BendFilm and OUT Central Oregon To Launch OUT IN FOCUS FILMFEST
to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Films and Filmmakers in Central Oregon
March 2-4, 2023 in Bend, Oregon and will bring filmmakers and films focused on celebrating LGBTQ+ life experiences, diversity in the outdoors, and include premieres of some of the best new films of the year. More details coming soon…
The OUT IN FOCUS FilmFest will present recently released leading edge films to provide a winter opportunity for the community to convene, view, and connect around important topics. Select screenings will include panel discussions where filmmakers and actors will be invited to provide a first-hand perspective on the filmmaking process and on issues important in our community. The festival will run concurrently with OUT Central Oregon’s annual Winter PrideFest. Films will be screened exclusively at the Tower Theatre and the Tin Pan Theater in downtown Bend.
“We have collaborated with OUT Central Oregon on film events over the past several years and are excited to now take this partnership to the next level by launching this new festival,” said BendFilm Executive Director, Todd Looby. “This is a perfect opportunity to better serve our community by celebrating life experiences that have been traditionally underrepresented. We hope many smaller towns follow.”
“This Festival is timed perfectly to catch new films and filmmakers and help these important works and their artists reach larger audiences,” said BendFilm Advisor and Director Emeritus, Sundance Festival and former OutFest Director/Board Member, John Cooper. “There are very few LGBTQ+ festivals hosted in towns the size of Bend and with similar character to Bend. This Festival led by BendFilm marks a big step forward for an already remarkable organization.”
“We are very excited about our innovative partnership with BendFilm on the OUT in Focus FilmFest, which allows us to bring queer film to Central Oregon on an annual basis,” Jamie Nesbitt, president of OUT Central Oregon said. “FIlm has the power to educate and inspire us all, and we hope the OUT IN FOCUS FilmFest will promote thought-provoking conversation, through the medium of film, on topics important to our
community.”
Thank you to our Sponsors
Highlights of LGBTQ+ Film Screenings in Central Oregon
Since 2018 OUT Central Oregon is honored to have screened several films which impact community conversation around diversity and inclusion.
LGBTQ+ Film at BendFilm Festivals
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020 – Virtual
- 2019 – 11+LGBTQ Films
- Winter PrideFest 2022
A Reflection of Self
- Shares the voices and experiences of LGBTQIA+ community members locally and beyond.
- Honoring Alex Simpson
‘Duende de Lorca’ with Milagro Teaching Artists
- A play about the Spanish poet and playwright, Fedrico Garcia Lorca, who fused his cante jondo with Afro-Cuban son to create a new rhythm of powerfully poetic drama.
- Partnership with Latino Community Association and Milagro
Prognosis: Notes on Living
- Partnership with Peaceful Presence Project and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon
- An emotionally raw, funny, and profoundly intimate story about hanging onto life, while preparing to let it go.
Thank you to our Partners!
Past Events
Know Civil Rights: Free Screening of “Milk” at Tin Pan Theater
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, OR“Know Civil Rights” program hosted by the Deschutes Public Library Come to Tin Pan Theater and screen the movie chronicling the life and the assassination of gay activist and elected […]
LGBTQ Movie Night Free Admission – Geography Club
Volcanic Theatre Pub 70 SW Century Dr, Bend, ORThis event is free to attend! Middle and High School LGBTQ Youth are invited to come along for the movie. Doors open at 6:00 PM movie starts at 7:00 PM […]
Queens & Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo
The High Desert Museum 59800 S Highway 97, Bend, ORThe High Desert Museum presents a special screening of “QUEENS & COWBOYS: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo.” The award-winning film documents a season of the rodeo circuit, spotlighting […]
Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story – Q&A
Central Oregon Community College 2600 College Way, Bend, ORScreening of ‘Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story’ is Free to attend, donations appreciated. Doors open at 5:30 PM movie starts at 6:30 PM COCC Campus, Hitchcock Auditorium in 201 […]
Breaking the Silence Bend Screening Special Guest Kristin Beck
Nativity in Bend 60850 SE Brosterhous Rd, Bend, ORWe are excited to have Kristin Beck join us in our special Central Oregon screening of Breaking the Silence: an Oral History of Oregon’s LGBTQ Veterans and Service members. Beck, […]
Documentary ‘We Were Here’ – Q&A
Central Oregon Community College 2600 NW College Way, Bend, ORScreening of ‘We Were Here’ is Free to attend, donations appreciated. Doors open at 5:30pm movie starts at 6:00pm COCC Campus, Hitchcock Auditorium in 201 Pioneer Event URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/170361383671379/ Learn more about Oregrown PrideFest at https://www.outcentraloregon.com/pridefest/
Film Screening: Rocky Horror Picture Show!!!
