Oregon Indie Film

Oregon is an amazing place. With ocean beaches, rugged coastlines, raging rivers, snow capped mountains, lush forests, and barren high desert. From urban cities to rural towns, we have all the film friendly locations. The talented actors and professional film crew members make Oregon an ideal place for independent filmmaking. These are many of the reasons so many films are made here.

Oregon Indie Film is here to shine the light on the films and filmmakers you may not have heard of . . . yet. Short films to feature-length, narrative and documentaries, Oregon Indie Film focuses on the diversity and talent of Oregon's independent filmmakers and their contributions to the state's vibrant film scene. They are making movies everyday. Many of these movies are screened at local or international film festivals and some are distributed around the world.

I’m Dawn Sellers, the host here at Oregon Indie Film, in each episode I’ll interview these industry professionals that are making it happen.

An award winning filmmaker myself, I write, direct, and produce stories for both film and stage. I am one of the founding board members of POV Filmmakers a nonprofit that fosters networking, collaboration, and resources for a community of independent filmmakers in the Portland, Oregon area.

I’ve served on the board of the Portland Chapter of Women In Film and other local arts organizations. I enjoy connecting members of the community to help them follow their passion of filmmaking. As I became involved in the local film industry I quickly realized that Oregon is well on the way to being the indie film capital. In fact, that is the branding I’m going for. A fan of many filmmaking podcasts myself, I decided that the world needed a podcast focused on the industry here in Oregon. So join me. Follow or subscribe, listen in, and hear from the professionals themselves, their insights into the creative process, challenges, and triumphs of making movies in Oregon. We’re talented, creative, gritty, and we have stories to tell.

Presented by Broken Toe Productions

Hosted by Dawn Sellers

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Welcome to Oregon Indie Film, a video podcast that shines the light on Oregon's independent film industry. I’m your host, Dawn Sellers. I interview Oregon’s independent filmmakers who offer insights into the creative process, challenges, and triumphs of making movies in Oregon.

I had the pleasure of sitting down in the studio with Portland screenwriter-turned-filmmaker, Mike Caron. Mike and I first met last year when he cast my husband, Doug, in his western Strike the Wind. Since then, we've become friends and collaborators—working together on Strike the Wind and other exciting projects.

In this episode, we explore how indie filmmakers not only get their films made, but also how the landscape of independent film is evolving—especially when it comes to distribution and financing. Mike shares his journey into filmmaking after careers in other fields, how he’s written so many screenplays, his early creative experiments, and how he continues to grow as a filmmaker.

You’ll also pick up screenwriting tips and hear what to do when a deal falls apart—because, as every filmmaker knows, it’s all part of the process.

SHOW NOTES:

Mike Caron Films:

Someday: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt25363256/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_2

Outer Darkness: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29402418/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_1

Strike The Wind: Watch the Trailer -

Contact Mike Caron – papa.caron@gmail.com or on Facebook @mike.caron.75

7th Street Productions: 7thstreetfilms.com

* Calvin McCarthy

* Chyna Rae Shurts

POV Filmmakers monthly meetups – POVFilmmakers.org

Thanks so much for listening. If you’d like to learn more about Mike’s current project, Strike the Wind, check out the trailer above.

You can also connect with Mike directly to keep the conversation going or explore more of his work.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review and share it with your friends—it really helps us reach more indie film lovers.

Want to support the podcast? Reach out at OregonIndieFilm@gmail.com.

You can find Oregon Indie Film wherever you listen to podcasts—and on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Substack.

Big thanks to NedSpace for sponsoring this episode.

Agegroupwinner.com

Find Alexadra Helgerson:

Listen to her music on Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/@alexandrahelgerson

https://www.patreon.com/lexhelgerson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-helgerson-baaa76a/

https://www.instagram.com/alexandrahelgerson/

Ryan Graves, Hibernation Films https://www.hibernationfilms.com/

Drew Crosby

https://ghoulcaponepicture.wixsite.com/ghoulcapone

www.youtube.com/@ghoulcapone

https://www.instagram.com/ghoulcapone/

https://www.instagram.com/forsakenremainsfilm/

https://www.instagram.com/artdrewcrosby/

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-crosby-744299132/

Portland State University Film Program: https://www.pdx.edu/film/

Sub Basement Studios:

https://subbasementstudios.com/

PSU Viking Film Festival: https://filmfreeway.com/PSUVikingFilmFestival

This episode features author, screenwriter, and director Jennifer Wolfe. We talk about Jennifer’s transition from being an author of young adult fiction to her true love of horror and how to get started in film. Jennifer shares her experience producing and directing her first film during the pandemic which went on to win several awards in the film festival circuit. How she had to let go of being a perfectionist, writing to budget, and the challenge of not only directing an indie feature, but filming it in nine days.

