BendFilm announced that May 23 is the regular submissions deadline for its 12thFestival. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit as soon as possible to this darling of a festival, which was recently named one of the 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee by Moviemaker Magazine for the third year in a row.
BendFilm is growing in both size and national prestige. In 2014, BendFilm hosted over 125 filmmakers including David Zellner (Kumiko the Treasure Hunter), Leah Meyerhoff (I Believe in Unicorns), Bryon Storkel (Little Hope Was Arson), John Jeffcoat and Tennis Pro (Big in Japan), Anne de Mare (The Homestretch), Blake Robbins (Sublime & Beautiful), Alex Gioulakis (DP Lake Los Angeles and It Follows), Mo Perkins (The Last Time You Had Fun), The Pander Brothers (Subtext) and Michelle Witten (When You Were Mine).
Notable Jurors and special guests in past years have included Gus Van Sant, John Waters, OndiTimoner (DIG!, We Live In Public), Dana Harris (editor in chief of IndieWIRE), Neal Block (Magnolia), Cinematographer Ben Kasulke (Laggies), Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly), Maggie McKay (LAFF), Producer Mel Eslyn (The One I Love), Sharon Badal (Tribecca Film Festival), Audrey Chang (San Francisco International Film Festival), Jon Korn (Sundance) and Oscar-nominated animators Bill PlymptonandMark Gustafson (Oscar-nominated animator).
Moviemaker Magazine included BendFilm on its list of festivals it describes as rising stars. The description reads, “Eighteen percent of submissions were accepted to BendFilm in 2014, which aren’t bad odds at all. Throw in a mountain range backdrop, cash and camera package prizes, a newly established filmmaker residency program and work-in-progress workshop series, and ‘more craft beer, wine and spirits than our 125 visiting filmmakers could drink’ (Todd Looby, festival director).”
BendFilm provides $10,000 in sponsored cash awards as well as a $60,000 Panavision camera package. BendFilm was also recently awarded a large grant from the City of Bend to cover advertising costs and travel costs for special guests and presenting filmmakers.
“From a filmmaker’s perspective, I can’t think of a better festival town than Bend,” said BendFilm director and filmmaker, Todd Looby. “The audiences are enthusiastic and smart. Screenings are well-attended. Our jurors are world-class. We have a $5,000 prize and 10 $500 prizes. The parties are awesome andit’s just one of those cool, beautiful towns that stick with you. And,did I mention the beer? Bend truly is a ‘must-stop’ on the fall festival tour!”