BendFilm announced 68 short films, complementing last week’s announcement of four feature competition categories which will screen at the 20th Annual Bend Film Festival, presented in person October 12-15 and virtually October 16-22, 2023.
This year’s short films were selected from a record-high 2,186 submissions, originating from over 50 countries, and have been programmed in nine thematic blocks, one of which will open the Festival on October 12.
“This year on our 20th birthday, we’re proud to feature some truly exquisite shorts on Opening Night,” said BendFilm Program Director Selin Sevinç. “Audiences look to us to curate the most compelling and exciting program of shorts, and we’re fortunate that filmmakers are keen to get their work on our screens. We love all our shorts categories: the form offers nimble possibilities that let directors’ capabilities shine. These filmmakers are the future, and deserve our undivided attention – regardless of runtime.”
Three of the Festival’s five shorts categories (Animated, Indigenous, and Narrative) are recognized by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® as Oscar®-qualifying. The program also features Documentary and Outdoor & Environmental shorts. Films are presented
across nine screening blocks, and, in time-honored tradition, some will be presented before various feature films. The shorts blocks for the 2023 Bend Film Festival are listed here.
