In a world where Black men have wings and their first flight is a rite of passage, Akil must defy fears, insecurities, and societal barriers while discovering his perfect launch into manhood. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/4eb4e7b527457fe042d1a15816166cbb.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="121">Tari Wariebi is an award-winning, first-generation Liberian-Nigerian American filmmaker and AFI Conservatory Directing alum. Tari’s work as a director has afforded him the opportunities to create original content for various media platforms, such as VEVO, Vice, Goodwill Industries, and Vogue, garnering millions of views for these platforms. As a writer, Tari has been a quarterfinalist at the Slamdance Screenplay Competition, ScreenCraft Film Fund quarterfinalist, and WeScreenplay Finalist. Additionally, Tari has directed the pilot for the WarnerMedia OneFifty TV series entitled “Remember,” starring Bernard David Jones.&nbsp;Currently, Tari is working on a remake of the film Perfect Strangers, written by and starring Issa Rae and produced by Spyglass and Hoorae.

We Were Meant To

Akil, an African American teen, has wings and one goal: to take his first flight.

A Ukrainian mother, working in Poland, anxiously waits for word that her family has crossed the border to escape the war. When she receives the call, the devastating realities of the situation hit home. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/6faa17234400b94522dfe474bf604570.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="121">Klaas Diersmann is an award-winning filmmaker who crafts stories with an immersive quality. Receiving a Young Director Award in Cannes and screening his films internationally at Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festivals, Klaas is passionate about changing perceptions, challenging norms, and raising awareness of important issues; with his work touching on everything from mental health to artificial intelligence and tech obsession. He is a member of BAFTA Connect 2023.

A Day in February

In another country, separated from her family, one phone call is all Galyna has to ensure their safety.

Fearing for her safety, Joyce seeks shelter in a nearby supermarket, where she’s forced to make a decision about the future of her relationship. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/9ea3687d4c0951619312088b0bae5071.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="135">Cassidy Batiz is a Mexican-American filmmaker born in Missouri and raised in Texas. She is currently pursuing an MFA in film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She holds a BFA in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to filmmaking, she worked as an archivist. She has a passion for women’s narratives and stories based on real events. Big Lot is her directorial debut.

Big Lot

While seeking shelter in a nearby supermarket, a young woman must make a decision about the future of her relationship.

In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil and face a new future. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/fb1e600c5d03dcd4a8ef2a13c3bdcdfd.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="156">Elham Ehsas is an award-winning writer and director, originally from Kabul, Afghanistan. His work in Film and TV is characterised by its stylish, cinematic approach and thought-provoking storytelling. Elham was BAFTA-longlisted in 2019 for his first short film&nbsp;Our Kind of Love, which is now on 3.1 million views on Youtube. He is also part of BAFTA Connect, a prestigious three year mentorship with BAFTA.&nbsp;

Yellow

After the Taliban takeover, an Afghan woman must face a new future.

As a child in India, Vishavjit witnesses an anti-Sikh genocide and hopes to one day return to the safety of the United States, where he was born. But when he gets the chance as a young man, he finds that even in the land of his birth, he is treated as an outsider. Torn between his religious and national identities, he goes on a journey to find himself. A journey that is once again challenged in the aftermath of September 11th. Unwilling to give up his identity, but frustrated by the blatant hate he faces on a daily basis, Vishavjit decides to respond in a unique way - by dressing up as a superhero. In so doing, even to his own surprise, he's able to flip the terrorist stereotype on its head, find acceptance, and show the world who he really is. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/3af646ae353ece38c649555c74056284.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="170">Ryan Westra is a Los Angeles-based Director/Cinematographer and Vishavjit Singh is a New York-based illustrator, writer, performance artist, TEDx speaker and DEI advocate. Vishavjit Singh and Ryan Westra are the creative partners behind American Sikh, an animated documentary capturing Vishavjit's story as a turban and bearded Sikh man in post-9/11 America.

American Sikh

The animated true story of a turban-wearing American who overcomes a lifetime of hate by becoming a new superhero: Sikh Captain America.

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2023 Bend Film Festival Passes

 Explore our on-demand catalog here. And don't forget to check out what's playing at the Festival's in-person screenings (click "Back..." above).   If you are having any problems streaming, some films are 'geoblocked' to areas outside of Central Oregon. If you live in Central Oregon and are still getting geoblocked, click “Need Help?” above, scroll down to "Live Chat," and ask for access to the film. Thank you, All!

Join us for the 20th Annual BendFilm Festival. Screening virtually October 16-22, 2023

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.