“As a film made in Eugene by Eugene filmmakers, we’re thrilled for Tracktown to be the first feature announced for this year’s festival,” said Erik Jambor as he returns to BendFilm as this year’s Festival Programmer. Tracktown, written and directed by Jeremy Teicher and Alexi Pappas, will be shown as a part of the 13th Annual BendFilm Festival, set for Oct. 6-9, 2016.
Tracktown’s co-director and lead actress Pappas, the real-life long distance track star and 2016 Olympic competitor, plays the role of Plumb Marigold, a famous but lonely distance runner preparing for the biggest race of her life: The Olympic Trials. When an injury forces her to take an unexpected day off, Plumb wanders into a bakery where the aimless boy behind the counter catches her eye. Alexi Pappas makes her feature film debut alongside a cast of Olympic athletes and beloved actors like Rachel Dratch (SNL) and Andy Buckley (The Office).
As you tune in to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, be sure to watch for Alexi as she competes for Greece in the 10,000-meter run on August 12 at 11:10am PDT. Check back here for updates on Alexi’s Olympic races.
Women Filmmakers
“Alexi’s participation is a centerpiece of this year’s Celebration of Women Filmmakers, and we’re excited to have her and Jeremy coming to Bend to screen the film at the festival,” said BendFilm Festival Programmer Erik Jambor.
In addition to running and filmmaking, Alexi is also the Portland Chapter Leader of Film Fatales. You may remember Film Fatales as the organized founded by BendFilm 2015 juror Leah Meyerhoff. It is a network of women filmmakers who meet regularly to mentor each other, share resources, collaborate on projects and build a supportive community in which to make their films.