BendFilm celebrates the brave voice of independent cinema through films, lectures and education.
Gift a Membership! Show your love of Indie Film to the ones you love by gifting them a BendFilm Membership! Our members, sponsors and volunteers are the lifeblood of this organization. To show our appreciation, BendFilm is partnering with Bend businesses to offer discounts to Members in addition to the other benefits. Also check our Facebook page to see who wins some swag via the BendFilm “Member of the Month” drawing. You can become a Member or send as a gift today for as little as $50. To sign up use the enclosed envelope or visit our membership button online. http://www.bendfilm.org/support/ membership
Dear Supporters of BendFilm, Happy Holidays! Thank you for your support of BendFilm. Your contribution helped make 2014 a record-breaking year. The 11th Annual Festival entertained our largest recorded audience--a full 15% increase over last year. We hope you enjoyed the show. Our visiting guests most certainly did, and it was because of your hospitality and enthusiasm. Photo by Steven Addington
We hosted over 125 filmmakers and special guests during the Festival. They raved about the intelligent discussions they had with their audience, the fun people they met and the red carpet treatment they received. BendFilm has always been a Festival “By Bend, For Bend” and you inspire us to work even harder on your behalf. 2014 saw some big changes as we welcomed our new Director, Todd Looby, to Bend. It was Todd, along with staff members Kirsten Hostetler and David Penpek, who led the way to this year’s success. Well done! We would also like to thank our exceptional crew of volunteers who tirelessly worked hundreds of hours behind the scenes to create a seamless environment for festival-goers. Photo by Steven Addington
Despite our success, there is so much more we must do. Upcoming projects for 2015 include hiring a programmer, hosting monthly Photo by Karen Cammack screenings in the community, and expanding our educational programs. We are also increasing the benefits provided to our Members. Photo by Steven Addington
“We’ve been on the road with SlingShot since March. Lots of festivals tell us they are all for the filmmakers. Bend said it too and, guys, you mean it! Thanks for everything. “
These exciting new programs also increase our operating budget. We hope you will continue your support as we expand and improve. We are committed to making Bend an even greater place to be and we need your help to do it. Please take a moment to read the enclosed articles about our 2014 highlights and more. Photo by Steven Addington
Thank you again for your continued support of BendFilm. See you in 2015!
- Barry Opper, SlingShot
save the date
12th Annual BendFilm Festival,
Oct. 8-11, 2015!
www.bendfilm.org
Frank Groundwater President, BendFilm Board of Directors
A Record-breaking Year! ● Our Jurors unanimously agreed that Alpsummer showed masterful cinematography, heart and restraint and allowed the characters to tell their own stories in a way few other films do. For that reason, the film took home 3 top awards a first for a documentary.
You helped BendFilm break a few records in 2014, our 11th Edition. 7,600 ticket-holders, pass-holders and volunteers attended screenings. Ticket sales beat the previous record by 10%. The program included 94 films – the most BendFilm has ever programmed! A few other events and firsts we were excited about: ● The Opening Night sellout crowd enjoyed the one-two punch of Jennifer Smieja and Tone Red Trio preceding a crowd-pleasing show of The Winding Stream, followed by a rocking party at The Oxford’s 10 Below. ● The Volcanic Theatre Pub debuted as a BendFilm venue and hosted the Photo by Steven Addington more eclectic offerings of the program such as the world premiere of Tony Kaye’s new documentary.
Photo by Steven Addington
● Ben Perle debuted Business for BendFilm – an effort where 52 Bend businesses each donated $100 to BendFilm. Please support these businesses who support BendFilm: bendfilm.org/support/businesses-for-bendfilm/
“Loved everything about the weekend! I didn’t want it to end.” - Michael Gough, Add the Words ● Business for BendFilm (BFB) covered the cost to help many of our 125 filmmakers attend. We want filmmakers to spend their money on their careers not plane tickets. Thank you, BFB!
