Case Study: Navigating the Film Festival Circuit with H. Nelson Tracey
Introduction
Film festivals are often the gateway to an indie filmmaker’s success – at least, that’s the dream. But the reality is that submitting to festivals, especially the A-list ones like Sundance, SXSW, Berlin, and Cannes, is a long shot. As H. Nelson Tracey, director of Breakup Season, will tell you, getting into these festivals is akin to winning the lottery. After all, the odds of making it are slim, and the process is more competitive than most realize.Continue reading... “Case Study: Navigating the Film Festival Circuit”
EOFF just wrapped its first Filmmaker Field Trip, hosting the team behind Bad Day for Bigfoot for a week of scouting, story-building, and local inspiration. From forest roads to dive bars, town hall to swimming holes—this creative residency lit a fire under pre-production and brought our region’s cinematic potential to life.
Filmmaker Field Trips are supported by Oregon Film through the Creative Opportunity Program.
June 7 is officially “Goonies Day” in Astoria and that day will anchor an entire weekend of celebrations for the film’s 40th anniversary called “Goonies Weekend.”
“The Goonies,” produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Donner, was released in 1985. For Astoria, where the film was set and where much of it was shot, Goonies-related tourism has long been touted as an important component of the local economy. Anniversary celebrations have drawn reliable out-of-town crowds ever since the 25th anniversary and Goonies merchandise sprouts up regularly at local shops. Continue reading... “Goonies Weekend Celebrates 40 Years of #OregonMade Classic”
Central Oregon Daily News’ “Destination Oregon” recently traveled to Salem to highlight the 50th anniversary of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The film that won five Academy Awards was set at Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
Author Ken Kesey’s book about the institutional overreach and the dehumanization of the mentally ill was kryptonite to many mental institutions who did not want to be associated with this controversial cultural issue. So when Hollywood came looking for a place to make the movie, there were no takers. Continue reading... “Destination Oregon Hightlights “Cuckoo’s Nest” 50th Anniversary”
Destination Film Guide recently published an article by our own Jane Ridley that talks about the economic power of Film Tourism and how Oregon Film, in conjunction with partners like SetJetters and local jurisdictions, is using its development of the Oregon Film Trail to highlight Oregon’s many historical sites for iconic movies like Stand By Me, Homeward Bound, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Twilight and The Goonies to bring film tourists, or set jetters, to all parts of our state. Continue reading... “How Film Locations Continue to Drive Economic Growth, Even in Small Towns”
Eastern Oregon Film Festival (EOFF) is thrilled to announce its Production Development Field Trip, launching in late spring and summer 2025! This unique opportunity offers selected filmmakers and creative teams a fully funded 4-7 day exploratory visit to La Grande, Oregon, to scout locations, connect with industry professionals, and assess the feasibility of bringing their next film to Union County.
🎥 What’s Included?
✔️ Travel & accommodations covered
✔️ Location scouting & networking with local professionals
✔️ Access to funding & in-kind production support
✔️ Hands-on workshops with industry mentors
✔️ Up to $5,000 in production funds for selected projects
Happy New Year everyone. As we often do, we’d like to give you some highlights from the past year as well as a small dose of “Looking Forward.”
For those of you who don’t know, Oregon Film, sometimes called the Oregon Film & Video Office (OFVO) other times called the Governor’s Office of Film & Television, is the oldest US state film commission that we know of. Founded in 1968 our mission is to develop, grow and support the film and media industry here in Oregon. Continue reading... “Who We Are and What We Do – Oregon Film – January 2025”
Celebrate the diversity of human experience through the art of independent film by enriching, educating, and inspiring all audiences. Ashland Independent Film Festival runs October 3rd through 6th.
Entering its 15th year in 2024, The Eastern Oregon Film Festival stands as a beacon of cinematic excellence. Acknowledged by MovieMaker Magazine in 2018 and 2022 as one of the Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World, EOFF has evolved into a year-round organization. Dedicated to the promotion of independent cinema, the festival thrives through curated exhibitions, industry development, and meaningful artist engagement, actively shaping the cultural landscape of rural Eastern Oregon. Find out more and get passes and tickets here: https://www.eofilmfest.com/Continue reading... “EOFF – Eastern Oregon Film Festival Opens its 15th year Oct. 17”
Andrew Gay, dean of the SOU School of Arts and Communications, talks about how the school’s Digital Cinema Department has grown to be one of the best in the country. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Ashland News recently did a great story on the Digital Cinema Program at Southern Oregon University after it was was recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as a Top Film School in the US and Canada.
Alongside big-name schools such as the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, SOU was chosen for its hands-on education and networking opportunities with Film Southern Oregon and the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Continue reading... “SOU’s Film School is a Rising Star, with Growing Ambitions”
Case Study: Navigating the Film Festival Circuit with H. Nelson Tracey
EOFF just wrapped its first Filmmaker Field Trip, hosting the team behind Bad Day for Bigfoot for a week of scouting, story-building, and local inspiration. From forest roads to dive bars, town hall to swimming holes—this creative residency lit a fire under pre-production and brought our region’s cinematic potential to life.
June 7 is officially “Goonies Day” in Astoria and that day will anchor an entire weekend of celebrations for the film’s 40th anniversary called “
Destination Film Guide recently published an article by our own Jane Ridley that talks about the economic power of Film Tourism and how Oregon Film, in conjunction with partners like SetJetters and local jurisdictions, is using its development of the Oregon Film Trail to highlight Oregon’s many historical sites for iconic movies like Stand By Me, Homeward Bound, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Twilight and The Goonies to bring film tourists, or set jetters, to all parts of our state. 
For those of you who don’t know, 
Celebrate the diversity of human experience through the art of independent film by enriching, educating, and inspiring all audiences. Ashland Independent Film Festival runs October 3rd through 6th.
Entering its 15th year in 2024, The Eastern Oregon Film Festival stands as a beacon of cinematic excellence. Acknowledged by MovieMaker Magazine in 2018 and 2022 as one of the Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World, EOFF has evolved into a year-round organization. Dedicated to the promotion of independent cinema, the festival thrives through curated exhibitions, industry development, and meaningful artist engagement, actively shaping the cultural landscape of rural Eastern Oregon. Find out more and get passes and tickets here: 