Bend - the second annual Bend film Festival wrapped on Sunday with an awards gala that presented over $20,000 in cash prizes to independent filmmakers. Top honors went to Hank Rogersons “Shakespeare behind Bars” which follows a group of convicts who stage Shakespeare's play “The Tempest” and chronicles their growth as they produce the play.

The audience award is funded by a percentage of ticket sales and will net the documentary film “The Real Dirt on Farmer John’ over $7500 . The film follows outcast Midwest farmer John Peterson as he transforms his failing farm.

Notable features include Brian Mcnelis’ “East of Sunset”. A tragic tour through East L.A. fueled by the music of Tom Waits. The shorts program features award winners from the 2005 festival circuit as well as a number of premieres.
Memorable shorts from this years program include:

Kia Simon’s “Disarmed”: a dark comic exploration of first date jitters complicated by an odd mental disorder

Richard Roll’s “Down Dog” : a hilarious send up of the Los Angeles yoga culture

And Theresa Wingert’s “Stray”: a poetic road story featuring Channon Roe ( Boogie Nights)

The directors of these festival favorites were on hand Saturday at Dilusso’s coffee shop lecture series. The panel of filmmakers shared their experiences acquiring and developing material as well as an inside look at the rigors of independent filmmaking.

The sold out screenings and packed–to-the-rafters parties indicate that this Central Oregon festival is a success. Bend Film works year round to educate students through arts programs in regional schools and has established vital arts programs that will cultivate independent film in Oregon for years to come.

For more information visit http//www.bendfilm.org/


|Dane Allan Smith
|MeniThings.com