The Confluence

Traditionally held in Ashland, Oregon, the Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival will stream virtually through their website for one more year, as live theaters still struggle with opening up to a viewing public in 2021.

Following the success of celebrating independent horror films for over a decade, the Killer Valley team spawned a second genre film festival to celebrate the best original comedy films from underground and emerging filmmakers. The Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival was born and now celebrates its third year with hopes to bring some extra joy and laughter to the holiday season.

Last year the Killer Valley Film Festival launched virtual streaming on their website, and the filmmakers behind the movies streamed could not have been happier. Traditionally held in Southern Oregon, often only the local and near-local filmmakers were able to attend. As submissions began to grow beyond the Pacific Northwest, this left more of the filmmakers out of the experience of enjoying other new movies and networking with filmmakers within their favorite genre.

“Happy Prank Day” – comedy film from Ashland, OR director Kurk Kasparian.

Now, following another successful horror film festival in October, the Killer Valley Film Festival is steering its audience to independent comedy filmmakers and opening virtual streaming windows to a worldwide audience.

The comedy festival, and all things “Killer Valley,” do keep some local flavor. Two local Southern Oregon films from directors Kurk Kasparian (“Happy Prank Day“) and Jamison Winternitz (“Please Hold“) are in the mix, along with 21 additional US made films and 17 Foreign Films.

Gedde Watanabe directs “She Had It Coming” in the 3rd block of films at KVCFF.

Highlights of this year’s comedy film festival are “She Had it Coming,” directed by Gedde Watanabe (known for his performance in “16 Candles” along with a number of 1980’s comedy film successes) and “We Three Queens,” starring Emma Hunter (who can be seen in the Canadian comedy breakout show, “Letterkenny“).

The 2021 Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival will be streaming films over three distinct weekend viewing windows, from November 19th through December 5th, 2021. Much of the content is geared towards a mature audience, and of course those with a sense of humor.

Movie fans can purchase a view pass to watch the films at: https://www.KillerValleyComedyFilmFestival.com.

Social Media Links:

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/The-Killer-Valley-Comedy-Film-Festival-138566999995601

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killervalleyfilmfest/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/killervalleyhff

Please join us this Saturday, Nov 13th, from 2-5pm, at The Art of Makeup School’s Open House featuring a body painting demo by Face Off celebrity, Kevon Ward!

We will also be offering a Meet & Greet with Kevon, Q&A, giveaways, & holiday treats!

RSVP here while we still have availability. See you there!!

Calling All Creators to join the movement!  The Recreate Responsibly Coalition “aspires for everyone to have a holistic outdoor experience by advancing all aspects of responsible recreation: keeping yourself, others, and outdoor places safe; accessing outdoor benefits essential to the human experience; and building an outdoors for all through justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion

To get involved: Join the Movement

All content creators are invited to become part of #CreateResponsibly and to treat our shared environment with care and respect.  Pledge to #CreateResponsibly and members of this community will receive a badge from Recreate Responsibly to include in their content.

What’s better than Bruce Willis in a ponytail or Cate Blanchett hitting Billy Bob Thornton with her silver Mercedes on Naito Parkway? Well, watching this turn-of-the-century comedy heist movie on a 35mm print for its 20th anniversary comes close.

This December 15 at The Hollywood Theatre you can have it all in the next installment of our #OregonMade Film Series.

BANDITS takes a Grand Tour of Oregon from Portland’s Broadway Bridge, through a room with a view over Lake Oswego, over to Oregon City for a quick bank job and then south to Silverton (doubling as Klamath Falls) and Salem before heading into California and finishing this not one, not two, but three different time period narrative of a three-way love triangle in Century City.

This one comes from Barry Levinson who will always have a prominent place in cinematic history for DINER and WAG THE DOG on their own (oh and a few others as well, sure) but come see it just for the fake mustaches and bad wigs.

Get your tickets here.

City of Canby officials with the newest sign on the Oregon Film Trail.

The City of Canby’s Eco Park was added to the Oregon Film Trail and commemorated with a community dedication. NBC’s “Grimm” was filmed in the city’s Eco Park in early 2014.  The public celebration was held on Friday, October 29^th right in beautiful Eco Park. Canby City’s Economic Development Department assisted production crews to identify a location by providing access to the park and found parking to store trailers, equipment, and crew facilities.

As the Oregon Film Trail continues to grow, the sign marker in Canby recognizes the importance of “Grimm” as just one production among many that filmed there and in other locations around Clackamas County, and across the whole state.  “Partnering with the Oregon Film Trail is an exciting opportunity for Canby,” said Sarah Spoon, Canby City Councilor. “We have been developing the sense of place that makes Canby special. This partnership, plaque, and spot on the Oregon Film Trail map allow us to show the whole region how beautiful and unique our community truly is as we continue to establish and market our value as a destination worth visiting.”

The collection of Oregon Film Trail markers aims to strengthen the correlation between the film and TV industries, economic development, tourism, and local interest alike.

Look for another marker on the Oregon Film Trail that celebrates “Grimm” in Pier Park, north Portland.

