Now entering its third year, Basecamp is taking place October 4–8, 2026 in the Cascade Mountains of Central Oregon. The program brings together around 30 early-to-mid career filmmakers for four days of intensive creative development, mentorship, and industry conversation.
What makes Basecamp different is the environment itself. Fellows and mentors live together in the woods with limited cell service, shared meals, late-night conversations, and no industry velvet rope. Documentary and narrative filmmakers – directors, producers, and screenwriters are all part of the same cohort. The goal is not to silo artists into separate tracks, but to create the kind of cross-pollination and honest exchange that independent filmmaking desperately needs right now.
Past and returning mentors have included Christine Vachon, Effie Brown, Heidi Ewing, Craig Kestel, Peter Nicks, Bing Liu, Cassian Elwes, Sydney Freeland, and more. This year’s program will culminate in a public Pitch Competition that serves as the kickoff to the 2026 Bend Film Festival.
Applications are open now through June 14, 2026. We encourage filmmakers working on narrative or documentary features in development, production, or post-production to apply.
