The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema (IIFC) began in 2009. And the Town Crier reported, “With the critical linchpin of Rustic Theatre owner Shane Stewart’s cooperation, Idyllwild began preparing for a full-fledged film festival, the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema from Jan. 11 through 16, 2010. ‘The Rustic was key,’ said Festival Director Stephen Savage. ‘Without the venue there would be no festival.’”

This marks the 15th anniversary of the IIFC. It has grown from 60 films in the first year to more than 100 this year.

But 2025 may see major changes for the IIFC, according to Savage. Again, Stewart is in the middle of one of them while the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, also known as the Film Academy, sponsor of the annual Oscars awards, may instigate the second change.

Several weeks ago, Savage received a call from Stewart, who told him, “The festival can get bigger now; take the next step.”

According to Savage, Stewart and another major Idyllwild property owner, Dave Butterfield, have bought the former Tahquitz Pines camp. Among the many renovations is the construction of three screening rooms and a theater with capacity for 400 people.

“This will definitely allow for more films. We were missing a very good venue,” Savage exclaimed. “Shane has always been a supporter of the festival. He’s community minded and the IIFC has always been a part of the thousands of things he does.”

IIFC will need the expanded room if the Film Academy does grant the festival accreditation as a short-film, Oscar-qualifying film festival.

“That should up the ante,” Savage stated. He has been pursuing this opportunity for several years and feels like it is coming now. This is one reason there are more short films to be shown this year.

Savage estimates that this status could bring 600 to 800 submissions for 2025, thus doubling the number of films to be shown.

“People are surprised how small we are now since Hollywood talks about the Idyllwild festival,” he noted. “We have the ability for young filmmakers to come and meet people one-on-one and learn and sell …

“The town was so excited by the first festival and beyond. Every screening is full of people. The festival pays for itself,” he added.

IIFC brings filmmakers and viewers to Idyllwild. The town and residents respond with enthusiasm and open hearts. Savage noted that 15 to 16 film industry people have bought homes in Idyllwild after the attendance at the IIFC.

“Idyllwild is what Sundance used to be,” he added. “We’ve never lost the magic in 15 years.”