Show Notes:

Jennifer Wolfe's Website

IMDb

Instagram

Facebook

Linked In

Oregon Indie Film is a video podcast that shines the light on Oregon's independent film industry. Host Dawn Sellers interviews Oregon’s independent filmmakers who offer insights into the creative process, challenges, and triumphs of making movies in Oregon. If you would like to support this podcast by becoming a sponsor or a guest reach out OregonIndieFilm@gmail.com

I have been following the progress of Anna Campbell and her film NORA for a while. This is a film that walks the line of film, musical theatre, and music videos. But it is about much more than the music, it explores the struggle many women face. We are told we can have it all, but can we really? NORA navigates this path with a current day narrative many of us will relate to, infused with flashbacks that are big, beautiful, emotional, and reminiscent of when we all thought our lives could best be explained in a flashy music video.

Anna Campbell, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer

NORA

https://norathemovie.com/

streaming now: https://veeps.com/nora

Soundtrack available on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1469230/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-campbell-875458123/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/annawillgram

In this episode Kristina shares her thoughts on Oregon’s independent filmmaking industry, the creative talent that she has witnessed over the last decade as a successful acting coach in Portland, her own film, Miss Ethnic Non-Specific, currently in pre-production, other films she is working on, and the nonprofit she founded, Brett’s Bass Fund which honors her late husband, renowned Bass player, Brett Rothfeld by providing resources to aspiring bass players who may not have the resources to support or learn.

SHOW NOTES:

Website

https://kristinahaddad.net/

IMDb https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0352659/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1

The Actor’s Lab https://theactorslab.com/portland-oregon/

The Great Divide – Upcoming screening at The Clinton Theater June 8th

https://thegreatdividemovie.org/

Fertile Ground – Portland’s Festival of New Works

https://fertilegroundpdx.org/

Miss Ethnic Non-Specific

https://missethnicnonspecific.com/

https://www.instagram.com/missethnicnonspecificfilm/

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-haddad/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/krissy1407/

https://brettsbassfund.org/

Inspired by her son, River, Haven started River Wild Films to write, produce and direct films that are family friendly and all about human connection. The first feature film, Getting Back, has universal themes of grief, fear, hope, family and love. There are deep emotional struggles balanced with lightness and imagination. It explores how we all deal with grief differently, while trying to hold on to the bonds we have.

Show Notes:

RiverWildFilms.com

Instagram: @GettingBackFilm

Facebook: Getting Back: A River Wild Film

YouTube: @Rivers_Wonder

Watch the Getting Back Trailer:

This episode features Devin Febbroriello, writer, director, producer and co-owner of Desert Island Studios, in Portland, Oregon.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Devin to chat. We cover a lot in this episode, from how Devin first knew she wanted to make films, her path through film school and a chance move to Portland, to being chosen as one of the International Screenwriters Association’s top 25 screenwriters to watch in 2025, and about how Desert Island Studios is much more than a studio space, it is a collective of filmmakers and a champion of Oregon’s independent film industry, helping filmmakers create passionate projects and commercial work.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Devin Febbroriello

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Devin Febbroriello on her website

Devin Febbroriello on Instagram

Find out more about Desert Island Studios

Check out the International Screenwriters Association

Kelsey Taylor, writer and director of To Kill A Wolf, an independent feature film, filmed in Oregon. This story is a modern day fairy tale, now playing at Regal Fox Tower in Portland as well as theaters in Bend and Eugene.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Kelsey and talk about how she went from a small town in the center of Washington to Los Angeles where she has made a name for herself as a director and now independent filmmaker.

You’ll hear about how filming near Mt. Hood in February brought some challenges and some unexpected magic as well as the search for distribution and advice for those of you wanting to make a film. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kelsey Taylor.

Show Notes - Links:

To Kill A Wolf Website

Regal Fox Tower Tickets

Kelsey Taylor's Website

Kelsey Taylor on Instagram

Linked In

This episode features award winning Director, Filmmaker, and Photographer, Alicia J Rose.

From music videos to politics, to a hit web series, she’s received wide acclaim from The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, A/V Clug, Paste, Out, and others.

Her current production Menopunks is a bold, unapologetic documentary that exposes the truth behind science and silence. Backed by a fierce lineup of iconic Portland musicians, hormonally radicalized medical practitioners, and celebrity powerhouses - Menopunks cranks up the volume on a conversation long overdue about menopause and women’s right to thrive through mid-life and beyond.

Links:

Alicia J Rose

Menopunks - Get your merch!

