We have a dozen films with their Oregon Premieres at the festival. Our passion for exposing the community to a variety of independent films is driven by the hope that this potent medium will expand the awareness of the public about social and cultural differences. The SFF provides the opportunity to bring a wide variety of quality film to the area that would otherwise be missed. The festival showcases these lesser known yet worthy films. It also provides newer filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase their talent and create a dialogue with audiences.
Alternative views of the world and different lifestyles can be explored best through an independent lens. These unique perspectives are often lost in the mass media that we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Our film lineup this year once again encompasses the globe…we will offer over 30 feature films representing 20 different cultures…some are documentaries that will give you an honest look into someone else’s world and speak about the state of human condition… others are narrative, each with a compelling and fresh look on subject matter and all offer a look into a world larger than the one we might ordinarily be exposed to
One audience member likened the festival experience to having "all the extras on a DVD, but live and in person". During Q and A sessions filmmakers have been asked things as varied as "what was your inspiration" to "boxers or briefs". Anything is fair game and in my experience, the filmmakers are willing to openly share their experiences from fiasco to fame!
SFF co- founder Loretta Miles says “I truly believe cinema is an art form as significant and profound as any other. The screen is a filmmaker’s canvas, the camera his medium, and, as with any art form, his spirit is his inspiration. Like all good art, good cinema is meant to not only entertain, but to stimulate. Salem Film Festival exists to show film that might help to open eyes, broaden horizons, and perhaps even offer some insight and understanding into human nature.”
We have shorts from around the world – both delightful and powerful.
We have films appropriate for everyone from the youngest members of your family, to those with the most sophisticated of movie tastes. We hope to expose our audience to a world of ideas and images they might not otherwise consider.
We hope to make them laugh and cry and think and feel and hopefully walk away feeling rewarded.
Ron Cowan, reporter and columnist Statesman-Journal, Salem, Oregon rcowan [at] StatesmanJournal [dot] com (503) 399-6728
Warren Bechtolt Jr., PR Director 503-851-3579 wbechtolt [at] gmail [dot] com
Loretta Miles, Lead Programmer 503-585-8849 loretta [at] salemfilmfestival [dot] com