The Confluence

Blue Ox Films, an independent production company known for bold, character-driven storytelling, has achieved a significant milestone: both of its debut feature-length documentaries have been nominated for Emmy Awards.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, nominated for Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary alongside an exceptional group of contenders, offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, one of the most elite aerial demonstration teams in the world. Produced in partnership with Netflix, Supper Club, and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions; directed by Matt Wilcox; and with cinematography by Zach Osterhout, the film delivers unprecedented access to the pilots, revealing the intense training, precision, and personal sacrifice required to perform at the highest level.

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.

Largo recently announced that CEO Glenn Gainor will serve as a strategic development and production partner for the #OregonMade script “Terminal,” the winning project from their Cannes 2026 Pitch Event.

Directed by David Poulshock and produced by Alyssa Roehrenbeck, “Terminal” is a psychological thriller that combines bold cinematic vision with timely psychological and cultural themes.

Largo’s Cannes Pitch Event was designed to identify projects with both creative originality and strong audience potential; “Terminal” delivered on both fronts.

Read more about it here.

Shrine13 is proud to present “SPACE: A Meditation on the Meaning of Art” at the Tomorrow Theater  on June 12!

It was supposed to be a simple documentary about a Portland landlord’s quest to convert the run-down NW Marine Iron Works complex into a thriving art space. But when eccentric artist, Tim Stapleton who is diagnosed with ALS, moves into one of the new studios – on his own quest to paint until his dying breath – everything changes.

Filmmaker David Poulshock endeavors to answer the existential question, “Why make art?”

Following sold out shows at global premieres in London and Bermuda this spring, “Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story” is scheduled to premiere at Portland’s Aladdin Theater on June 4-5 for a two-night run in Soccer City USA supported by Portland Timbers (MLS).

The powerful sports and social history documentary celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Bermudian legend Clyde Best — the first Black soccer superstar of the modern television era in England – and a pioneering figure who later played for the Portland Timbers in the NASL (1977-81) and helped shape the early growth of professional soccer in the United States.

Last December, Kareem Alston-Rosales launched the nonprofit “Film 4 Good Fund.” Alston-Rosales noticed gaps in access to funding for independent filmmakers after years of work in philanthropy. The nonprofit, which aims to make it easier for independent filmmakers to receive direct grant funding for projects that are nearing the finish line, just gave out its first grant last week to Portland-based filmmaker Ime N. Etuk.

Alston-Rosales and Etuk joined OPB’s “Think Out Loud” to discuss the Film 4 Good Fund’s work, and what these pathways to grant funding can mean for independent filmmakers.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Oregon based filmmaker, storyteller and friend Brian Lindstrom who passed away on May 15, 2026. Brian’s films, including “Alien Boy” and “Mothering Inside” brought to light people in our community that were often overlooked, forgotten or outright unseen. As his wife Cheryl writes:

His work as a documentary filmmaker was dedicated to telling stories of people who, as he put it, “society puts an X through.” He erased that X with his camera and his astonishing heart.

Oregon based LAIKA has released a teaser trailer for its Portland-set, Hillsboro produced next feature film “Wildwood,” and its beyond incredible!

After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness—an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover strength and belief she never knew she possessed.

Breeda Wool and Natasha Halevi are set to lead Sander Gusinow’s female-driven thriller “Cottontail.”

Wool stars as Gwynnie Vail, described as a “cunning escaped convict hiding out in a remote cabin near the Idaho–Oregon border.” Per the official logline, “When sisters Autumn (Halevi) and Summer (Leah Shannon) arrive after crossing state lines in search of abortion medication, Gwynnie entangles them in a brutal psychological game that tests loyalty, survival and control.”

“Cottontail” is Gusinow’s feature directorial debut. His script “Big Sisters” was the 2022 Screencraft Feature Competition grand prize winner, and he holds a master’s degree in playwriting and screenwriting from Columbia University.

Oregon Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Fall Cycle of our Community Grants program will open May 26 and close June 23, 2026.

This funding cycle will prioritize support for:

• New or expanding programs and projects
• Capacity-building efforts
• Small capital projects under $500,000

Key dates and program guidelines are now available on our Community Grants webpage, including:

• Funding priorities
• Application questions
• Sample answers for a competitive application
• Review criteria

Find out more here.