Menopunks Official Teaser

Lara Cuddy

Jackie Weissman

Johnna Wells

Support the Project – visit the Fundraising Tour

Catalyst Film Collective

Women In Film Educate/Incubate Program

This episode features tenured professor Dustin Morrow with Portland State’s Film Program. Also a writer, director, editor, and podcaster. Dustin was instrumental in developing the Film Program as the largest in the Pacific Northwest.

We talk about the growth of Portland State’s Film program over the last decade and how important this program is to the ecosystem of Oregon Independent Film. You’ll also hear about how his love of film developed in a small town in Illinois, leading him to Portland via Iowa, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. His enthusiasm for 1980’s film inspired a podcast, and his knowledge of genre films inspires his film students. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dustin Morrow.

SHOW NOTES:

Portland State University School of Film

Reach out to the school by email: psufilm@pdx.edu

Portland State Film on IG

Portland State Film on FB

Dustin Morrow’s website

Dustin Morrow on FB

The Long Rewind Podcast

Kathleen Turner on Acting: Conversations about Film, Television and Theater

This episode features actor, writer, director, and producer Rollyn Stafford. I had only briefly met Rollyn before today so I enjoyed chatting about his background, an intense film school experience in Canada, film festivals, World War II films, shooting locations, and his current film Backseat Driver, screening on August 14th at the Tomorrow Theater. I hope you enjoy this episode. SHOW NOTES: Tomorrow Theater – Tickets for Backseat Driver August 14th

RollynStafford.com

His Work: Zombie Walk

1 Dead Dog

The Mural - Support The Mural on their IndieGoGo

Alison Wesley

Reba Sparrow

Sean Parker

Mundo Catering

Kristina Haddad, The Actors Lab

Kelly Reichardt

Myhraliza Aala https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5878339/

Ammo Content – Distribution

This episode features young filmmaker, Jenine Delusong. As a new college graduate, she talks about her decision to go to Portland State University where she discovered filmmaking and where she created a network of filmmakers who are now embarking on a short film, titled Eden Avenue. It’s a modern retelling of Adam & Eve that incorporates Jenine’s love of art and a transformative journey through art. Jenine discusses her unique approach to filmmaking, what success will look like for her, and what she hopes to accomplish in her filmmaking career. We also talk about how the value we hold as humans shouldn’t feel threatened by Artificial Intelligence.

SHOW NOTES:

Eden Avenue

Eden Avenue Indie Go Go Campaign

Website: https://www.jeninedalusong.com/

Jenine Dalusong on Instagram

Jenine Dalusong Art on Instagram

This episode features storyteller and high school principal, Derek Garrison.

We talk about his success as a screenwriter, giving yourself the permission to make a film, his reasons for producing and directing his feature film Van Damned and how he has already measured the success of this project. You’ll also hear about his inspiration for this story and how it was the ultimate father-son project. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Derek Garrison.

SHOW NOTES:

Derek Garrison on facebook

Van Damned Tickets

Instagram

Tik Tok

Mentioned in this episode:

Nick Stout

Logan Cannon

Lincoln’s Beard

Portland Stumps

This episode features Jon Meyer, a full time musician, filmmaker, director, and editor. We chat about van life, being a working filmmaker in Portland, his award winning documentary Tipping Point, filmed during the 2020 protests in Portland, and pickleball.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

SHOW NOTES:

Website

Music Videos by Jon Meyer ⁨@JonMeyer5150⁩

Instagram: Jon James Meyer

Facebook

Portland Stumps

PortlandStumps@gmail.com

I finally caught up with Logan in between his many film projects to chat about those projects, his path to acting, his advice for actors, how networking in the local Portland film industry has helped him book so many gigs, and how he is helping others do the same.

I hope you enjoy this episode with Logan Cannon.

Instagram

Facebook

Portland Stumps

Actors Tank – Sasha Santiago

POV Filmmakers

Winters, Nebraska

Getting Back

Van Damned

This episode features Dan Schaefer, a freelance Storyboard, Illustration and concept artist, as well as a director and producer. Dan’s credits span over 35 years, highlights include feature films (for NBC/Universal, MGM, Lions Gate, Paramount, Film4, Disney) and local television shows for (ABC, Apple, Netflix, NBC, TNT, USA, HBO, BBC, IFC) Leverage, Grimm, The Librarians, The Break (BBC) American Vandal(Netflix season 2), Here and Now (HBO) The Birch and Sorry For Your Loss (Facebook Watch), The Last Bus (Netflix UK), Leverage (reboot on IMDB TV). It was a pleasure to sit down with Dan to chat about his background, current projects, the film industry in general, and so much more. This episode was recorded at The Sound Stage, the Northwest’s premier voice over, self-tape, and podcast studio. SHOW NOTES: Website FilmStoryBoards.com Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-schaefer-b529442/

The Eastern Oregon Film Festival’s sixteenth year happens this week in La Grande, October 15th through the 18th bringing a curated program that includes 9 features and 41 short films along with filmmaker Q & A sessions, music, parties, and a special staged reading of Bad Day for Bigfoot, the Field Trip project chosen this year.

