21st Annual Bend Film Festival celebrates independent cinema in Central Oregon

Jillian Fortner will be live at Bend Film Festival tonight at Five

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) -- The Bend Film Festival is back for its 21st edition, showcasing over 100 films across venues from the Tower Theatre to Madras. The four-day in-person event, running from Thursday through Sunday, welcomes 125 filmmakers from around the country.

According to their website, “BendFilm is an independent Oregon film festival in the truest sense – rugged, brilliant, daring, adventurous, fun, and engaging. Academy-qualifying and one of the "25 Coolest Festivals in the World," (by MovieMaker) BendFilm is located in the wondrous mountain town of Bend, OR and has been showcasing some of the best independent films in the Pacific Northwest and beyond for 21 years.”

Moviegoers also have the chance to connect with filmmakers, including during a free social hour at San Simón.

Jillian Fortner will be live at the festival tonight on NewsChannel 21 at Five.