2011 Bend Film Festival

In this funny and honest depiction of the messiness of modern marriage, writer-director Amber Sealey also stars as Beth, a woman who, with her husband Mark, has been struggling to conceive. Mark, confused and frustrated, shops online for the perfect affair to shake up his life. His encounters tend to be short and ugly, until he meets the avid Louise, whose complex attitude sets them all down an unexpected path. This award made possible by the Starview Foundation.

Set against the mountains and beaches in a remote part of New Zealand, This Way of Life is an intimate portrait of a Maori family and their relationship with each other, nature and horses. Peter and Colleen Karena have six children, fifty horses and the land is their lifeblood. This Way of Life is a blueprint for how to live with little. It is a modern parable of one family’s unconventional and positive response to the questions that confront many families in these anxious times. This award made possible by The Source Weekly.

Darwin is a documentary film about an isolated community in Death Valley, California. Expelled from society by tragic turns, the people of Darwin (population 35) must find ways to coexist in a place without a government, a church, jobs, or children. The near-ghost town’s survival depends on a fragile, gravity-fed waterline that descends from the mountains where top secret weapons are being tested. One ‘accidental’ drop of a bomb, they half-joke, could wipe out their entire town.

Darwin is a documentary film about an isolated community in Death Valley, California. Expelled from society by tragic turns, the people of Darwin (population 35) must find ways to coexist in a place without a government, a church, jobs, or children. The near-ghost town’s survival depends on a fragile, gravity-fed waterline that descends from the mountains where top secret weapons are being tested. One ‘accidental’ drop of a bomb, they half-joke, could wipe out their entire town.

Rid Of Me is a black comedy that follows Meris, an awkward young woman trying too hard to perfect her marriage, amongst a new group of friends. RID OF ME follows Meris’ rejection from the cool crowd down a path towards truth and salvation which includes a job at a local candy shop, a group of punk friends, community gardening and a new found love for Cambodian rock music. In memory of Jason Mitchell.

Is it possible to live completely waste free? Partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to swear off consumerism and produce the least amount of garbage in an entire year. Their refreshingly comedic battle is set against a sobering examination of our “throw-away” society and shocking images from Seattle artist Chris Jordan. This multi-award winning film tackles the serious issue of waste with optimism, humor and inspiration for individual action. This award made possible by Rebecca and Frank Groundwater.

Is it possible to live completely waste free? Partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to swear off consumerism and produce the least amount of garbage in an entire year. Their refreshingly comedic battle is set against a sobering examination of our “throw-away” society and shocking images from Seattle artist Chris Jordan. This multi-award winning film tackles the serious issue of waste with optimism, humor and inspiration for individual action. This award made possible by Rebecca and Frank Groundwater.

An underhanded company man is offered assistance by a secret organization that immerses him in forces beyond his control. This award made possible by Dan Wieden on behalf of Caldera Arts.

When a woman gets assaulted in a late night bar, Morris Munsey steps in. Morris is an average guy who wants nothing more than a beautiful woman to share his life with, but the danger that surrounds him challenges his chances with this sexy foreigner. This award made possible by Dan Wieden on behalf of Caldera Arts.

This award made possible by Dan Wieden on behalf of Caldera Arts.

This award made possible by Dan Wieden on behalf of Caldera Arts.