By Daily Press staff
A family film about treasure has become a treasure of its own. The Seventh Annual Newport Beach Film Festival will present a line-up of family films from around the world, including the world premiere of The Tillamook Treasure, directed by Santa Monica resident Jane B. Hall.
The Tillamook Treasure is part of the 2006 Family Film Series, which will take place at Edwards Island Cinemas, located in Fashion Island at 999 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 23.
A question and answer session with director Jane Hall and the cast will follow the screening. The Tillamook Treasure is a coming-of-age story that revolves around self-discovery and personal strength in life, and an inspirational movie for young girls. Julie Kimball’s (Suzanne Marie Doyon) adventures and discoveries highlight the most amazing summer of her life.
Filmed in Santa Monica and on location at the Oregon Coast, The Tillamook Treasure follows the adventure of a 14-year-old girl as she searched for a local treasure legend. The movie opens as Julie and her family move to an Oregon seaside town after her dad loses his job. Her parents struggle with his unemployment and their own marital problems. Her Grandpa Jack (Max Gail) and his friend, Standing Elk (Floyd Red Crow Westerman), seem to be the only ones with time for Julie. Julie finds an old Spanish gold coin after a mystical encounter with a huge elk on the beach. Grandpa Jack and Standing Elk tell Julie about the Tillamook treasure legend. The legend talks about Spanish sailors who buried a chest of gold on Neahkahnie Mountain over 300 years ago. The Spaniards killed a slave and buried him with the treasure to frighten the Indians away. The elk becomes her watchful guide as Julie searches for the buried gold and discovers more than she’s bargained for. In the tense climax, Julie’s courage is tested to the maximum as she places herself in great physical danger in order to complete her quest.
The Tillamook Treasure, a Bright Light Studio production, is written and produced the award-winning team of Hall and Richard A Doyon. The film is directed by Hall, with stars Brian McNamara (Arachnophobia, Caddyshack 2), Brian Thompson (X-Files, The Terminator, Dragonheart) and Julia Campbell (Santa Barbara, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion).
Tickets and information are available by calling (866) NBFF-TIX or online at the festival’s Web site www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com. Sitcom of aspring actress lives
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 21, 2006. Read the original PDF.