It's an unfortunate reality - many great film festivals have become launching grounds for big studio pictures trying to build indie cred, get pre-oscar buzz or snag that olive leaf festival seal for the DVD box. New voices and struggling filmmakers often get bumped from festival lineups in favor of studio films unspooling just prior to their national debut in theaters. BendFilm shatters this all to common mold with a fiercely independent festival (set in the picturesque resort town of Bend,Oregon) dedicated to great truly independent films and the filmmakers who make them. Last year BendFilm was the launch pad for The Puffy Chair and The Real Dirt on Farmer John. This year we have a preview of six of the films playing at the BendFilm fest including: Pirate Radio, USA, Dance Party, USA, Chalk, 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama, Trout Grass and Eve and The Firehorse. At least one the six films will undoubtedly find its wings and get greater attention after the fest. Read our complete festival preview of BendFilm 2006.