I am joined today by Christopher Jennings the director and founder of the Eastern Oregon Film Festival.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Chistopher to chat about how La Grande welcomes filmmakers not only for the festival but also throughout the year for location scouting and filming. We chat about how the festival began, the growth it has experienced over the last sixteen years, and big dreams for the future of the festival.

If you want to experience the festival films without making the drive to La Grande, they offer a virtual option so you can watch the selected films online. But just a four-hour drive from Portland, affordable accommodations, and plenty of in person opportunities to meet and mingle with the visiting filmmakers I encourage you to check out this great eastern Oregon town. Tickets are still available.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Christopher Jennings.

SHOW NOTES:

Eofilmfest Website - tickets, festival program

Instagram

Facebook

Linked In

This episode features Anaiah Orlando, a visionary writer, director, and producer of The Man Who Married a Robot which will have its premiere screening tomorrow, October 8th at Tomorrow Theater in Portland, Oregon.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Anaiah to chat about this film and his path to filmmaking. From making his first film with his sister to creating his own small production company and the plans for his future.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Anaiah Orlando

SHOW NOTES:

Tickets for the premiere of The Man Who Married a Robot

Watch the trailer now

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

This episode features Maria Osterroth - Director of the Portland Latin American Film Festival. The film festival kicks off their 19th year on Wednesday September 24th at The Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon. It was a pleasure to sit down with Maria to chat about the festival’s history and its significance in Oregon’s film industry. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Maria Osterroth and be sure to check the show notes for the link to get your tickets. The Portland Latin American Film Festival runs through November 12th at the historic Hollywood Theatre.

SHOW NOTES:

Facebook

Instagram

Full Festival Program

Hollywood Theater Tickets

This episode features Ime Etuk, writer, director, and producer of the feature film Outdoor School which has had multiple sold out screenings and awards on the US festival circuit. Ime is bringing the film home to Portland. As part of Portland Panorama, the screening on April 17th is sold out. But listen to this episode to find out about the encore Portland screening.

This film connects on many levels, but it especially touches the hearts of Portlanders who have themselves experienced how Outdoor School enriches lives. This is a film that Ime wants families to enjoy together and feels it resonates with audiences of all age groups and backgrounds.

We also talk about fundraising, his nonprofit Lion Speaks, mentoring filmmakers, and film distribution within the current challenges of the film industry.

I hope you enjoy this episode of Oregon Indie Film

Show Notes:

OutdoorSchoolTheMovie.com

https://www.instagram.com/outdoorschoolmovie/

https://www.facebook.com/outdoorschoolmovie

Hollywood Theater April 22nd Screening - Get Tickets

https://outdoorschool.eventive.org/schedule/69bd82957a0bc7037d27a404

Lion Speaks https://www.lionspeaks.org/

Ime Etuk

https://www.instagram.com/imeetuk/

https://www.facebook.com/ime.etuk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/imeetuk/

Featuring Kristen Elizabeth, the author of the memoir Shevolved - A True Hollywood Story of artistry, survival, and reinvention. A Film Intimacy Professional, acting coach, and dance instructor based in the Pacific Northwest, Kristen has spent over three decades working in the entertainment industry as an Actor, Acting coach, Intimacy Coordinator, Consultant, and Choreographer for film and television. Her students have gone on to book lead roles on Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, major motion pictures, and Broadway.I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kristen ElizabethTW: This conversation does include discussion of sexual assault and rape.SHOW NOTES:The Book Launch Party and Reading will be on Saturday, March 28th at Rose City Book Pub Website: https://shevolved.com Social Media: IG, Threads, LinkedIn: @ShevolvedEmail: Kristen@Shevolved.com

This episode features Erich Cannon, writer, director, and producer of the feature film His Monster which will make a stop on it’s US Theatrical National Tour, in Portland at Tomorrow Theater on Tuesday, March 17th. SHOW NOTES: March 17th Screening at Tomorrow Theater in Portland, OregonTickets: https://tomorrowtheater.org/movies/his-monster/Compassionate Disaster Films: https://www.compassionatedisasterfilms.com/More about Erich’s work: https://www.compassionatedisasterfilms.com/erichcannonConnect with Erich Cannon on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedInFollow Compassionate Disaster Films on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Welcome to Season Two of the Oregon Indie Film Podcast. I look forward to some great conversations about Oregon's Independent Film Industry this season. If you would like to be a guest or a sponsor reach out OregonIndieFilm@gmail.comPOVFilmmakers.orgMonthly mixers are the fourth Thursday of each month. These mixers are free and welcoming to everyone.