For these characters, unusual circumstances bring about unexpected connections and realizations.

A grandmother. A source of existence. A portal to other worlds. For thousands of years, the Indigenous Peoples of what is now known as North and South Dakota co-existed reciprocally with the Missouri River, its waters offering life while also inspiring legends and languages. In Tahnaanooku’, filmmaker Justin Deegan takes an experimental approach to the severing of this relationship between his community — the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara — and the river, the result of over 80 years of US government efforts to control the Missouri, including via the Garrison Dam. Seen through the eyes of Deegan’s mother, Darline, Tahnaanooku’ intertwines past, present, and future, land and language, dreams and reality. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/87f41eb1efe3970ce00c0195998b2518.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="189">Justin Deegan is an enrolled member of MHA Nation, where Tahaanooku' was filmed. He identifies as Arikara, Oglala, and Hunkpapa. He is a cinematographer, photographer, and award-winning filmmaker. His work has screened at numerous festivals across Turtle Island, including Sundance, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Lumbee Film Festival, LA Skinsfest, the Phoenix Film Festival, and NatiVisions. Deegan’s work has shown on HBO, NBC, PBS, and the VICE Network, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Indian Country Today and Native News Online.

Tahnaanooku'

An artistic celebration of the environmental activism of Darline Deegan and her efforts protecting the land of her Indigenous community.

A self-isolated young human known as "James" delves into the hidden world of microscopic organisms, forging a tender connection with these nearly invisible creatures and developing a massive online following, as he seeks to understand his own place in the cosmos and accept the scars of his past. A Body Called Life is a film made in collaboration with James, with a screenplay adapted from the verbatim Instagram posts of James, starring James as James, and featuring a charming score by Dan Deacon. Director's Bio: <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/1ceb837fcacd62210ad3dffbcdb502f0.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="169">Spencer MacDonald is a filmmaker born in NYC, raised in San Francisco and currently based in Berlin. His work lies at the crossroads of documentary and fiction, as well as the intersection of humanity and environmental enigmas. His previous film Scarlet Medusa, screened at many international film festivals, including Palm Springs International Shortfest, and the Atlanta Film Festival, where it received honorable mention in the documentary shorts competition. Other films of his have been featured by many publications, including The Atlantic, Nowness, National Geographic, Vice, and Vimeo's "Best of the Year".

A Body Called Life

A self-isolated young human delves into the hidden world of microscopic organisms.

Luke runs into an old flame, Eric, from his previous life of performing in musical theatre. Comparing how both moved on, Luke reveals that Eric was his first and only same-sex relationship. At home with his wife and child we see remnants of his inner heartbreak. Director's Bio: <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/f2bb1122032f8eefc9e3f63b536a5d7f.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="138">Malynda Hale is a singer, actress and activist. She recently starred in the feature film BULL STREET alongside Loretta Devine playing in AMC and Regal theaters throughout the country. She has also had supporting roles in several Lifetime Movie films and has done numerous national commercials. Her music has been featured on The Bold and the Beautiful and on the Disney Channel series Saturdays. As an activist she has appeared on CNN and ABC News Live. Curtain Call is her directorial debut.

Curtain Call

A new father comes face-to-face with an old flame from a different past.

Two baby goths prepare to summon the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe, but a series of unexpected obstacles jeopardize the entire spooky spectacle, and maybe even their friendship. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/824b7fd41c2d59f9814da671c51b917f.png" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="184">Andrea A. Walter (she/they) is a Nonbinary British Filipino filmmaker whose work premiered at SXSW, Inside Out, LAAPFF, CAAMFest, HIFF, etc. and can be streamed on Hulu, Apple TV, Netflix, and Amazon. Andrea is currently under the mentorship of Lilly Wachowski.

im in love with edgar allan poe

Two goth besties search for chicken innards for a ritual to resurrect Edgar Allan Poe.

After an argument, best friends Jasmine and Iben lose sight of each other at the beach. Jasmine meets up with the girls. Iben hooks up with Jonas, the boy she is crazy about. Later on, the seemingly shy boy Oscar has an unpleasant run in with Iben. When both of them are left behind by their friends, one of them makes a friendly gesture and they soon realise that they are dealing with similar issues. The summer night doesn’t turn out like they had expected but leads to an experience that might be the beginning of an unexpected relationship. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/0a55463580d74f4da90bbd39492ded34.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="253">Eivind Landsvik is a writer and director from Oslo, Norway. He started out making music videos with a focus on storytelling combined with a sensitive visual language. He soon made his way into fiction, making short films. Landsvik has developed a personal take on coming-of-age stories that often revolves around themes such as identity and loneliness. His short film Sofia, Last Summer (2021) won the film critics award at the Norwegian Short Film Festival. Eivind is currently developing his first feature film.

Tits

Following an unpleasant run in at the beach, teenagers Oscar and Iben are left behind by their friends.

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2024 Bend Film Festival Passes

Please note, this year there will only be select short films available in the Virtual Festival, all feature length films will be exclusively available during the In-Person Festival (Oct. 10-13th)! 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!

Join us for the 21st Annual Bend Film Festival. Screening virtually November 8th - 18th, 2024

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.