said co-owner Roberto Granados. “One person recommended [it] because it's the best shop in the town.”

Unsure of what to think, the shop owners said yes, moved the cars the night before, and hung out to help production with the space.

“They were so accommodating…and so kind. And we couldn't have found a better location,” said Producer Mary Russell.

While awaiting a car repair, the two main characters find themselves immersed with the locals inside Cashmere’s Outpost Saloon, exchanging help for a place to stay, and eventually befriending the owners, Kathy and Larry.

“When I walked in, I was like, oh my God, it's perfect…It was the perfect setting for that," said Doug Dawson, who played Larry. “It was a great place to film.”

While the upper valley locations made their way to the big screen, the locals played an equally important role behind the scenes. The movie’s production crew, in partnership with Washington Filmworks, worked with the City of Leavenworth and Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce to coordinate filming locations, logistics, and accommodations. The Outpost Saloon owner helped arrange trucks for orchard scenes and catered lunch for the cast and crew. 

Local participation not only played a role in highlighting the state’s gems, it also spoke to the uniqueness of the film’s production, as it was created almost entirely by Washingtonians. Northwest Package, a Spokane-based company, produced the film using cast and crew primarily from Spokane and Seattle. 

“It was people who live in Washington, who care about Washington. You could just tell the crew, being homegrown, cared about where they were filming, and that comes across on the screen too,” said Russell.

Due to its localized nature, the production was supported by Washington Filmworks, a private nonprofit organization whose mission “is to create economic development opportunities by building and enhancing the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of Washington State’s film industry."

The project received funding through the organization’s Small Budget Production Initiative, which supports Washington state filmmakers with projects budgeted under $1 million. It also includes an additional 10 percent back on in-state expenditures for filming at least 50 percent of its production in rural areas. According to Briley, the organization funded about a third of the film’s budget. 

“We're hoping that these are kind of the first few of what's going to be a lot of Washington filmmakers doing projects that [Washington] Filmworks is supporting,” said Briley. “It’s really something for every local filmmaker, whether they're doing their first short film, or they're doing their first feature. It's hopefully inspiring to know we were in their shoes just recently.”

According to Briley, the film will head to three to four more festivals this year, which have yet to be announced. If it’s not sold by November, it will be sold at the American Film Market.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media