Cinema Unbound Week May 27–31

Cinema Unbound Week is coming soon—five days celebrating cinematic storytelling not contained to a single medium! The public programs expand upon the annual Cinema Unbound Awards and include a collaboration with Criterion Collection.

Events include: Michelle Zauner, author of Crying in H Mart and Japanese Breakfast frontwoman (May 27); Criterion Mobile Closet (May 29–31); Criterion film screenings (May 23, 24, 30); Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story w/ Maria Bamford in-person (May 31); and live taping of the Criterion Channel’s Adventures in Moviegoing with Fred Armisen & Carrie Brownstein (May 31). Continue reading... “Cinema Unbound Week May 27–31”

“The Bridge” Announces Inaugural Cohort

We are incredibly proud to introduce the 2026 cohort of The Bridge: from Oregon to Industry. Out of an exceptional pool of applicants, these Oregon-based filmmakers have been selected to take the next leap in their careers through this first ever intensive partnership with the Sundance Collab, Portland Film and Events Office, Prosper Portland and Oregon Film. Participants are coming from Eugene, Ashland, Bandon and Portland representing narrative features, groundbreaking documentaries, and the future of Oregon’s storytelling legacy. Over the coming weeks they will be working directly with Sundance Collab Advisors to refine their projects and redirect their careers in the global market. Continue reading... ““The Bridge” Announces Inaugural Cohort”

#OregonMade VFX for “One Piece” by RefugeVFX

For “One Piece” Season 2, Refuge VFX delivered 240 visual effects shots across the series’ eight episodes, continuing its work from the first season with a focus on weapon extensions and action-driven effects.

Sword fights presented a major challenge, as stunt performers often used rubber or shortened props during filming. The visual effects team digitally rebuilt these weapons so they appeared rigid and dangerous during combat. Early in the season, a sword used by Zoro had to be extended and refined in post-production after a stunt moment where the prop could not be fully shown on set. Continue reading... “#OregonMade VFX for “One Piece” by RefugeVFX”

#OregonMade RefugeVFX and “Fallout” S2

Fallout Season 2 comes to life through 192 visual effects shots created by Refuge VFX, spanning large-scale destruction, graphic violence, detailed desert environments, and intense creature sequences across key episodes of the series.

In one of the season’s most intense sequences, Refuge VFX delivers a brutal outbreak of violence, using advanced simulation and animation to depict bodies torn apart and environments overwhelmed by destruction. The emphasis on physical realism reinforces the raw tone of the series at its most unforgiving.

Later in the season, the focus shifts toward creature-driven horror. Continue reading... “#OregonMade RefugeVFX and “Fallout” S2”

Inaugural IWSFF Opens May 1

We are proud to be partnering with the inaugural International Women’s Sports Film Festival in downtown Portland May 1-3!

Join us at The Judy for a weekend of incredible storytelling through film, including: “Reggae Girlz” from Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton, the Billie Jean King documentary “Give Me The Ball”, and “The Britney Griner Story” (both produced by ESPN Films), plus live conversations with the athletes, coaches, and filmmakers behind the stories.

Explore the full lineup and buy your tickets today at iwsff.org Continue reading... “Inaugural IWSFF Opens May 1”

“Baby You’re a Star” Shoots in Portland

Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated artist Tyga is set to make his feature debut in a starring role in “Baby, You’re a Star,” a coming-of-age musical drama that he’s also producing and wrote with Curtis Bryant.

Co-starring Madison Bailey (Outer Banks) and Ashton Sanders (Moonlight), the film is set in 1989 and follows an ambitious young artist determined to break free from the limitations of his environment, as he navigates love, identity, and the pursuit of artistic expression.

Production is happening in Portland, Oregon, pic’s cast also includes Apollonia, Clifton Powell, Patrick Cage, David Alan Grier, and Mike Epps. Continue reading... ““Baby You’re a Star” Shoots in Portland”

#OregonMade “Via Negativa” to Premiere at Tribeca

The Oregon shot “Via Negativa” will premiere at Tribeca in June. Facing a crisis of faith after the death of an old friend, a young priest abandons all he knows and sets off on a road trip out West to heal. Along the way, he picks up a wounded coyote and meets enigmatic strangers who offer a different path towards closure.

Directed by Hannah Peterson the film stars Young Mazino, MiMi Ryder, Tony Hale, Zoe Winters, Keith Kupferer, Stanley Simons, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mamadou Athie and Jee Young Han. Continue reading... “#OregonMade “Via Negativa” to Premiere at Tribeca”

SOU Digital Cinema’s Innovative Crew Experience Returns this Spring

Los Angeles-based filmmaker Moriah Doepken, a 2020 graduate of SOU’s Digital Cinema program, returns to Ashland this year as guest director with the Digital Cinema program’s innovative “Crew Experience” course.

The Crew Experience production intensive is taught by Digital Cinema Professor Nora Zubizarreta, a filmmaker with professional experience in Los Angeles and New York City, and producer of the film Umama, which won gold at the Student Academy Awards.

Doepken graduated in 2024 from Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University with an M.F.A. Continue reading... “SOU Digital Cinema’s Innovative Crew Experience Returns this Spring”

Portland Post-Production Grant Opens Thursday, March 26

In partnership with Travel Portland, the Office of Events & Film at Prosper Portland is excited to offer a grant opportunity for Portland-based independent film productions to support and offset the cost of the post-production process. Grant applications open on Thursday, March 26.

Funding is designed to encourage the completion of local feature-length films and position local producers to build toward larger, more resourced productions. This year, grants of $7,500 each will be awarded.

Want to learn more about the Post-Production Grant? Continue reading... “Portland Post-Production Grant Opens Thursday, March 26”

Script to Screen Opens for Submissions April 4

If you needed a reminder that you are the one who can make your film dreams come true, here it is. We are in search of the next short narrative the world needs to see, and you might just be the keeper of that story. Time to write!

All applicants receive script feedback from our panel of professionals. The winner will receive a large grant along with in-kind donations, and massive production support.

Script to Screen is free and you must be a member to apply, so join the Collective now if you haven’t already. Continue reading... “Script to Screen Opens for Submissions April 4”