For more information about the Oregon Film Trail, visit https://www.historicoregonfilmtrail.com/.

You still have time to take part in the City Lights Cinemas and the Siuslaw Public Library District presentation of the “Frank Herbert Dune Celebration,” honoring the historical ties between the Florence dunes and the seminal science fiction classic that influenced a generation of books, music, and films.

In 1957, Herbert traveled to Florence, Oregon to write a magazine article on the Oregon Dunes. “…Sand dunes have been known to swallow whole cities, lakes, rivers, highways,” he wrote to his agent, fascinated by the struggle between nature and humanity.

The article never materialized, but the awe of the Oregon dunes became the inspiration for “Dune,” one of the most influential science fiction novels of all time.

See both the 1984 Universal picture directed by David Lynch, and the greatly anticipated 2021 Warner Brothers adaptation directed by Denis Villeneuve, while learning the rich history behind Dune and the Oregon Coast.  Experience the world of Frank Herbert in the birthplace of Dune – Florence, Oregon.

See the 1984 David Lynch classic Dune on the big screen, and discover the tumultuous journey to bring it to cinemas, along with its ties to some of the biggest hits in cinema history.  The grandson of Frank Herbert, who was a consultant on the new Dune film, talked about the legacy of Dune and Florence. Short film produced by City Lights Cinemas and Siuslaw Public Library.

Contrast the book and the film from page to screen in an open discussion led by library director Meg Spencer. Both the novel and the new graphic novel are available at the library and City Lights Cinemas.

Discuss the themes and the meaning of the Dune with the library’s regular virtual book club. Contact [email protected] or call 541-997-3132 for meeting details.  For tickets go here.

Nestled on 23 acres with nearly 20,000 lavender plants of multiple varietals, Lavender Valley Farm is at the foot of the majestic Mt. Hood in Oregon. The multi-family owned charming farm is a working farm that harvests, distills, and packages lavender beauty and household products. For the first time ever, the 10-year old Lavender Valley Farm is available for location shoots and events.

Lavender Valley Farm offers stunning views and striking outdoor spaces unlike anything in Oregon. You’ll feel as if you’ve entered the French provincial countryside of lavender farms. The signature proprietary Lavender Valley Farm landscape shot with year-round snowcaps of Mt Hood in the background can be found in art galleries all over the country. Lavender Valley Farm has fast become a global destination.

Lavender Valley Farm is six miles away from its nearby adjacent River Song Ranch, a 92-acre property owned by the same family with a four-bedroom farmhouse, a super large funky Yurt, an additional house in the woods, a weathered authentic classic barn, green pastures with cows, and several more acres of beautiful lavender. It borders the Hood River with salmon fishing. Both locations work artistically and logistically for any type of production.

Lavender Valley Farm and the River Song Ranch offer many different sceneries depending on the time of year. And while the peak lavender season of July and August is obviously a premier time to leverage the epic locations of the peak purple lavender in season, the winter can offer equally spectacular accommodations and views, especially of Mt Hood with lavender plants in the foreground. Between the two locations, ten minutes apart, we present lots of options to fit the needs of the script scenes. Both locations also have more than sufficient space for honey wagons, wardrobe trailers, catering trucks, and support vehicles, prop trucks, special effects trucks, motor homes for actors, vans for shuttling cast and crew, production cars, picture vehicles, and cranes if needed. Both locations are open to year-round filming.

Located in a region known as part of the fruit loop in Hood River not far from The Gorge and the Columbia River on the Washington State border, both one-of-a-kind locations are available for filming, photography, photoshoots, commercials, and high-end production—short term and long term. Corporate events and wrap parties are available too.

The lavender farm owners will allow some prior approved modifications to the farm property and will consider some reductions in the rents for acceptable modifications that stay with the property. We recognize production personnel is under time constraints in confirming a location. If a location scout or production team is in dire straits and needs a location as soon as the next day, Lavender Valley Farm can move on a dime to accommodate once permits are approved. 

Lavender Valley Farm Property Characteristics

• 23 acres
• 20,000 lavender plants
• Peak season is July and August
• Retail store that is approximately 350 square feet
• Modern barn with tractor and lavender distilling processing area
• Bathroom and shower in the barn
• Enclosed product manufacturing lab within the modern barn
• On-site representative to monitor and assist
• Water from a private well, and sewer services available
• Cooperative neighbors

River Song Property Characteristics

• 92-acre ranch property
• 5 acres of lavender fields
• 20 acres of grass pasture
• Yurt
• Borders Hood River
• Farmhouse – 4 bedrooms and wood burning stove/fireplace
• Front porch
• Stairs
• Fireplace
• Barn
• Cow pasture
• Dense Woods
• On-site representative to monitor and assist
• Water from a private well, and sewer services available
• Cooperative neighbors

Now Screaming… er, Now Streaming! Southern Oregon’s Killer Valley Horror Film Festival has launched its 14th year of celebrating independent filmmakers in the horror film genre this October. Having their live event derailed by the ongoing pandemic, the team behind KVHFF has made their festival available to stream via their website over three limited weekend viewing windows. Each weekend highlights a unique block of horror films, with a bonus extended viewing of all three blocks on Halloween night (Oct. 31st).

