Festival Events & Highlights

Opening Night Friday, April 18

Karl Rove, I Love You with Dan Butler

Dan Butler, famed character actor ‘Bulldog’ from Frasier will be in attendance with his directorial debut, the hilarious faux-documentary Karl Rove, I Love You at The Historic Elsinore Theatre. Starring as himself in the film, with the 2004 elections looming, Butler turns his obsession with bringing down Bush’s right-hand man into a one man show, but discovers an awkward kinship with his similar “supporting role” status in the White House. Also visiting with the film is his co-director Phil Leirness.

Opening Night Filmmakers' Party

Our Opening Night Filmmakers’ Party at j.james restaurant (325 High St SE), which gives you the opportunity to mingle with our visiting filmmakers, will be the soiree everyone will be talking about for months! Beginning Friday at 8:30 p.m., Oregon native Jeff James’ enticing appetizers and wine choices will be the perfect nightcap to a memorable evening of movie magic. A no-host bar will also be available. Click on the link below to purchase tickets online.

$45 - FRIDAY NIGHT FILMMAKERS' PARTY

Big Night Saturday, April 19

Mardik: From Baghdad To Hollywood with Mardik Martin

Salem Film Festival will be presenting its first ever Special Tribute Award to accomplished veteran screenwriter Mardik Martin, whose stellar collaborations on such scripts as Mean Streets, New York, New York, Last Waltz and Raging Bull have left an indelible mark on American cinema that continues to inspire filmmakers to this day. A documentary about his life, Mardik: From Baghdad to Hollywood, will be followed by Q & A with Mr. Martin, as well as directors Ramy Katrib and Evan York, and he will then introduce the film Raging Bull, which in 2006 was honored by the Writers Guild of America as one of the 101 greatest screenplays ever penned.

Cocktail Hour & Filmmakers' Reception

For another chance to relax and enjoy some candid conversation, meet with filmmakers as Alessandro’s Ristorante & Galleria (120 Commercial St NE) plays host to a Cocktail Hour on Saturday evening at 7:30 or join us for the Filmmakers' Reception at 9:00 p.m. California artist Leah Devora’s Hollywood themed mixed media – photography, text and high-end oils on canvas – will add the perfect touch to the atmosphere and ambience.

Closing Night Sunday, April 20

August Evening with Chris Eska

Winner of this year’s prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards, August Evening is a lovely and lyrical story that has its roots in director Chris Eska's own upbringing in a small Texas town. It is a gentle and inspiring tale that chronicles the lives of an aging undocumented Mexican worker and his young widowed daughter-in-law. Eska will be in attendance and available to answer questions after his film is screened on Sunday at Salem Cinema.

Other Notable Events Throughout the Weekend...

NW Emerging Artist Competition

The seven short films in this package, ranging in length from 4 minutes up to 48 minutes, all hail from Oregon filmmakers. The jury’s still out on who will walk home with the coveted NW Emerging Artist Award, so your vote counts! The filmmakers will be in attendance for a forum discussion following the films and while they rally to answer your questions, the votes will be tallied and the award presented right then and there! Special Jury votes have been tabulated and the audience vote will be calculated in after the films have screened.

Alexandra Opie Art Exhibit

FRIDAY 4 - 9 PM
SATURDAY noon - 9 PM
SUNDAY noon - 6 PM
Film-goers typically aren’t allowed the opportunity to interact with movie magic. Alexandra Opie’s expansive video installation exhibits bring stunning visuals to life on towering three dimensional screens which form a cave-like slice of space that viewers can wander through. On display during the festival in the Pacific Building at the corner of High and State Streets, Alexandra’s work offers festival viewers a radically different and exciting example of ways in which moving image can blend art and life.

A Topiary Artist Named Pearl

A Man Named Pearl, which shows Sunday morning at the Elsinore, is a delightful documentary about Bishopville, South Carolina man Pearl Fryar, who has cut and shaped beautiful abstract living sculptures for nearly thirty years. Pearl will join us after the film to share his stories, answer questions and, quite possibly, shear some shrubbery.

Night Camp Shorts

A new late-night addition to this year's festival! Saturday at Salem Cinema, this creepy, cool and campy $5 shorts package is for our viewers who aren't scared of being out after dark. Click here to find out more!

...and more Films and Filmmakers
than you can count! Enjoy!