Living & Working
Making Southern Oregon Your “Basecamp”
If you are a film and media professional considering a move to Southern Oregon or if you have already relocated here and want to plug-in, you are not alone. Hundreds of filmmakers and other media artists, technicians, and craftspeople have made this region their home. The city of Ashland, Oregon, has even been recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as a “best place to live and work as a moviemaker” for ten consecutive years, 2014-2023.
Southern Oregon is also a great place to begin exploring your dream career in media production, whether you are a young person just picking up your first camera or a retiree finally realizing a lifelong creative ambition. Our region boasts many high schools with career technical education programs in media, a small liberal arts university with multiple media-related degrees, a community-based media center with adult education and training in public access television, and several fantastic film festivals where you can show your work.
Wherever you are in your media career, Film Southern Oregon is here to support professionals and up-and-comers who wish to set-up shop here. Below we have highlighted some of the regional resources that have made Southern Oregon a nationally-recognized destination for media makers.
Joining OMPA
The Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA) is the statewide trade association for media production professionals. Since 1982, OMPA has helped Oregon’s production industry thrive through advocacy, connections, and promotion. OMPA is the champion of Oregon’s film, television and digital storytelling industry, and a close partner of Film Southern Oregon’s in developing our region’s professional crew base. OMPA helps grow Southern Oregon’s industry by promoting the work of regional members and advocating for them in state and local governments. The key strength of OMPA is its network, representing every facet of media production throughout the state. OMPA members are Oregon’s media production community, known for its spirit of fellowship and solidarity.
We strongly urge every working and aspiring media maker in Southern Oregon to join OMPA (they offer both professional and student memberships) and become an active member of our statewide media production community.
Even if you don’t join OMPA, you can still subscribe to their free weekly newsletter here to receive updates on media production events across the state.
When you join OMPA, you get:
- A priority listing in the online statewide resource directory
- A nonprofit that works day in and day out to strengthen your industry
- Connections to other industry professionals
- A weekly email newsletter updating you on events, grants, screenings, and more
- A weekly email with extensive new job leads
- Multiple venues to promote your work
- Discounted entry to monthly OMPA events
- Regular access to the Columbia and Adidas employee stores
Whether you join OMPA or not, we urge every film and media professional in Southern Oregon to list themselves in the OMPA Crew and Services Directory. Your listing makes a first impression with every project that considers producing in Oregon and keeps you in touch with the crew and producers of Oregon’s industry. Listing makes it easier for you to get hired and stay connected, whether you work in film, video, TV, commercial, or interactive. Listings are vetted, meaning you are among only qualified and experienced professionals. If you have credits in multiple categories, then you may increase your presence by listing in multiple categories.
Basic Listings are free.
Whether you’re looking to take in some independent cinema or exhibit a film of your own, Southern Oregon has you covered with broad range of unique film festivals.
Ashland Independent Film Festival – April in Ashland
Southern Oregon’s largest and longest-running film festival brings the best of American independent cinema to Ashland every April. The festival includes competition categories for documentary and narrative shorts and features and free submission categories for local filmmakers and regional students. Visit ashlandfilm.org for more information.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – February in Ashland
This traveling showcase of outdoor adventure films hits the main campus of Southern Oregon University every year. Visit banffcentre.ca for more information.
Killer Valley Comedy Film Festival – October in Ashland
A one-night genre fest dedicated to the best comedy from around the world. Locals can enter for free. Visit FilmFreeway for more information.
Killer Valley Horror Film Festival – October in Ashland
For more than a decade, Killer Valley has scared Southern Oregon with the gory and bloody. Visit FilmFreeway for more information.
Klamath Independent Film Festival – September in Klamath Falls
The three-day Klamath Independent Film Festival is the largest festival in the region dedicated to Oregon filmmakers, spread across two venues in Klamath Falls. Local filmmakers can request a submission fee waiver and all submitters receive passes to the festival. KIFF also features major cash prizes. Visit KlamathFilm.org for more information.
Siskiyou FilmFest – February in Grants Pass
A festival focused on themes of activism, science, and the history of the environmental movement, especially those from regional filmmakers. Siskiyou also features a youth competition. Visit SiskiyouFilmFest.org for more information.
SOU Student Film Festival – May in Ashland
Southern Oregon’s popular annual exhibition of student and alumni short films screens at the Varsity Theatre the week after Memorial Day.
Varsity World Film Week – October in Ashland
The Ashland Independent Film Festival presents this curated, non-competitive exhibition of global cinema each October.
Jefferson Flixx Fest – September in Fort Jones, CA
While not technically a Southern Oregon festival, the Jefferson Flixx Fest in California’s Scott Valley caters exclusively to filmmakers from the so-called “State of Jefferson,” a region that includes several Southern Oregon counties. Visit FlixxFest.org for more information.
Southern Oregon offers numerous opportunities for professional development and community engagement. Below are just a few of the resources newcomers may find useful.
The Southern Oregon Digital Media Center & Rogue Valley Community Television
The DMC and RVTV offer training, resources, and a public-access television platform to community members who wish to produce and share their own media. Visit dmc.sou.edu and rvtv.sou.edu for more information.
Southern Oregon Small Business Development Center
Setting up a new business in Southern Oregon? The SBDC offers classes, resources, and expert consultation to help support your success. Visit the SBDC online for more information.
Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development (SOREDI)
Focused on entrepreneurship, networking, and the economic development of Southern Oregon, SOREDI offers numerous opportunities, events, and support structures to businesses and professionals who wish to make Southern Oregon their home. Visit SOREDI.org for more information.
Looking for a college degree in media production? Southern Oregon University offers multiple degree programs and minors designed with both traditional and non-traditional students in mind.
The Digital Cinema major prepares the next generation of film and video production professionals for the 21st-century media storytelling marketplace.
The Emerging Media & Digital Arts major emphasizes computer-based creativity with courses in animation, programming, and design.
The Communication major offers concentrations in Communication Studies and Media Innovation.
Students can also minor in Digital Journalism.
If you are new to Southern Oregon or want to visit while considering a move, you will no doubt want to explore all the region has to offer. We recommend Travel Southern Oregon for tips about the best sights, attractions, and adventures to pursue.
