GOSHEN, Ind. -- Downtown Goshen is hosting the 22nd River Bend Film Festival on Aug. 28 through Aug. 30 at Goshen Theatre. 

The three-day program includes films, free events, entertainment, and exclusive mixers. 

River Bend Film Festival features two entire blocks of films created by filmmakers from the Hoosier state.

Sponsored by the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau and its Well-Crafted mission, the festival offers free popcorn to all in attendance during its Film Indiana screening block on Aug. 30, from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Goshen Theater.

“We saw such an increase in submissions of films made in Indiana this year—and it’s an achievement for us to be able to devote two entire blocks of screenings to Hoosier-made films,” said Joni Earl, Festival Director.

“That has never happened before, and it means a lot to us. Festivals like River Bend, that celebrate the work of independent filmmakers, are crucial to inspiring the next generation of filmmakers right here in our area and our region. To get so many Indiana submissions tells us that we’re getting through and making an impact.”

Feature film screenings at the 2025 River Bend Film Festival include “Drink and be Merry,” a holiday comedy starring Yellowstone’s Jefferson White, and director Linus O’Brien’s heartfelt, beautiful documentary “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror”, his insider’s look into the work of his father, Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien.

The River Bend Film Festival also presents an Aug. 29 double feature of sorts, starting at 9 p.m., presenting director Linus O’Brien’s rising feature film selection “Strange Journey” which includes interviews with Tim Curry, Richard O’Brien, and Susan Sarandon, and a rare appearance by Peter Hinwood, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session with the director.

The festival then presents a special, late-night screening of the elder O’Brien’s legendary cult classic film, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”