This fall, Wandering Reel Traveling Film Festival will make its return to Oregon with a collection of short films sure to stir the consciousness of the local community. Wandering Reel is a traveling short film festival with a focus on bringing meaningful films to communities with limited or no access to compassionate, thought-provoking cinema. WRTFF strives to engage its audiences in deeper conversation about the role of cinema, and how films can relate to community, conscious living, and contribute to making the world a stronger and more unified place.
WRTFF offers five different film programs, all of which demonstrate on some level how film can be a powerful medium for effecting change. Each local venue chooses the film program(s) they think might best serve their local community. The programs were designed by a team of individuals from varying backgrounds and roles in art, film, social justice and domestic life. “Wandering Reel offers films that are made with purpose, that we think will inspire, that we hope will stay with our audience long after the credits have rolled,” said festival director Michael Harrington, who, it’s worth mentioning, grew up on the Oregon coast and currently lives in Portland. “This is how we change the world, one community and one film at a time.” Last year’s award winning filmmaker Philippe Vaucher said, “Wandering Reel reminded me of why I started making films in the first place: it is possible to change people’s lives through thoughtful art and moving art.”
In addition to showing thought-provoking cinema, Wandering Reel’s mission is to engage its audiences in ways that many other film festivals cannot do: the community-centric format is designed to maximize audience participation and cultivate community building. “By exposing communities with films that are compassionate in their approach and passionate in their purpose, we hope to inspire conversation and collaboration between individuals and communities through the shared experience of cinema,” remarks Michael. Thusly, after each screening, he facilitates conversations with the audience and, when available, with the filmmakers, as well.
Oregon Events:
5th Avenue Cinema ~ Portland, OR
October 15th & 16th at 6:30pm
Hoffman Center for the Arts ~ Manzanita, OR
October 20th at 7:30pm
Bijou Theatre ~ Lincoln City, OR
October 22nd at 11:00am
Lincoln City Cultural Center ~ Lincoln City, OR
October 22nd at 7:00pm
Newport Performing Arts Center ~ Newport, OR
October 23rd & 24th at 7:00pm
City Lights Cinema ~ Florence, OR
October 25th at 12:00 pm & 6:00 pm
Barnstormers Theater ~ Grants Pass, OR
November 18th at 7:30 pm & November 19th at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
*All screenings followed by Q&A discussion with festival director, Michael Harrington. Mike grew up on the Oregon coast and currently resides in Portland.
For More information on the 2016 Wandering Reel fall tour and film programs please visit:
www.wanderingreel.org