Each film block consists of 12 short horror films (between 3-10 minutes long) and finishes with a 30-minute horror Featurette. The viewing windows begin at midnight (UTC) on Thursday and run through midnight (PST) on the following Sunday. This gives a little bit of bonus viewing time to international viewers and an early bonus window for local viewers in the festival’s home base of Southern Oregon.

Film Block #1 runs Oct. 15-17th with the highlighted featurette, “The Witch’s Bargain,” directed by Corey J. Trahan. It is the story of a witch and her quest for a spell that will grant her eternal life. Says Trahan, “This short is rooted in a long history of friendships; a collective passion for dark arts and a general human need to connect over fearful topics such as mortality.”

Margaret Cho stars in the short horror film “Koreatown Ghost Story” – screening the 1st weekend of KVHFF

Also included in this viewing block is “Koreatown Ghost Story,” starring Margaret Cho. This supernatural horror tale is based on a Korean ritual about a woman who entertains a macabre marriage offer that would let her pursue her dreams, for better or for much much worse.

Film Block #2 runs Oct. 22-24th with the highlighted featurette being an adaptation of the classic “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe. This film version is adapted and directed by McClain Lindquist, who outside of the film world happens to be an actual mortician.

“This intense Movie was an ‘undertaking’ and helped me to release buried emotions and compartmentalized grief,” Lindquist says. His version of this well-known story is a psychological thriller, reimagined in a mind-bending, pulse-pounding, bloody-disgusting short film.

Also included in Film Block #2 is “The Fall,” from acclaimed director of “Under the Skin” (2013) and “Sexy Beast” (2000), Jonathan Glazer. “The Fall” is a powerful short film that invites its audience to project their preoccupations and interpretations, inspired by “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters,” an etching by Francisco Goya.

Linnea Quigley stars in “Keep Closed at all Times” – screening in the 2nd weekend of KVHFF

Another fun gem within the second-weekend viewing window is an appearance by Linnea Quigley, cult star of the 1980s, her most notorious role being that of Trash, the naked tombstone-dancing punk rocker in “The Return of the Living Dead” (1985). Quigley stars in “Keep Closed at All Times,” a micro-short directed by Herman Kerner.

For the third and final weekend, culminating on Halloween night, Film Block #3 includes “The Dentist,” a contribution from Southern Oregon local (and returning) filmmaker, Christian Nava, as well as a short film by Megan Duffy who appeared with Elijah Wood in “Maniac” (2012) and is a cast member of the Fear Initiative podcast from Blumhouse. Duffy shows off her directing chops with “What it Feels Like for a Girl.”

The highlighted featurette for Film Block #3 is “When the House Goes Black.” Directed by Stas Ivanov, a Russian-born American who began filmmaking at 10 years old in Siberia. Ivanov has honed techniques that span the style and craft of both of these countries’ leading cinema.

“When the House Goes Black” is a continuous one-shot esoteric film that follows two young actors as they try to break into an industry that merely views them as objects of entertainment. “Not breaking from the shot, the cinematography has a sense of immediacy that traps the audience along with the characters inside the audition room,” says Ivanov.

On October 31st, the final night of streaming, viewers get one final chance to watch all three blocks of films. If anyone has missed the viewing window of the previous weekends, or a true horror cinephile wants to binge nearly 5 hours of constant indie horror, Halloween night is their chance to do just that.

The films of 2021’s Killer Valley Horror Film Festival will be available for streaming on their official website only, at https://killervalleyfilmfestival.com. Following this virtual festival, in November the Killer Valley Team will launch their follow-up Comedy Film Festival, an entirely different genre experience, sure to delight and ease the stress that typically leads us into the winter holiday season.

For more information, or to follow on social media, please use the following links.

Contact: https://killervalleyfilmfestival.com/about-the-festival/
Subscribe: https://killervalleyfilmfestival.com/#subscribe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/killervalleyhff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killervalleyfilmfest/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/killervalleyfilms

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(L-R): Ross Williams, festival programmer & video editor; Randy Granstrom, executive director & awards host; Levi Anderson, event host & website developer.

Created in 2007, the Killer Valley Horror Film Festival (KVHFF) was the brainchild of Randy Granstrom.

His love of classic horror movies and his passion for making independent films came together and inspired him to create a local festival in Southern Oregon celebrating independent filmmakers, particularly in the horror genre.

In 2018 the Killer Valley team started a second genre film festival, the Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival, celebrating original, underground comedy producers.

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Opening Tonight: 15 Years of LAIKA!

Explore the 15th anniversary and stop-motion fantasia of LAIKA Studios with screenings of all five of its Oscar-nominated films, from Coraline to Missing Link, at OMSI’s Empirical Theater! Delve deeper into the artistry and technical innovation behind the films with key filmmakers on hand for Q&As preceding each film.  Walkthrough displays of puppets and sets from each legendary film and explore the meticulous craftsmanship of LAIKA’s creative process. Tickets here.