BendFilm Festival

The BendFilm Festival, now in its 23rd year, runs for five days from Wednesday, October 7, to Sunday, October 11. It features a lineup of 110 independent films, with a particular focus on documentaries, some of which will open and close the festival. Filmmakers from around the region and country are expected to attend, participating in Q&A sessions after their film showings.

This year, the festival honors documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy, who will have two of her films, “The Trial of Alec Baldwin” and “Freefall,” screened. Kennedy is also slated to lead a panel on documentary filmmaking. The festival utilizes multiple screening venues, including Tower Theatre, Tin Pan Theater, Regal Old Mill, McMenamins Father Luke’s Room, Oxford Ballroom, and the WYAM Youth Center in Warm Springs.

Attendees can purchase single tickets, discounted four-packs, or all-access passes which grant entry to all films and special events such as the opening night celebration, social hours, and awards ceremony. The Scalehouse Gallery will serve as the festival hub, box office, and a venue for various free panels throughout the week. These panels, featuring filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals, will cover topics including indie films, documentaries, short films, and film financing and distribution.