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BendFilm Fest: Mapplethorpe
Regal Old Mill 680 SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, ORBend Film brings ‘Mapplethorpe’ – as part of its annual Film Festival and invites OUTCentralOregon to participate. Robert Mapplethorpe is arguably one of the most important artists of the 20th […]
BendFilm Fest: Wild Nights with Emily
Regal Old Mill 680 SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, ORBend Film brings ‘Wild Nights with Emily’ – as part of its annual Film Festival and invites OUTCentralOregon to participate. Emily Dickinson’s persona, popularized since her death, was that of […]
Film Screening: Guys Reading Poems
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Documentary: “Living OUT in Central Oregon”
Unit Community of Central Oregon 63645 Scenic Dr, Bend, ORNative Central Oregonian Danielle Axten screens their film: “Living OUT in Central Oregon” – a documentary about LGBTQ+ people and their experiences growing up and living in the community. December […]
Movie Screening: Love Simon
Nativity in Bend 60850 SE Brosterhous Rd, Bend, ORYou’re crazy if you miss this one!! Join us for movie night at PFLAG on Tuesday, January 8th! We’ll be watching the delightful “Love, Simon”. Bring Kleenex – this film […]
Prineville, show your Pride!
Crooked River Brewing 420 N Main St, Prineville, ORJoin us for a special Prineville based PRIDE event! We’re having a Queer Eye marathon in CRB’s theater room! Join us for no-host food, drinks, and lots of fun! LGBTQIA, friends, families, and allies are welcome! Sponsored by PFLAG Central Oregon, Human Dignity Coalition, and OUT Central Oregon. https://www.facebook.com/events/305010620426368/
16th Annual BendFilm Festival | OCT 10-13 + LGBTQ Film!!
Bend Bend, ORThe years 16th Annual BendFIlm Festival features several LGBTQ+ Films! Plus conversation with powerhouse Indie Producer Christine Vachon whom receives this year’s IndieWomen of the Year Award recipien!. Christine launched […]
Hedwig: Pre-Screening Social
Stihl Whiskey 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, ORJoin your favorite Drag Troupe ‘The Cult of Tuck’ for a fun social gathering prior to the screening of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ – playing October 11th 9pm @ […]
Prineville LGBTQ and Allies Movie Night (FREE!)
Crooked River Brewing 420 N Main St, Prineville, ORJoin us for the classic, “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julia Newmar”. Three drag queens — Noxeema, Vida and Chi-Chi — take off on a cross-country adventure to participate […]
OUT in Focus – ‘The Gospel of Eureka – Film Screening
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, ORJoin us for film screening of ‘The Gospel of Eureka’. This is the inaugural kickoff of a project called ‘OUT in Focus’ – collaborative project with BendFilm aimed at increasing […]
LGBTQIA+ Movie Night – “But I’m a Cheerleader”
901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, OR 97702 901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, ORLGBTQIA+ Movie Night – “But I’m a Cheerleader” Deschutes Brewery (Mountain Room) This Saturday! February 29th 6-10pm
OUT in Focus – ‘And Then We Danced’ Film Screening
Join us for a ‘Virtual’ screening of Queer Film and support local non-profits. ‘And Then We Danced’ is ‘a passionate tale of love and liberation set amidst the conservative confines […]
OUT in Focus – ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’
Out In Focus // The Miseducation of Cameron Post We are thrilled to collaborate with OUTCentralOregon on a virtual screening of THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST which won a Grand […]
Prineville, show your Pride!
Crooked River Brewing 420 N Main St, Prineville, ORJoin us for a special Prineville based PRIDE event! We’re having a Queer Eye marathon in CRB’s theater room! Join us for no-host food, drinks, and lots of fun! LGBTQIA, friends, families, and allies are welcome! Sponsored by PFLAG Central Oregon, Human Dignity Coalition, and OUT Central Oregon. https://www.facebook.com/events/305010620426368/
16th Annual BendFilm Festival | OCT 10-13 + LGBTQ Film!!
