Something strange is coming to North Bend. It’s the North Bend Film Festival, Aug. 23 to 26, 2018.

Using the town’s mysterious energy that once inspired David Lynch, the festival will set out to fill the void of programming for the progressive audiences in the Pacific Northwest, and to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers on the national stage.

Working directly with the town of North Bend, organizers of the festival say it will be an event for the local community, Northwest creatives, and national independent film industry to enjoy together.

“As event organizers, our goal is first and foremost to present programs that inspire the local community. We’re thrilled to collaborate on this event with the town and its exceptional cinema, and to bring something new to the area that will add to the town’s iconic reputation as a haven for people seeking an escape from city life.” says Jess Byers, festival co-founder.

The festival’s home base will be the beautiful art-deco North Bend Theatre, built in 1941, with additional events spread out to historic locations and outdoor spaces available in the area. Residents of North Bend, Snoqualmie, Preston, Fall City, Carnation and Duvall will be offered discounts, and local businesses will be embraced, say organizers.

The first edition of the North Bend Film Festival will feature special screenings, filmmaker talks, a VR component, and interactive events in addition to a curated film program including feature and short films from internationally recognized film festivals such as Sundance, SXSW and Tribeca, as well as world premieres.

The festival will also offer a filmmaker development program that highlights emerging female talent.

The festival is founded by Justin Timms and Northwest native Jess Byers, who together launched the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY, and Hugues Barbier, Founder and Creative Director of Ithaca Fantastik in Ithaca, NY.

The advisory board includes Todd Brown (XYZ Films), Barbara Crampton (Actress, RE-ANIMATOR, YOU’RE NEXT), Katie Kelly (Head of Marketing, Altspace VR), Bre Keveren (Special Events, City of North Bend), Tori Palmatier (Ridley Scott’s RSA Films), Ina Pira (Curator, Vimeo), Annick Mahnert (Screen Division), Charlie Sextro (Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival), Travis Stevens (Snowfort Pictures), Mara Webster (Panels Programming Director, Tribeca Film Festival), and Jenn Wexler (Director & Producer, Glass Eye Pix).

“We look forward to NBFF as an outstanding opportunity to provide our North Bend and surrounding communities with a unique experience that cannot be found elsewhere. What a great way to celebrate the special atmosphere our small town brings to the Pacific Northwest,” says Bre Kereven, North Bend’s Special Events Coordinator who also sits on the advisory board.

More information will be available in the coming year.

For local filmmakers, submissions are now open via FilmFreeway and Withoutabox.

For those interested in attending, festival badges will be on sale this winter.

For more information about the event and how to get your business or venue involved, visit http://northbendfilmfest.com, or find North Bend Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.