The North Okanagan will be in the spotlight as a major motion picture is revealed Thursday.
Producer Rick Dugdale says the premiere of Blackway at the Starlight Drive-In will showcase Enderby, Armstrong, Vernon and Lumby.
“The celebrities are the communities,” he said.
Blackway was shot in the North Okanagan in late 2014.
“It’s OK to love your community,” said Dugdale, who grew up in Enderby and is president of Enderby Entertainment.
“Everybody at the premiere will walk the red carpet because they are the special people.”
And to give back to the community, donations for the Enderby food bank will be collected at the gate.
Blackway, which is R-rated, stars Anthony Hopkins, Ray Liotta, Alexander Ludwig and Julia Stiles.
Dugdale won’t say if any of the actors will be at the premiere.
Preparations for the premiere will continue until the gates open at 6 p.m., with the film taking to the big screen at 9 p.m.
“There is a whole team of people involved. The publicity people arrived Monday night,” said Dugdale, who admits he has mixed feelings about the event.
“There is anxiety because people will see the film for the first time. They may not like the movie and that happens every time you show a movie.”
But he is excited about launching the film in his hometown.
“It’s shaping up to be pretty special. It’s the equivalent of the Avengers premiere in Hollywood,” he said.
“It’s a full-blown premiere. It’s going to be a long night. People may not want to go to work Friday.”
Only ticket-holders will have access to the private event and the site can hold 300 cars.
“We don’t mind filling cars up with people but with the after-party, you only get four in,” he said.
Blackway will open June 10 at Vernon Towne Cinema.