The cast and crew of, Lunar Sway (2026), an independent feature film shot in the Thompson-Nicola region, are returning for special screenings in Kamloops and Cache Creek this month.
The film was shot in September 2024 across Cache Creek, Spences Bridge and Ashcroft to create the background of the fictional desert town Mooncrest.
The Kamloops screening will take place at The Paramount Theatre on Nov. 13, followed by a question-and-answer session with writer, producer and director Nick Butler. Also participating in the Q-and-A will be actress Liza Weil, known for her role as Paris Geller in Gilmore Girls, and actor Kaden Connors, from Heated Rivalry.
“I think it’s fantastic to be able to showcase a film that’s been made here locally and is making its rounds on the festival circuit,” Terri Hadwin, the Thompson Nicola film commissioner, said. “It really goes to show that things can be made here 100 per cent and with a lot of local talent.”
This queer dark-comedy follows a young man named Cliff, played by Noah Parker, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he reconnects with his estranged birth mother, played by Weil. This reunion sets Cliff on a journey of self-discovery as he becomes involved with his birth mother’s con-artist lifestyle.
Lunar Sway won best narrative feature at the Santa Cruz Film Festival. It has also been screened at various international film festivals since it premiered at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival in March of this year.
Lunar Sway is Nick Butler’s second feature film, following The Legacy of Cloudy Falls in 2024. The Canadian filmmaker is also known for his work in casting on a wide variety of projects.
The Thompson-Nicola region played a central role
According to Hadwin, Butler was already familiar with the region from previously spending a few years on a nearby farm. He decided to return to take advantage of the desert landscape for his film.
Some crew members travelled from Ontario, but Butler also made a point to hire local talent. Among them was Mavourneen Varcoe-Ryan who appears in the film as the Egg Collector or Egg Lady.
Although Varcoe-Ryan only spent half a day on set, she said “when it’s a small independent film like that, it does feel very personal.”
Corey Rajala, the operations manager at the Paramount Theatre, also worked on the production as second assistant director.
“I feel like movies are the ultimate art form,” said Rajala. “It brings together all of these artists in their own professional way, and they all get to collaborate in this one giant project.”
Varcoe-Ryan said having movies like Lunar Sway filmed in the Thompson Nicola Regional District is a great way to show off “the unusual and interesting geographic area.” She hopes seeing the region on the screen will encourage more of the general public to partake in film productions and support them when they come around.
The local film industry
Beyond showcasing the region’s landscapes, Hadwin said attracting film productions into the region can stimulate economic growth and help build up the industry.
It was estimated that film production would contribute approximately $5 million to the regional economy.
Hadwin said developing the region’s film industry is important, alongside attracting productions from elsewhere. She added that these events are important not only for the audience, but for the cast and crew to be able to see first-hand how their creation impacts the audience.
She was excited to be able to bring Lunar Sway back to the region for screenings because of the importance of showing queer, local and independent films.
“We don’t all just love block busters,” said Hadwin. “I think to be well rounded individuals, we need to feed our brains all kinds of things.”
For Rajala, who worked behind the scenes on Lunar Sway and will now help welcome it to the Paramount Theatre, the screening brings the experience full circle.
“It’s just going to be a fun event,” said Rajala. “We want everybody to be there for this amazing opportunity, to meet some amazing people and to watch their amazing movie.”
The cast and crew will make their way to Cache Creek for another screening on Nov. 14.