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Tryon International Film Festival officials visit potential sister cit

TRYON—A group of Tryon residents are currently in Switzerland to expand the Tryon International Film Festival and to discuss creating a sister city with the City of Gstaad. 

Robert Lang, Crys Armbrust, Beau, Ashely and Miles Menetre, Carri Bass and Marty Kirchhof left last week and will be returning on Wednesday. 

TRIFF’s Kirk Gollwitzer said they are bringing the movie Foster Boy, which is set to be in theaters all over, to Gstaad. The group is also meeting to start a sister festival in Gstaad as well as for Tryon to start a sister city with Gstaad. 

“We also are sending a group to Gstaad to kick off the film and talk to the umbrella organization of the festival, Innocence in Danger,” Gollwitzer said. 

Tryon Commissioner Armbrust and Lang went to Switzerland representing the town to work towards a sister city relationship with Gstaad. 

“Having a sister festival in Gstaad broadens our footprint in a big way,” Gollwitzer said. 

Homayra Sellier is Tryon’s contact point in Switzerland as she has been a judge and advisor for the local TRIFF since the first year. 

Tryon’s film festival last year played Foster Boy, with star actor Matthew Modine visiting Tryon for the festival. Foster Boy was screened in Gstaad on Saturday while the TRIFF people were there. 

Foster Boy was produced by Shaquille O’Neal and written by attorney Jay Paul Deratany about corruption in foster care. 

TRIFF 2020 is scheduled for Oct. 9-11, presented by prime sponsor New View Realty. The festival is held in downtown Tryon and is beginning its 6th year.