10 Years of BendFilm. Efforts Continue to Establish Sustainable Festival for Years to Come

by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer

Ten years of independent cinema has not only had a significant economic impact on Central Oregon, but the success of BendFilm is proving to have an important influence on the cultural development of the area. Celebrate this Thursday with Wonder Women at the Tower Theatre.

“Bend is starting to be known not just for its natural beauty, skiing, biking, golf and beer, but for its cultural community as well,” commented Frank Groundwater, president of BendFilm’s board of directors. “From COCC and the Culinary Institute to Arts Central, The High Desert Museum, The Nature of Words and BendFilm, we are a part of the growing fabric of cultural entities that are really adding to the quality of life in Central Oregon. While the larger festivals are amazing, I feel the presentation of film diversity in a smaller community is so important, and perhaps has a greater value and a larger impact.”

From modest beginnings in 2003 to a well-respected festival showing over 80 films in four days, BendFilm brings in over 5,000 attendees annually who support the local economy through dollars spent on lodging, food, drink, shopping and recreation. The reasonable cost of festival attendance has garnered BendFilm a spot on Moviemaker Magazine’s 20 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee list.  

Founding sponsors for the festival, Brooks Resources Corporation, believed strongly in the significance of a local film festival. “Supporting BendFilm today is just as important and even as exciting as it was 10 years ago in its inaugural year,” said Romy Mortensen, vice president, sales and marketing, Brooks Resources Corporation. “Brooks Resources believes in supporting arts and culture in our community and helping to build sustainable programs that benefit our economy. BendFilm is a great festival during our “shoulder season” that provides a wealth of fun, learning, and economic impact to Bend.”

“I think people underestimate the value that the BendFilm Festival brings to Central Oregon,” Groundwater continued. “Obviously, the festival brings thousands of people into our key retail districts to eat, drink and shop and we know that on the average, those moviegoers are going to spend more than $300 per person in Bend. But there is also a more subtle economic impact in that more than 20 percent of the attendees come from out of town, and they are going home and telling their friends and families about the fabulous time they had in Bend.

“The filmmakers and jurors love the red carpet treatment that Bend gives them, and that has a logarithmic effect in the industry and further promotes Central Oregon’s reputation as a vibrant and desirable place to visit and do business.”

2013’s festival will not only celebrate a successful 10 years, but it serves as an important benchmark in the future of the event. Bob Reininger, member of the BendFilm advisory committee that is chaired by Cristy Lanfri and Romy Mortensen, explained the time has come to create a stable base of operating capital for the festival so that it can avoid the whimsy of the economy. One way in doing so would be securing 10 sponsors to give $10,000 for 10 years. “That would serve as the kernel from which a real operating fund would grow, in addition to and separate from the normal operating budget. [It will be] a source of funds to bring in higher profile/better funding for awards…ensuring longevity.

“Any level [of help], from $10-$10,000 in support of an organization that has been showing films for 10 years contributes to a really successful festival. Contact the BendFilm office and ask for more info,” he concluded.

“The board has a number of long term goals, but primarily to continue to develop one of the best small independent film festivals in the United States,” said Groundwater. “And also to build the type of infrastructure and financing that creates a self sustaining entity that is not just a festival once a year, but a year round celebration of independent cinema.”

A ground-roots effort to support funding for awards began in 2012, resulting in an additional $10,000 for the festival. Inde Women for Indie Film began with Pamela Hulse Andrews’s idea of 10 friends each donating $100, but quickly grew to 100 women donating $100, mostly through word of mouth. This year Inde Women hopes to grow the reach to at least 200 women to support the festival. The group will host a number of events leading up to the festival including a showing of the 2012 festival film Wonder Woman, The Untold Story of American Superheroines on March 14 at the Tower Theatre, a day of fashion and film at Desperado in the Old Mill District on April 25, the Bash fundraiser at the Cascade Culinary Institute’s Elevation on May 31 and more. Visit bendflim.org to stay up to date with events happening each month leading up to the festival, October 10-13.

WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines from Vaquera Films on Vimeo.

“We’re confident in continuing our tradition of excellence for 2013,” said Festival Director Orit Schwartz. “We’ve been able to build a strong following among both our contributors, sponsors and most of all, our audience and are planning the best BendFilm ever for our 10th year.”

“Through the region’s economic highs and lows, BendFilm has survived and is in a stable, growing financial position. With the support of hundreds of volunteers, some of the most generous and supportive sponsors in the world and the support of this community, BendFilm is thriving and preparing for our best festival ever,” Groundwater concluded.

As the year progresses, BendFilm will announce its jury, additional sponsors and, in the fall, its 10th annual film slate.

541.388.FEST, info@bendfilm.org, www.bendfilm.org.

BendFilm Bash

The third annual Bash is a fundraising event for BendFilm held this year at Elevation at the Cascade Culinary Institute on May 31. The party will kick off with a champaign toast and guests will be able to share their best memories of the festival on film. Started to create more awareness of BendFilm during the year as well as raise funds for the festival, Bash participants will enjoy food prepared by the Culinary Institute, music by K.C. Flynn and will be entered into a drawing to win a film pass to the festival. Entry is $50/single and $90/couple. Sponsored by Bob Reininger and the COCC Culinary Institute.