The River Bend Film Festival is returning to the Goshen Theater Aug. 28-30.
The festival will feature three days of independent film screenings, special guests and free events.
Founded in 2002 on the campus of Indiana University South Bend, the 22nd version of the River Bend Film Festival will feature two full blocks of films created by Hoosier filmmakers. The festival offers free popcorn during its Film Indiana screening block, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. Aug. 30, at the Goshen Theater. One of two screening blocks dedicated to Indiana-made films, the Film Indiana screening is followed by a question and answer session with the filmmakers.
“We saw such an increase in submissions of films made in Indiana this year—and it’s an achievement for us to be able to devote two entire blocks of screenings to Hoosier-made films,” said Joni Earl, second-year festival director, in a press release. “That has never happened before, and it means a lot to us.
“Festivals like River Bend, that celebrate the work of independent filmmakers, are crucial to inspiring the next generation of filmmakers right here in our area and our Region,” Earl said. “To get so many Indiana submissions tells us that we’re getting through and making an impact.”
Feature film screenings at the 2025 River Bend Film Festival include Drink and be Merry, a holiday comedy starring Yellowstone’s Jefferson White, and director Linus O’Brien’s documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror—his insider’s look into the work of his father, Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien.
The River Bend Film Festival will present a double feature at 9 p.m. Aug. 29, featuring Strange Journey, which includes interviews with Tim Curry, Richard O’Brien and Susan Sarandon, followed by a question and answer session with the director. The festival then presents a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“Once we knew Linus would be here, we made it a priority to screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show to give his fantastic film even greater context and create a more immersive experience for the audience,” Earl said. “There is no other festival like River Bend in the area, and we take pride in organizing this event to support filmmakers and entertain the many independent film fans all throughout our area and our Region.”
