What were you doing on 9/11? That question has been asked countless times since that terrifying day. In American Folk, musicians Amber Rubarth and Joe Purdy star in a story about two stranded people’s journey back to the people and places they love. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, the film explores the power of music to connect people, showing the transformative role folk music can play in American culture.

Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) staff are thrilled to collaborate with BendFilm in the screening of American Folk on Wednesday, September 5, at The Belfry. BendFilm’s executive director, Todd Looby, will conduct a Q&A with Rubarth and Purdy at the screening.

Steven Remington, SFF’s development director, reached out to Looby about the collaboration. He commented, “Songwriting and filmmaking are two of the most potent, immersive forms of storytelling. And here was this quiet, poignant film reallyexploring both. I thought it would resonate with both of our audiences and maybe begin a relationship with BendFilm that could grow.”

Looby responded, “We have music and film supporters who love Sisters and Bend and we’ve been looking for ways to work together. This opportunity around the film sounded great. It’s the type of film we like to screen. It’s exciting to us that the people in the film would be at the Sisters Folk Festival.”

SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel saw the film while scouting for festival talent at Folk Alliance in Kansas City.

“In speaking with Amber, I recognized the opportunity to offer something to our patrons that was different and used music in a film medium. I saw a set with Amber and Joe that inspired me to see the film,” he explained.

Tisdel saw the film as a story of redemption and community-building, something folk music often brings to people’s lives. Both consummate musicians, Rubarth and Purdy will be teaching at this year’s Americana Song Academy prior to performing at the festival.

Tisdel believes folk musicians and storytellers are observers of society who bring truth into the public eye and ear through music. In developing the festival lineup, Tisdel and the SFF talent committee work to weave many strands of Americana music together.

“The integration of different

cultures and people helps keep musical experiences unique and new. Collaborations create a bridge for people of disparate backgrounds and cultures to hear each other’s stories and find common ground,” Tisdel said. “It’s bringing people together in community around a common goal and experience and you feel that at the Sisters Folk Festival.”

Looby will announce highlights for the upcoming BendFilm Festival, to be held October 11–14, during The Belfry screening. More than 110 films will be shown at the 15th anniversary festival.

Remington and Looby are excited to see how combining film and folk music can bring people together around story and song and hope the screening of American Folk will be the beginning of many collaborations between the two organizations.

Entrance to the film is free, but advance tickets are required. A limited number of seats are still available at sistersfolkfestival.org/tickets.