Bend Bend, ORThe years 16th Annual BendFIlm Festival features several LGBTQ+ Films! Plus conversation with powerhouse Indie Producer Christine Vachon whom receives this year’s IndieWomen of the Year Award recipien!. Christine launched […]
Hedwig: Pre-Screening Social
Stihl Whiskey 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, ORJoin your favorite Drag Troupe ‘The Cult of Tuck’ for a fun social gathering prior to the screening of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ – playing October 11th 9pm @ […]
Prineville LGBTQ and Allies Movie Night (FREE!)
Crooked River Brewing 420 N Main St, Prineville, ORJoin us for the classic, “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julia Newmar”. Three drag queens — Noxeema, Vida and Chi-Chi — take off on a cross-country adventure to participate […]
OUT in Focus – ‘The Gospel of Eureka – Film Screening
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, ORJoin us for film screening of ‘The Gospel of Eureka’. This is the inaugural kickoff of a project called ‘OUT in Focus’ – collaborative project with BendFilm aimed at increasing […]
LGBTQIA+ Movie Night – “But I’m a Cheerleader”
901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, OR 97702 901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, ORLGBTQIA+ Movie Night – “But I’m a Cheerleader” Deschutes Brewery (Mountain Room) This Saturday! February 29th 6-10pm
OUT in Focus – ‘And Then We Danced’ Film Screening
Join us for a ‘Virtual’ screening of Queer Film and support local non-profits. ‘And Then We Danced’ is ‘a passionate tale of love and liberation set amidst the conservative confines […]
OUT in Focus – ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’
Out In Focus // The Miseducation of Cameron Post We are thrilled to collaborate with OUTCentralOregon on a virtual screening of THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST which won a Grand […]
OUT in Focus: The Surrogate
Out In Focus // The Surrogate Jess Harris (Jasmine Bachelor, “The Good Fight”), a 29 year old web designer for a nonprofit in Brooklyn, is ecstatic to be the […]
OUT in Focus: Rainbow Retrospective- A Decade of Queer Comedy Shorts
Rainbow Retrospective- A Decade of Queer Comedy Shorts In partnership with Film Festival Alliance, RAINBOW RETROSPECTIVE: A Decade of Queer Comedy Shorts is available to view from anywhere in the U.S. & Canada. […]
17th Annual BendFilm Festival | OCT 8-25 + LGBTQ Film!!
More info @: https://www.bendfilm.org/ The years 17th Annual BendFIlm Festival features several films celebrating diversity including topics on LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Women, and ageing communities. Checkout last years Festival: https://outcentraloregon.com/event/16th-annual-bendfilm-festival-oct-10-13-2019/ LGBTQ+ Films include: Ahead of the Curve – the story of one of the most influential women in lesbian history you’ve never heard of and the impact […]
OUT in Focus: Two of Us
“Two of Us” (2021) // a film by Filippo Meneghetti. Now available in our Virtual Tin Pan. Two retired women, Nina and Madeleine, have been secretly in love for decades. […]
OUT in Focus: “Twilight’s Kiss”
“Twilight’s Kiss” – directed by Ray Yeung – is opening TODAY in our virtual Tin Pan Theater! Now in their twilight years, two men must choose between their desires for […]
Against the Current
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LGBTQ+ Movie Night – Prineville Pride
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OUT in Focus – The Wizard of Oz
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But I’m a Cheerleader – OUT in Focus
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, OR‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ presented by BendFilm and OUT in Focus A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a […]
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, ORThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert presented by BendFilm and OUT in Focus Two drag performers and a transgender woman travel across the desert to perform their unique […]
Headwig and the Angry Inch – OUT in Focus
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, ORHeadwig and the Angry Inch – presented by BendFilm and OUT in Focus A German emigrant living in a trailer in Kansas is the victim of a botched sex-change operation. […]
The Birdcage – OUT in Focus
Tin Pan Theater 869 NW Tin Pan Aly, Bend, ORThe Birdcage – presented by BendFilm and OUT in Focus In this remake of the classic French farce “La Cage aux Folles,” engaged couple Val Goldman (Dan Futterman) and Barbara […]