Attendance at the 2026 River Bend Film Festival increased 30%. Organizers reported more opportunities for community engagement as the catalyst for the significant growth.
A special appearance by actor Doug Jones also helped, along with local participation in the Sept. 3 through 5 independent film festival.
“For us, making River Bend more inclusive has to mean more than simply saying everyone is welcome,” said Neil King, festival director, in a press release. “Sometimes it means going to where people already are and finding new ways for them to be part of the festival.”
While many of the films showed at the historic Goshen Theater, free community screenings took place at Greencroft Goshen. The free student and youth film showcase, Goshen College & Beyond, was a partnership with the Goshen College communication department.
“To see overall attendance grow this year while we were making that effort is incredibly encouraging,” King said. “It tells us there is an audience for independent film here — and that when we create more ways for people to participate, they will.”
After a screening of “The Shape of Water,” Jones received the festival's Legacy Award. The 2017 film grossed $195.2 million and won Best Picture at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. Jones, who is an Indiana native, also is known for roles in “Hellboy,” “Pan's Labryrinth” and “Hocus Pocus.”
Other festival winners included:
- Best Documentary: “Cycling Without Age” — Diana La Riva
- Best Indiana Documentary: “Sincerely, Ric” — Jesse Carfield
- Best Short-Length Screenplay: “I Once Was A Person Too” — Galen Collins
- Best Feature-Length Screenplay: “CAEL” — Christian Dalton
- Spirit of the Fest: “Crystal Cross” — Richie James Follin
- Best Indiana Short: “So Tender A Flame” — Carolyne Paschal
- Best Short Film: “Meeting Your Maker” — Tristan DeDe
Winners received a hand-sculpted award created by Goshen ceramic artist Anthony Majewski of the Northern Indiana Clay Alliance. The nonprofit that was founded in 2022 plans to open its center this fall.
“Every year, I’m reminded how much remarkable work is being created outside the traditional Hollywood system,” King said. “These filmmakers and writers take creative risks to tell stories that matter to them, and River Bend gives those stories an audience. Just as importantly, it puts filmmakers in the same room with other filmmakers and people who genuinely want to discover their work. That connection is really at the heart of River Bend.”
The River Bend Film Festival was founded in 2002 in South Bend. It moved to Goshen in 2016. Learn more about the festival here.
