The event, hit hard by the pandemic, brings lines of filmgoers back to the Varsity Theatre and builds momentum for its 25th edition in 2026

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

Ashland took a star turn last weekend as the Independent Film Festival returned in full force, lighting up the Varsity Theatre with indie gems from around the globe.

The crown jewel? The Oregon premiere of “I Know Catherine, the Log Lady,” a poignant tribute to Catherine E. Coulson — the legendary “Twin Peaks” enigma and longtime Oregon Shakespeare Festival icon — whose spirit seemed to flicker from every frame and corner of the theater during its showings.

“It was one of the hits of the festival,” said Gary Kout, AIFF board president. “It was the first film to sell out, ultimately selling out all four showings.”

Chris Lucas’s “Raising Aniya,” also with strong local ties, resonated strongly with the AIFF team.

“Being able to screen the film and giving (producer) Chris Lucas the Lee Fuchsmann Local Filmmaker Award was an emotional highlight of the festival,” Kout said. “Chris is a beloved member of the AIFF community, having served on the board in the past. He’s also an integral part of the nationally recognized digital cinema program at SOU.”

Nicole Gullixson presented the award to Lucas. She is the festival’s managing director, a graduate of the SOU film program, and a former student of Lucas’s.

“It was a beautiful full-circle moment that no one will forget,” Kout said.

Building the buzz

Gullixson says one of the most powerful takeaways from this year’s festival was the mounting anticipation as the festival neared.

“We originally had planned to host just three filmmakers,” she said, “our award winners and the creator of our opening night film. But as word spread, more reached out, eager to attend. That ripple effect sparked a beautiful momentum, filling the festival with warmth, joy and excitement.”

She credits advance news coverage with helping to spark excitement for AIFF’s return to a spring festival.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the local and regional press who helped us share the spirit of this year’s festival,” Gullixson said, “especially in a moment when the arts feel more vital than ever. Thanks to coverage from Ashland News, Rogue Valley Times, and our generous underwriting partnership with JPR, we were able to reach broader audiences.”

Kout says attendance expectations were exceeded. The board sensed that there might still be some hesitation in the community about whether the festival could achieve pre-pandemic attendance levels.

“We’re doing it with a small team and a limited budget,” he said. “So, we have a lot of work to do until we are at pre-pandemic levels, but we’re feeling good about getting there.”

Gullixson echoed Kout’s comments, expressing thanks for the community’s support.

“This year was a special one, and we truly hope it felt that way to everyone who was a part of it,” she said.

Hearts and minds

AIFF co-director of programming Aura Johnson felt a palpable sense of community connection at the festival.

“It was incredibly affirming to me that so many patrons expressed that they were not just moved by our films, but that they also learned new things and felt inspired and motivated by them,” she said. “I’m thrilled to see our audiences coming back together.”

Kout says the community’s response confirms to him that AIFF is on the right track. There was an upbeat vibe at last year’s festival as well, but this spring’s iteration was the first big in-person festival since 2019.

“Our longtime attendees were delighted to once again be in packed theaters,” Kout said. “And our first-time attendees were excited to find a new space for discovery and community.”

Kout says the audience still skews older, but that a lot of younger people were attending, a trend the board hopes to build upon without losing its strong base.

“It’s a balancing act,” he said, “and we have more work to do on that point.”

Board member Carina Kolodny agrees with Kout’s analysis.

“Seeing so many first-time festival-goers walk through the doors was so satisfying,” she said. “It’s always a joy to welcome back our longtime attendees, many of whom treated this like a homecoming. But what moved me most was the number of new faces.”

Kout attributes some of those new faces in part to an influx of new residents moving to Ashland and the Rogue Valley since the pandemic.

Next stop, world

For some of the films exhibited at the festival, Ashland may be just the beginning. Kout believes several of them will go on to make a big impact beyond AIFF.

“The Coulsen documentary, ‘The Hole Story,’ and ‘Raising Aniya,’ in particular, will make big impacts wherever they go,” Kout said. “And, eventually, ‘Pelican’ and ‘Ernie & Emma,’ when they are completed, should have successful festival runs and delight audiences everywhere.”

 Audiences engaged film talkbacks enthusiastically.

“By doing them in our film center, we can make them feel intimate and personal,” Kout said. “It was definitely a great use for the space.”

 The AIFF team is optimistic about the festival’s future, and has already begun planning for next year’s 25th anniversary.

“There is momentum,” Kolodny said. “Coming out of COVID, the festival was on life support. But this year felt like a true turning point. Since joining the board in 2023, it’s the first time it feels like we’ve cracked a few codes.”

She’s said she is especially buoyed by the growth of AIFF’s “Friends of the Fest” program.

“It’s already bringing in new energy and fresh audiences, and we’re only just beginning.”

Those who wish to support the festival with tax-deductible donations or underwriting can do so by visiting the AIFF website, ashlandfilm.org.

“We encourage businesses to reach out to us early about sponsorship opportunities,” Kout said. “We’re also talking about bringing back memberships.”

Now the focus will shift to 2026.

With a legacy built on bold storytelling and a future aimed at innovation, AIFF’s 25th anniversary won’t be just a celebration — it will be a springboard into a new era of independent film for the Ashland festival.

Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at jimflint.ashland@yahoo.com.