July 12, 2026

Cinema

Cinema

Film festival spotlights power of inclusion with premiere of documentary about OSF production of the musical ‘Hairspray’

The Ashland Independent Film Festival kicks off its four-day run Thursday, Oct. 3, with the centerpiece film for the festival, ‘Including Us,’ set for its world premiere Saturday. The film, made by local director Brandon Givens, is about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Hairspray: A Broadway Musical” in 2019. The story focuses on four actors with disabilities who starred in the musical, along with the rest of the cast.

October 2, 2024

Business

AIFF announces 62-film lineup to screen Oct. 3-6

AIFF held a preview night for the upcoming film fest on Sept. 18. The arts, environment, and social activism are three of the main movie themes making up the list for AIFF 2024, coming up Oct. 3-6. The 2024 lineup includes more than 60 movie premieres, many with in-depth Q&A discussions with filmmakers, guest artists and actors in attendance.

September 25, 2024

Cinema

AIFF to announce festival lineup Wednesday night at SOU

The Ashland Independent Film Festival will unveil its full lineup of films for this year’s festival at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the SOU Music Recital Hall.

September 18, 2024

Business

SOU’s film school is a rising star, with growing ambitions

Southern Oregon University was recently named a top 30 film school for its digital cinema program in the U.S. and Canada by MovieMaker Magazine, a widely read independent film magazine. Alongside big-name schools such as the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, SOU was chosen for its hands-on education and networking opportunities.

September 5, 2024

Cinema

Ashland Independent Film Festival preps for first full fest since 2019 this fall

As fall approaches, the Ashland Independent Film Festival volunteers and coordinators prepare for the festival’s triumphant return to the Rogue Valley. With a new executive director, the festival is set to involve plenty of new ideas, events and programs while maintaining the classic film festival experience.

July 13, 2024

Cinema

Review: The resiliency of human spirit in ‘Dreams Have No Borders’

Review: In mid-June, a series of small events took place to celebrate the premiere of the moving and poignant filmed chamber opera, “Dreams Have No Borders,” presented at the Varsity Theatre over a weekend, sharing experiences from the Oregon Latino community.

July 8, 2024

Cinema

‘Dreams Have No Borders’: Filmed opera to premiere in Ashland

Two of Ashland’s most prolific, socially conscious artists — chamber opera composer Ethan Gans-Morse and his co-writer, poet-librettist Tizania DellaRovere — are celebrating the heritage, struggles, triumphs and stories of immigrants in an opera film premiering June 22 and 23 at the Varsity Theatre in Ashland.

June 13, 2024

Cinema

SOU Digital Cinema Program hosts its 19th annual Student Film Festival

Southern Oregon University celebrates its 19th annual Student Film Festival on two Wednesdays, June 5 and June 12, at the Varsity Theatre. The dual screening event is a co-production between SOU’s Student Film Club and Digital Cinema Class “Film Festival Programming & Promotion.”

June 5, 2024

Business

Local actors, local scenes star in locally produced feature movie

An independent crime drama filmed in Jackson County and featuring local actors, “Above the Trees,” is making its debut in select theaters throughout Oregon. The Ashland debut was Friday. Showings continue this week at the Varsity Theatre.

May 13, 2024

Cinema

AIFF announces film festival dates for this fall

The Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) has announced the dates for this year’s festival: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 3 to 6. AIFF memberships are now available on the website at ashlandfilm.org, and AIFF is actively seeking sponsors to support independent filmmaking and foster artistic expression.

May 10, 2024

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