River Bend Film Festival
September 3-5, 2026
Goshen, Indiana
River Bend Film Festival 2026
Where Waters Meet
September 3-5, 2026 | Downtown Goshen, Indiana
Thank you so much to all the filmmakers, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who made the 2025 River Bend Film Festival one for the books. The energy, creativity, and passion you shared—along with the support of our wonderful community—helped make last year’s festival an unforgettable and record-breaking experience!
Get ready for more, because the 2026 River Bend Film Festival is bringing the magic, the mystery, and the masters of storytelling back to the big screen right here in Goshen, Indiana. This year, the River Bend Film Festival—the only festival of its kind in the Michiana area—once again presents a cinematic experience like no other, and we are beyond thrilled to announce a truly iconic special guest.
Doug Jones — Live At River Bend
From haunting creatures to unforgettable characters, Indianapolis native and Ball State graduate Doug Jones (The Shape of Water, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Tank Girl, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) has become a legendary Hollywood fixture by transforming the art of performance beneath the mask. Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight with us at the 2026 River Bend Film Festival!
Help us welcome Doug for appearances, featuring:
- Live Q&A Sessions
Go behind the scenes of some of cinema’s most visually stunning films. - Meet & Greet Opportunities
Connect with the man behind the magic. - Special Screenings
Experience fan-favorite films in a whole new way. - Insider Stories
Hear firsthand what it takes to bring otherworldly characters to life.
A Festival That Celebrates Story
River Bend isn’t just a festival—it’s a gathering of dreamers, creators, and film lovers. Across multiple days, you’ll discover:
- Independent films from bold new voices
- Panels with industry insiders
- Workshops to sharpen your craft
- Late-night screenings and unforgettable moments
Set against the backdrop of The Maple City—a regional hub for shopping, dining, nightlife, arts, music, and all-things-creative—the 2026 River Bend Film Festival promises an electric, film-focused atmosphere, creativity, connection, good times, and cinematic splendor.
2026 Sizzle Reel
2026 Award Winners
Legacy Award
The Shape of Water
Actor: Doug Jones
Spirit of the Fest
Crystal Cross
Director: Richie James Follin
Best Narrative Short
Meeting Your Maker
Director: Gregory Kasunich
Best Indiana Short
So Tender A Flame
Director: Carolyne Paschal
Best Indiana Documentary
Sincerely, Ric
Directors: Jesse Carfield
Best Feature-Length Documentary
Cycling Without Age
Director: Diana La Riva
Best Short-Length Screenplay
I Once Was A Person Too
Writer: Galen Collins
Best Feature-Length Screenplay
CAEL
Writer: Christian Dalton
Maureen Zent
Director, Toil and Spin
Had a fabulous time at River Bend, a festival with wonderful hospitality and great programs of films. This is an easy place to connect with other filmmakers. Most importantly I was happy to have my film included in a strong and carefully selected program. Worth the effort to go, if you get in!
Patrick Curran
Writer/Director, Snowbird
Not enough room here to cover all of what I loved best about River Bend. There’s a personalized touch to every aspect of the weekend. Communication is really strong in the lead up to the week, and what sets River Bend apart from the rest is the amount of filmmaker EVENTS to participate in.
Hakan Ünal
Independent Filmmaker, Purgatorio
I’m truly honored that my short script Purgatorio received the Best Short Script Award at this year’s River Bend Film Festival. This festival stands out for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, its dedication to celebrating independent voices, and its commitment to meaningful dialogue between filmmakers and audiences. The organization, communication, and support for artists were excellent throughout the process.
Graham Hastings
Writer/Director, Anywhere, IL
It was an absolute privilege to attend the festival for my film Anywhere, IL. The town of Goshen was very charming and the team’s great communication and excellent events made the experience incredibly special. Thank you so much for having me!
Joe Reiter
Independent Filmmaker, Ice Moon: Fear & Aliens | A Cosmic Adventure
River Bend Film Festival was awesome! Great hospitality, and organizers did a great job at getting us all the info we needed to plan a weekend in Goshen. Goshen Theatre was an amazing venue to host the screenings, and seeing my short on the big screen was such a rewarding experience. I met tons of great artists and directors, and I am looking forward to submitting again next year!!
Clare O'Connor
Actor/Writer/Director, Kind Mother
I had a fantastic experience at River Bend. The communication before and during the festival was excellent. The Goshen theater was stunning and it was a treat to screen my film Kind Mother there. Very grateful to the whole team who put on this wonderful festival!
Michele Noble
Director, The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge
River Bend Film Festival is a terrific film festival!! Jordan Hodges and the whole team is attentive and really deliver for the films and filmmakers. Very cool programming with well attended screenings! The after screening gatherings and morning coffee talks were great for networking. It was great to be a part of this AWESOME film festival! Highly recommend!
Patrick Curran
Writer/Director, Snowbird
The whole experience is filmmaker focused, from beginning to end, and the charm of Goshen is on full display, with loads of locals excited to support indie film. The venue is also the prettiest of our entire tour. Gorgeous theatre, warm and welcoming staff and volunteers and some beautifully curated shorts blocks. This is a can’t miss fest.
Hakan Ünal
Independent Filmmaker, Purgatorio
It is clear that River Bend is not only a festival, but also a community that values bold stories and encourages creative risk-taking. I’m grateful to the jury and the team for recognizing my work, and I look forward to following and supporting the festival in the years ahead. Highly recommended for filmmakers and writers seeking a platform that truly cares about independent storytelling.
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