ODDITY ON SCREEN. Black Kettle Tea Shoppe and The Beyond, two small businesses in downtown Eau Claire, have joined forces to co-present their own "short film fest" this summer. Any genre of film can be entered into the short film festival, with a submission deadline of June 13. (Image via Facebook)

With the continued growth of independent film festivals and moviemakers in the Chippewa Valley, two area small businesses – who share an affinity for the oddities and curiosities – have teamed up to share a curated selection of cinematic works.

Black Kettle Tea Shoppe and The Beyond, both located in downtown Eau Claire, will join forces to co-present their own “short film fest” this summer on June 27.

“Have you always wanted to show your film to a wider audience? Now’s your chance,” Brianna Vodvarka, the owner of Black Kettle Tea Shoppe, shared with viewers online last fall.

Then, the small-scale film festival’s timing and location were still uncertain for the two organizers, Vodvarka and Adam Stiglich, owner of The Beyond.

As of this month, they have unveiled the short film fest's venue: 6 Feet Under, the spooky third space located within Black Kettle Tea Shoppe (217 Barstow St., Eau Claire).

For regulars of the “bootique,” it will come as no surprise to see this visual art space become yet gathering spot – for film and cinema. Since opening up last year, 6 Feet Under has hosted several art gatherings and movie screenings each season. Those events now take place every second Thursday of the month, according to UW-Eau Claire's student newspaper, The Spectator.

At the forthcoming film festival, both those who submitted works and other community members are welcome to come together for a viewing event that will also feature soon-to-be-revealed happenings.

Any genre can be accepted into the short film festival, Vodvarka said.

While she will be coordinating the event space and other immersive offerings in June, Stiglich will be reviewing submissions in the coming months.

“Since it is our first year doing it, we’re not sure what the turn out will be yet,” Vodvarka noted.

The submission deadline is June 13. Submissions can be dropped off in person at The Beyond (218 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire), Black Kettle Tea Shoppe or via email at thebeyondec@gmail.com.

6 Feet Under, the companion venue to Black Kettle Tea Shoppe, pictured above.

For more information new updates on the “short film fest” – presented by Black Kettle Tea Shoppe and The Beyond in Eau Claire – follow the two businesses’ respective social media platforms (@blackkettletea; @thebeyondeauclaire).