Photo by Steven Addington
● We screened films at the Warm Springs reservation for the first time. Tribal Members and BendFilm hope this collaboration will expand filmmaking interest in the region. “I applaud Bend Film for initiating the partnership. These gatherings ignite the imaginations of future filmmakers!” - Alyssa Macy, Commissioner, Oregon Arts Commission.
“Just wanted to thank you for putting on such an amazing festival! We all enjoyed ourselves so much, and we hope there’s occasion to come back again” - Alexandra Gioulakis, Lake Los Angeles ● In another first, BendFilm offered Childcare through a partnership with Bend Montessori to accommodate the film-loving young families moving to Bend. ● We had three accomplished NW filmmakers as jurors: Seattlites, Ben Kasulke and Mel Eslyn and Portland’s Mark Gustafson. By hosting the best of the Northwest each year, we will spark more local filmmaking. To read more, see bendfilm. org/2014-festival/2014-jury
● We screened more works by local filmmakers than in any other year. First-time Director, Karen Mellberg, took home the Best of the Northwest award for her moving documentary, Final Pose. ● Future Filmmakers is back as part of the Festival and Photo by Steven Addington what a showcase of excellent and promising talent it was! (See separate article).
“This was the best film festival experience of my life.” - James Everett, I’ll Be Home Soon ● Our hospitality partners, The Oxford Hotel, Wall Street Suites, the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Lavabelles, donated lodging and over 20 Bend residents generously opened their homes to our filmmakers. Photo by Karen Cammack
Photo by Karen Cammack
● The Loft hosted the Taste American Wine (Story) event where Drew Bledsoe and the Elixir Wine Group featured their best samplings before American Wine Story screened.
“It has been a while since I have had such intelligent discussions with audiences after a screening.”
“Love this fest and I can hardly wait to come back with another film .”
- Leah Meyerhoff, I Believe in Unicorns
- Michelle Witten, Big in Japan, When You Were Mine.
www.bendfilm.org
Spotlight Sponsor
A big thank you to the Starview Foundation for your continued support. You make arts in Central Oregon thrive!
“This Festival makes me so proud to live in Bend” - Kirsten Heinz, owner of Hot Box Betty ● We brought back a Midnight Program at Tin Pan and the Volcanic Theaters to satisfy those with a more experimental taste. These films frightened, entertained and challenged the crowd. ● I Believe in Unicorns director, Leah Meyerhoff, started the now world-wide movement, Film Fatales - a great 2014 Photo by Tina Ellis Panel. The movement aims to overturn the alarming Hollywood gender gap where only 5% of big films and 15% of television shows are directed by women. BendFilm did our part - over 50% of our films had women in key roles.
“You guys treat filmmakers like kings for sure. Thank you for an amazing experience. It was awesome meeting Tony Kaye and many other brilliant artists.” - Daniel Skaggs, Freeload
● We’re still reeling from our closing night party - “Blacksmith After Dark” - where Seattle’s own Tennis Pro – the band from Big in Japan – kept the crowd bobbing to the wee hours of the night.
Photo by Steven Addington
We’re just getting started. Please follow us on Facebook for news about our year-round screenings. And we just added a Central Oregon Film Calendar on our website where you can find great film-related events happening around town. Bookmark it today! www.bendfilm.org/film-calendar/
Join us on First Fridays! Have you seen our new office at 1000 NW Wall St, Suite #260 yet? Well…come on by and say “hi” on the next First Friday Art Walk. We’ll be serving delicious drinks courtesy of Elixir Wine Group. We’ll sell merchandise and memberships and screen some films. Enter a drawing to win cool BendFilm merch!
