BendFilm is heading to Sisters this fall

BendFilm '09: "A Celebration of Independent Cinema" is coming to Sisters, October 9-11, for three days of screenings, parties and special events.

For the first time in its six-year history, BendFilm is expanding into Sisters. Events will feature an Opening Night Gala at Sisters Movie House, followed by a Post-Screening Bash at Three Creeks Brewing Co. with live music and dancing, and a Saturday program filled with cutting edge features, student shorts, documentaries and animation. On Sunday, a "Best of BendFilm" matinee will showcase a lineup of festival award winners.

Terri Mintz, BendFilm's Director of Operations, thinks Sisters is a perfect match for the festival and hopes it will continue to grow and develop over the years, becoming as integral a part of the community as it is in Bend.

"There's so much positive energy this year, and we expect it to be the best BendFilm ever," she said. "A huge aspect of that is the overwhelming response and support of the Sisters community as we embrace them for the first time. It's a natural fit. Sisters has a diverse and sophisticated viewing audience with a capacity for absorbing a wide variety of ideas and images."

The full festival schedule begins October 8 with a Kick-Off Premiere and Bash at Bend's historic Tower Theater. Many of the lectures and events will be exclusive to Bend but there will be some overlap with Sisters. Mintz encourages everyone to also plan on attending a few special screenings and Q & A sessions with the filmmakers in Bend, in addition to the scheduled festivities in Sisters.

Named one of MovieMaker magazine's "20 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee," the BendFilm festival annually features more than 80 independent films, lectures, and dynamic special events for cinephiles of all ages.

Tickets and festival passes will be available online and at various locations around Sisters later this fall. Keep your eyes open for BendFilm posters and films at Sisters Movie House this summer.

Many volunteer positions still need to be filled, and a multitude of generous sponsors and donors are required to make this event happen. Those interested may become a member of BendFilm for $50 a year at the "Indie Fan" level ($40 for students).

Currently, submissions are flowing into the BendFilm offices and the selection committee is busy screening films hoping to make the grade for the official festival lineup. For more information, visit BendFilm.org or call 388-3378.