Though the middle-sized, Willamette Valley city does not bear the high-brow film stature of Cannes, Eugene is making quite a statement in the independent film market with its second annual film event.
Beginning Thursday, the Eugene International Film Festival will screen nearly 90 independent films, coming from all over the world.
Directors from South America, Europe and Asia submitted their work to the festival, hoping to develop their names overseas.
The festival, now in its second year, has the sole purpose to give people the opportunity to see films that they normally would not.
Jeff Johnston, vice president of the film festival’s board of directors, said if a film does not hit the big screen most people cannot see it, which is why the local event will expose viewers to a foreign sense of film.
“We want to bring our area in the industry spotlight, to encourage more film participation,” said Johnston, who has been planning this year’s festival for more than a year.
Though several Eugene filmmakers have made their way to Hollywood, mostly independent art house films will entertain viewers throughout the weekend. The films range from ones that last less than ten minutes to a typical 80-minute film.
Director Bobby Roth, who submitted his autobiographical film “Berkeley” to the event, is unfamilar with the area, but assumed that Eugene was a politically progressive city that would appreciate his story of attending Cal Berkeley during the 1960s anti-war movement. Film festivals are important for directors to show their work to different audiences and to receive new, refreshing reactions, Roth said.
The festival will run from Thursday, Oct. 4 to Saturday, Oct. 6 at Regal Valley River Center Stadium 15. Visit www.eugenefilmfest.org for a complete schedule, list of films and more information. Each film block costs $7 to view, a basic pass costs $35 and a full festival pass, which includes attendance at the opening gala, all screenings and parties, costs $65.
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