The Future of Filmmaking is Here! 2015 will bring several new and exciting opportunities to expand our film education and mentorship programs to area youth and even adults. Our signature education program, Future Filmmakers, had a very successful year. Mark Lindow did an incredible job coordinating this, our 9th edition. Chris Photo by Shelly Lindow Choyce won the Jury Award for Camping Misadventures and Mackenzie Hice, won the Audience Award for Technicolor. This year’s event took place during the BendFilm Festival which allowed our aspiring filmmakers to receive valuable feedback from professionals like Jessica Woodbury, producer of Daylight Come: Life After Rape in the Congo. Mark will be back in 2015 and has plans to expand Future Filmmakers’ reach to get more submissions and mentor students through the process of bringing their ideas to life.
www.bendfilm.org
BendFilm and Caldera Arts have sustained a strong partnership since 2006. Caldera Arts’ students submit films to Future Filmmakers each year and Caldera has been a major sponsor for the program. Coming in 2015, BendFilm will host mentoring sessions with Caldera’s students at seasonal meetups. We are thrilled to help Caldera’s wildly successful mission of transforming underserved youth through art. Finally, in a new education initiative, Director Todd Looby is now serving on the Scalehouse Education Committee. Scalehouse is a local organization committed to expanding new ideas, thinking and engagement to all aspects of our community through lectures and the arts. Todd will be leading Scalehouse’s media arts education initiatives, such as the 72-hour shootout this coming June. Central Oregon has every asset needed to become a filmmaking mecca, and BendFilm is proud to use our resources to support the development of tomorrow’s filmmakers. For more about Future Filmmakers, please visit: www.bendfilm.org/bendfilm-kids/
“I’d heard great things about BendFilm Festival from filmmaker friends of mine...I can honestly say my expectations were thoroughly exceeded. Many thanks and congrats to the community of Bend for having a world class film festival.” - Blake Robbins, The Sublime and Beautiful
Congratulations, Brooks Resources!
BendFilm 1000 NW Wall St., Ste. 260 Bend, OR 97701
A huge congratulations to Founding Sponsor Brooks Resources for winning a prestigious (and well-deserved) BCA 10 Award! Americans for the Arts grants this award annually to 10 businesses for their exceptional involvement with the arts that enrich the workplace, education, and the community. Other notable winners were Hallmark Cards and Edward Jones. Thank you, Brooks Resources, for all you do for BendFilm and Arts in Central Oregon. Wow! Read more: http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/bca-10
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID BEND OR PERMIT NO 473
Thank you, Sponsors!
Photo by Steven Addington
Our sponsors contribute almost one-third of the BendFilm budget. We simply could not do this without their help. In return, we hope BendFilm fans frequent their businesses as a show of your appreciation.
FOUNDING PARTNER Brooks Resources PREMIERE PARTNERS The Starview Foundation The Oxford Hotel The Source Weekly tbd Hand in Hand Productions Cascade A&E The Old Mill District
BendBroadBand, Zolo Media and KOHD Visit Bend OPB The Regal Entertainment Group Panavision FESTIVAL PARTNERS Caldera Carhartt Horizon Broadcasting Group McMenamins – Old St. Francis School Smart Solutions Volcanic Theatre Pub Businesses for BendFilm Independent WOMEN for Independent Film
Combined Communications Dr. Andy Higgins Tin Pan Theater The Liberty Theater The Echo Fund Elixir Wine Group The Tower Theatre 1859 Magazine
Oregon Film Office
PRESENTING PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Joolz Restaurant G5 Bend Furniture & Design Bigfoot Beverages Drake Restaurant OMPA Oregon Spirit Distillers Patty & Knute Buehler The Loft
Boneyard Beer
Sony OSU Cascades Ashland Independent Film Festival Skjersaa Group Crow’s Feet Commons Deschutes Brewery Whole Foods Market
Tetherow Bellatazza Bend Modern Eujin Esther Gray Design Paul Scott Gallery Bend Tour Co. Sunny Yoga Kitchen La Magie Stereo Planet Little Bite Cafe
SCREENING PARTNERS
VIEWING PARTNERS
Old Back 9 Wall Street Suites Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites SGA Accountants Central Oregon Magazine
Amerititle
www.bendfilm.org
BLJ Lawyers Commute Options In-Focus Eye Care Lavabelles
Sweet Saigon Worthy Brewing Martha Murray Design Via Delia Hola! Barrio