The Best Fest in the Northwest

To try and describe the exact vibe of the Bend Film Festival is nearly impossible because no two have ever been the same…and I should know because I’ve seen at least one movie at every fest since the first one in 2003. That year, I sat in a frigid Midtown Ballroom and watched a midnight screening of Ti West’s 2005 debut, “The Roost” and fell in love with the Bend Film Festival immediately. Over 20 years later, and now I’m the Lead Shorts Programmer for the Festival and just as in love as I’ve ever been.

I am deeply biased when it comes to recommending the fest, so ask other people, do your own research and take everything I say in the spirit as it’s meant: from someone drunk in the possibilities of movies and insanely lucky that I get to program them for a film festival I love as much as this one. With that said, on Oct. 8-12 this year (one day longer than ever before), I hope you’ll join me at the Bend Film Festival. It’s a special thing. It’s mercurial to try and describe why, but here are a few things this year worth catching.

“The Scout” is a mesmerizing narrative feature that looks at a single day in the life of a location scout driving all across New York City and having random encounters with strangers whose living spaces she needs to explore immediately. Director Paula González-Nasser somehow manages to make the film meditative and stressful at the same time, while also giving us not just a picturesque tour of the city, but also a deep dive into the connective tissue that makes us all human.

Showings – select to order tickets:

Wed, Oct 8, 6:15PM @ Tin Pan Theater (Sold Out)

Fri, Oct 10, 12:45PM @ Regal 6

I know I’m biased, but the Shorts this year are deliriously strong. One of my favorite blocks is “On the Verge,” which is packed with several of the best short films I’ve seen in quite some time. In particular, “Les Petits Monstres,” which follows a visually impaired teenager and his wheelchair-bound acquaintance as they ride in a medical transport van together with their short-tempered, yet loving, caregiver. At turns gut-bustlingly hilarious, touching and acerbic, it’s one of my favorite shorts of the entire year and a beautifully humanist slice-of-life.

Showings – select to order tickets:

Wed, Oct 8, 8PM @ Regal 6

Fri, Oct 10, 6PM @ Tin Pan Theater (SOLD OUT)

Another Narrative Feature I won’t stop championing is “Messy,” an unromantic comedy from writer, director, producer, star Alexi Wasser, who I think is one of the brightest and most exciting emerging voices in cinema I’ve seen in some time. Her writing is honest and deeply funny, with this dark shadow of sadness in the margins that somehow manages to make even the cringiest moments endearingly relatable. Wasser is a singular talent and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Showings – select to order tickets:

Fri, Oct 10, 3:45PM @ Regal 16

Sat, Oct 11, 12:45PM @ Tin Pan Theater (Sold Out)

The documentary “Shelf Life” compares and contrasts the creation and appreciation of cheese with human life and the irreversible cascade of aging. Directed with an eccentric and irresistible eye by master documentarian Ian Cheney, the film is somehow both breezy and profound. A real Gouda movie! Sorry.

Showings – select to order tickets:

Fri, Oct 10, 2:30PM @ Tower Theatre

Sat, Oct 11, 5PM @ Regal 7

Don’t forget that one of the things that makes the Bend Film Festival such a special event isn’t just the films, but the events also. From the opening night party at The Capitol, to the Friday night afterparty at Bunk & Brew (this one always gets pretty wild), to the Award Ceremony and Wrap Party at Greg’s Grill on Saturday, you are constantly given the chance to mingle with the filmmakers and have unforgettable conversations with artists from all over the world. It’s a special thing to be a part of and there’s a reason why a lot of these filmmakers find Bend Film to be the highlight of their festival season.

The Award Ceremony and Wrap Party will be at Greg’s Grill his year. Credit: Steve Addington Photography

There’s really too much more to explore and not enough space in the world to really explain how special these days feel. Here’s just a few more things to be excited for:

I’m interviewing legendary rapper Logic onstage at the Tower Theatre after we premiere his filmmaking debut, “Paradise Records” for a Central Oregonian crowd!

“Stone Mountain” is a powerful, timely doc that gave me hope that we can work toward a brighter future when good people give a shit about each other.

“Café Chairel” celebrates Mexican culture in a touching, authentic and gentle narrative that made me cry and laugh within seconds of each other. Stunning.

“Anxiety Club” is a documentary that will make you feel like you found your people… as long as your people are as neurotic as I am. A great film about depression, anxiety and how damn difficult it sometimes is just to be a person.

“She Cried That Day” is an infuriating and sometimes uplifting indigenous doc that shows how far we still have to go to treat indigenous lives with the importance they deserve.

“Color Book” is an emotionally incisive and honest look at fatherhood that crushed me and then filled me with life. Singular and perfect.

“Outerlands” is gloriously queer without that being the singular focus. Sad, haunting and a good reminder that our mental health is a delicate beast.

“Under the Burning Sun” is brutal, ugly and bleak with rare glimmers of light. This is real indie filmmaking. A feminist, post-apocalyptic, road trip, pro-choice, sci-fi drama that is both hard to watch and unforgettable.

And watch as many shorts as you can. They’re pretty incredible. I promise.

Enjoy the weekend. It’s going to be special.

Bend Film Festival

Oct. 8-12

https://bendfilmfest2025.eventive.org/welcome for more information and tickets. To try and describe the exact vibe of the Bend Film Festival is nearly impossible because no two have ever been the same…and I should know because I’ve seen at least one movie at every fest since the first one in 2003

This article appears in the Source October 9, 2025.