Third-year Idaho Panhandle Film Festival Returns to Downtown Wallace Apr. 18, 2026

Downtown Wallace will host filmmakers, historians and movie lovers on Apr. 18, 2026, when the Idaho Panhandle Film Festival returns for its third year with a one-day program of screenings and presentations beginning at 9:00 AM at venues including Elks Lodge #331, 419 Cedar Street. Across Bank Street Films organizes the festival, and organizers are encouraging the public to attend events scheduled throughout the day.

Across Bank Street Films lists a sponsor slate that includes the Idaho Silver Shop, Stardust Motel, the Morbeck Foundation, the 1313 Club, Sips and Nibbles and the Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce. Nancy Hanks, a festival organizer, framed one headline presentation by saying, "He’s bringing a collection of stills that really show the visual storytelling behind Train Dreams," and added, "It’s a chance to see how photography deepens the audience’s connection to the film."

Photographer Daniel Schaeffer, identified in festival materials as the still photographer for Train Dreams, will present a curated set of behind-the-scenes stills from that Academy Award–nominated adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella, according to the festival summary published in local coverage. The Schaeffer presentation is billed as a rare look at how still imagery preserves a film’s atmosphere and character.

The festival will also highlight North Idaho’s silent-film heritage with a session on Nell Shipman, described in coverage as "the pioneering filmmaker who established a studio at Priest Lake in the 1920s." Presenters for the Nell Shipman session are Virginia Bogert of Seattle Women and Gwyn Hervochon, an associate professor at Boise State University, and organizers list the session among the day’s scheduled presentations.

ThisWeek North Idaho’s event listing invites filmmakers to submit short films and promotes Wallace’s production history, writing, "Are you an avid filmmaker? or want to be anyway? How about putting your skills to the test and submit your short film to a festival right here in North Idaho this year?" The same listing highlights Wallace’s prior use by major studios, noting Universal Studios’ Dante’s Peak in 1996 and Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate in the 1970s, and adds, "Your winning short film is sure to get some attention!"

Ticketing, full schedules and submission details are available on the festival’s official website and social media pages, with festival contact at acrossbankstreet@gmail.com and phone contacts listed in local event listings as 208-215-7878 and 208-563-1994. Business Wallace and the Wallace Chamber of Commerce provide local event support; the chamber can be reached at (208) 753-7151 at 10 River Street, Wallace. ThisWeek’s event listing carries a standard disclaimer urging confirmation with the event organizer before attending.

Organizers position the festival as a bridge between Hollywood craft and North Idaho history, and Wallace’s downtown program on Apr. 18 will test that claim with public presentations, a short-film slate and community-facing exhibits that include Schaeffer’s Train Dreams stills and the Nell Shipman session.