One of the films will celebrate Catherine Coulson, longtime OSF actor known to many as the Log Lady of TV’s ‘Twin Peaks’
By Jim Flint for Ashland News
Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 5, for the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Set for Thursday through Sunday, April 24-27, AIFF will showcase independent films from around the world on the screens of Ashland’s Varsity Theatre.
A highlight of the festival will be the Oregon premiere of “I Know Catherine, the Log Lady,” a documentary celebrating the life and legacy of Catherine E. Coulson, an icon of stage and screen best known for her cult-favorite role as the Log Lady in the TV series “Twin Peaks” and for her 22 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Carina Kolodny, an AIFF board member, is excited about the lineup, which features a breadth of material and topics not seen since the pandemic.
“It has something for everyone,” she said. “And I’m personally especially excited for the films that have a local flavor.”
“Raising Aniya,” a film by SOU professor Chris Lucas, will be featured at the festival.
“Chris is a mentor to countless filmmakers in the Rogue Valley, so it will be a real treat to see his work,” Kolodny said.
Among other films with a local connection, “The Hole Story” will take viewers on a wild ride at Mount Shasta, and the Coulson documentary celebrates an actor who endeared herself to many locals who are fans of her work at OSF and beyond.
And speaking of local connections, AIFF has secured partnerships with many Rogue Valley entities.
“For nearly every film, we’re partnering with a local organization,” Kolodny said, “from the Ashland Co-op to OSF to the Jackson County Library System.”
She hopes the partnerships will help bring in new audiences.
“The magic of a film festival is in the shared experience,” she said. “We’re looking forward to seeing new faces fill up the Varsity this year, along with our longtime regulars.”
The pandemic affected most arts organizations, AIFF among them. It required the board, staff and volunteers to be creative and nimble in order to build back to a full-fledged festival this year. It was a difficult claw back, but AIFF is poised for success, Kolodny said.
“We’ll end this festival with money in the bank,” she said. “That’s no small feat for our second year back. That said, we have a way to go to secure all the funding necessary to make next year’s 25th anniversary festival all that it can be.”
Talkbacks are a popular feature at AIFF, featuring filmmakers and stars. Among those participating in Q&A’s this year are Kim Snyder (“The Librarians”), Chris Lucas (“Raising Aniya”), Sandi Dubowski (“Sabbath Queen”), Richard Green (“I Know Catherine”) and some surprise guests.
On closing night, four of Ashland’s most accomplished filmmakers will gather to preview their soon-to-be-released feature films. They are the husband-and-wife director-producer teams of Bruce Campbell and Ida Gearon, and Gary and Annie Lundgren.
Tickets can be purchased online at ashlandfilm.org and in person at the theater. Many showings sell out, so purchasing tickets in advance is the best way to ensure getting a seat.
Patrons also can make tax-deductible donations on the website. Click “donate now” in the upper-right-hand corner of the home page.
There will be no online streaming of any films.
A schedule of the film showings follows. Visit the website for additional information about the festival and the films. The schedule below specifies film title, viewing date, time and on which Varsity screen the film will be shown.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
The 2025 AIFF lineup
“Row of Life”
Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m., V1
Friday, April 25, 10:10 a.m., V4
Saturday, April 26, 7:10 p.m., V4
Sunday, April 27, 1:20 p.m., V3
“The White House Effect”
Thursday, April 24, 1 p.m., V1
Friday, April 25, 1:20 p.m., V3
Saturday, April 26, 4:10 p.m., V4
“Sultana’s Dream”
Thursday, April 24, 4 p.m., V1
Friday, April 25, 10:20 a.m., V3
Saturday, April 26, 1:30 p.m., V5
Sunday, April 27, 7:10 p.m., V4
“I Know Catherine, the Log Lady”
Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m., V1 (Q&A with Richard Greene)
Friday, April 25, 1:30 p.m., V5
Saturday, April 26, 10:20 a.m., V3
Sunday, April 27, 1:10 p.m., V4
“My Omaha”
Thursday, April 24, 10:20 a.m., V3
Friday, April 25, 1:10 p.m., V4
Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m., V5
Sunday, April 27 3:45 p.m., V1
“Raising Aniya”
Thursday, April 24, 1:20 p.m., V3
Friday, April 25, 4:20 p.m., V3 (Q&A with Chris Lucas)
Saturday, April 26, 1:10 p.m., V4
Sunday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., V5
“Tales From the Shortlist”: Shorts program that includes “Death By Numbers,” “Chasing Roo,” “Eternal Father”
Thursday, April 24, 4:20 p.m., V3
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m., V1
“The Librarians”
Thursday, April 24, 7:20 p.m., V3
Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., V5
Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m., V1
Sunday, April 27, 1:30 p.m., V5
“Mistress Dispeller”
Thursday, April 24, 10:10 a.m., V4
Friday, April 25, 4:30 p.m., V5
Saturday, April 26, 7:20 p.m., V3
Sunday, April 27, 4:10 p.m., V4
“Seeds”
Thursday, April 24, 1:10 p.m., V4
Friday, April 25, 7 p.m., V1 (Q&A with Brittany Shyne)
Saturday, April 26, 1:20 p.m., V3
Sunday, April 27, 4:30 p.m., V5
“The Hole Story”
Thursday, April 24, 4:10 p.m., V4
Friday, April 25, 7:10 p.m., V4
Saturday, April 26, 4:20 p.m., V3
Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m., V1
“Assembly”
Thursday, April 24, 7:10 p.m., V4
Friday, April 25, 10 a.m., V1
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 a.m., V5
Sunday, April 27, 7:20 p.m., V3
“Suburban Fury”
Thursday, April 24, 10:30 a.m., V5
Friday, April 25, 4 p.m., V1
Saturday, April 26, 10:10 a.m., V4
Sunday, April 27, 4:20 p.m., V3
“Sabbath Queen”
Thursday, April 24, 1:30 p.m., V5
Friday, April 25, 1 p.m., V1
Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m., V1 (Q&A with Sandi Dubowski)
Sunday, April 27, 10:10 a.m., V4
“I’m Your Venus”
Thursday, April 24, 4:30 p.m., V5
Friday, April 25, 7:20 p.m., V3
Saturday, April 26, 4 p.m., V1
Sunday, April 27, 10:30 a.m., V5
“Little, Big, and Far”
Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., V5
Friday, April 25, 4:10 p.m., V4
Saturday, April 26, 4:30 p.m., V5
Sunday, April 27, 10:20 a.m., V3
Skye Fitzgerald’s Humanitarian Trilogy: Shorts program that includes: “50 Feet From Syria,” “Hunger Ward” and “Lifeboat”
Friday, April 25, 10:30 a.m., V5
Sunday, April 27, 10 a.m., V1
An Evening With Bruce Campbell, Ida Gearon & Gary and Annie Lundgren: Two local producer couples share sneak preview clips from their upcoming feature films “Ernie & Emma” and “Pelican.”
Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m., V1
TALKBACKS:
AI & Cinematic Storytelling
Friday, April 25, 4:30 p.m. at AIFF Film Center, 389 E. Main St, Ashland
Brittany Shyne Shorts and Conversation
Saturday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. at AIFF Film Center
“Working With Catherine” with Richard Greene and special guests
Sunday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at Carpenter Hall, 44 S. Pioneer St., Ashland
“The Beauty of the Score: The Joys and Perils of Collaborating With Directors
Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at AIFF Film Center
