Allyson Ballard reports from the Coupeville Town Council meeting of Tue., July 22, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Cameras will soon be rolling again on Central Whidbey.
On Tuesday, the Coupeville Town Council unanimously passed a motion to approve street closures from 7-11 a.m. Sept. 8-10, allowing Van Allen Cooper, writer and director, and Dale Schomer, executive producer, to shoot their feature-length film, “Mistakhan.” Front Street will be closed from North Main Street to Alexander Street, as will Alexander Street from Front Street to Coveland Street.
Additional filming not requiring road closures is planned for Sept. 10 at the Town Green outside the Coupeville Library, where overflow parking for cast and crew will also be provided.
They Said It
According to Mayor Molly Hughes, the filmmakers originally inquired about street closures lasting up to two weeks about a year ago. When they approached the council more recently, Deputy Clerk Chris Jolly said, they did so through the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, asking for three days of filming limited to early mornings instead.
At a chamber meeting Tuesday morning, Cooper and Schomer gave a presentation about their project which made clear their intentions to support the local economy, Hughes said…. “(The filmmakers) understand that they need to support the community when they’re providing a little bit of disruption,” Hughes said.
In an effort to mitigate the effects of the closures, the mayor’s office sent a letter to businesses and residents in the area informing them of the forthcoming disruptions so they may plan accordingly. Hughes pointed out most businesses affected by the street closures do not open until 11 a.m., however.
On the final day of filming, Hughes added that the filmmakers are planning a crowd shot “they’re going to hire local extras for.”
On the Ballot in November 2025
| TOWN OF COUPEVILLE |
|---|
| Councilmember Position 4 Evan Henrich. Incumbent Michael Moore did not file for another term. |
| Councilmember, Position 5 Kristo Allred Brandon Roos Incumbent Pat Powell did not file for another term. |
