BendFilm hosts an annual independent film festival which runs October 10-13, 2019 offering four days of inspiring independent cinema, panels and parties. BendFilm also offers year-round film exhibitions and programs and is the new owner of the Tin Pan Theater. The Festival venues for 2019 are The Oxford, McMenamins – Old St. Francis, Regal Cinemas, The Volcanic Theater, Cascades Theatrical Company, and the historic Tower Theatre.
BendFilm heads into this year’s festival celebrating their 16th Anniversary and capturing accolades from MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals In The World”. This honor comes just months after BendFilm was listed as one of the “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee.” Great job BendFilm and we can’t wait for this year’s event which starts today!
This year’s Festival will present 25 feature films, 70 short films, 30 pre-screening mini concerts and 10 panel discussions. Legendary director Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, Tin Cup) is a confirmed guest. See the full lineup of films, speakers, live music, parties and special events happening at this year’s Festival.
In May 2019, BendFilm bought the Tin Pan Theater, a 30-seat movie house in downtown Bend. The Tin Pan Theater opened in 2012, screening newly released art-house and foreign films. Since 2013 the Tin Pan Theater has served as the only area theater showing independent films year-round. The Tin Pan will continue to screen new indie fare, while also having BendFilm’s considerable festival library at its disposal.
BendFilm has selected Christine Vachon for IndieWomen of the year award highlighting Vachon’s career as a Producer at the 2019 Festival. BendFilm will recognize Vachon for her tireless work to foster diverse voices in independent film and her bold vision to champion stories that steer outside the mainstream by screening three films she helped launch: Carol, First Reformed, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Vachon has produced Kimberly Peirce’s Boys Don’t Cry, Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland’s Still Alice and Todd Haynes’ Carol, I’m Not There and Far from Heaven.
One way to support BendFilm is through IndieWomen which celebrates the brave and Inspiring work of women filmmakers at the BendFilm Festival and beyond. IndieWomen was founded by the late Pamela Hulse Andrews as a way to strengthen the bonds of leading women in the arts and business and to support filmmakers at the BendFilm Festival. Each year Andrews enlisted the support of 100 women to donate $100 to support women filmmakers at the BendFilm Festival.
Brooks Resources is a founding sponsor of the Festival and a proud supporter of BendFilm since 2003. BendFilm is made possible by a dedicated crew of hard working staff, volunteers and generous sponsors. For more information, call (541) 388-3378 or visit BendFilm for films, events, membership, sponsorship and donation opportunities.
