SOUTH BEND – Global Spectrum, operators of the Century Center, will host the River Bend Film Festival, April 3-6. The four-day festival, sponsored by Mid America Filmmakers and Downtown South Bend, will showcase everything from regional talent to Hollywood producers at three different venues in South Bend.
More than 50 local, national and international independent films in a wide variety of genres will be shown throughout the festival, providing numerous opportunities to learn more about filmmaking, fundraising, make-up effects, and puppetry.
Wednesday, April 3, from 7 to 10:30 p.m., Merriman’s Playhouse will host short films and “Refuge: Stories of the Self-help Home,” a documentary revealing the origins of a resourceful community that over generations has brought together more than 1,000 Central European Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors under one roof.
Thursday, April 4, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Room 1001 in Weikamp Hall (Indiana University South Bend) will showcase work by the students, as well as a variety of shorts and the feature “Shot by Shot.”
Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10:30 p.m., the Century Center will host keynote speakers, Hollywood producers John Baldecchi and Kathleen Haase, who have worked on films such as “Conan,” “The Mexican,” “Detroit Rock City,” and “Affliction.” The even program will showcase the locally produced “Everglades of the North.”
Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. at the Century Center there will be two simultaneous screening rooms assure there is always something amazing to be seen. Kids Shorts at 10 a.m., followed by a puppet presentation by the incredible Roz Puppets. Kate Chaplin will present her feature “Ingenue” and lead a morning workshop on women in filmmaking. IU South Bend New Media students will also have a display of video art and Mid America Filmmakers is hosting movie swag giveaways throughout the weekend.
For information or to buy tickets visit www.riverbendfilmfest.org or call Tim Richardson, festival director at (574) 315-8044 or e-mail director@riverbendfilmfest.org.
