Eastern Oregon University > Alumni > Eastern Oregon Film Festival Marks 16 Years of Independent Cinema, Music, and Community with EOU as Proud Sponsor

Eastern Oregon Film Festival Marks 16 Years of Independent Cinema, Music, and Community with EOU as Proud Sponsor

Eastern Oregon Film Festival Marks 16 Years of Independent Cinema, Music, and Community with EOU as Proud Sponsor

La Grande, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is proud to once again serve as a presenting sponsor and host venue for the Eastern Oregon Film Festival (EOFF) as it celebrates its sixteenth year of bringing world-class independent cinema and live music to La Grande.

Fire in a barrel outside of hq, a venue for the the Eastern Oregon Film Festival.

From Oct. 15th through the 18th, 2025, downtown La Grande and the EOU campus will showcase screenings, panel discussions, concerts, and community events designed to inspire and connect audiences. Screenings will be held at McKenzie Theater and Schwartz Theater on the EOU campus, as well as at the Liberty Theatre, HQ, and additional partner venues.

“Eastern Oregon Film Festival has become one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events,” said Christopher Jennings. “We are proud of our filmmakers, musicians, and audiences from near and far, and to help foster the kind of community engagement and creative expression that this festival embodies.”

The festivities begin on Wednesday, October 15, with a staged reading of Bad Day for Bigfoot at EOU’s Schwartz Theater, setting the stage for three full days of feature-length films, short film programs, music showcases, and special events.

Highlights include:

  • Opening Night (Oct. 16): Double feature at McKenzie Theater — hitoláayca (Going Upriver) and Burrowing Owls: A Love Story — followed by a Q&A and live music.
  • Short Film Blocks (Oct. 17–18): Innovative programming across multiple venues, including Party Shorts, Oregon Comedy, Drama Shorts, and Horror/Thriller Shorts, spotlighting both regional and international filmmakers.
  • Feature Documentaries: Firebreak and The Opener, films that explore resilience, creativity, and transformation through powerful storytelling.
  • Closing Night (Oct. 18): McKenzie Theater hosts It’s Only Love and Into the Unknown: My Cancer Story with filmmaker Matthew Thomas Ross in attendance, followed by a festival-closing celebration at HQ.

In addition to in-person events, EOFF will also offer virtual screenings through its online platform, expanding access to audiences beyond La Grande.

Founded in 2009, the Eastern Oregon Film Festival has grown into a cornerstone cultural event for the region, recognized for its bold curation and welcoming atmosphere. EOU’s continued sponsorship underscores the university’s commitment to supporting the arts, strengthening community ties, and providing unique cultural opportunities for students, alumni, and residents of eastern Oregon.

Festival Passes and Tickets
Passes are available online at eofilmfest.com/tickets. Single screening tickets go on sale September 25. Discounted rates are available for students and community members.

Box Office Hours
Opens Wednesday, October 15 at 4:00 p.m. at EOU and Saturday mornings in front of the Liberty Theatre.

For the full catalog of films and schedule, visit:

This is a picture of a movie screen in McKenzie Auditorium at Eastern Oregon University