Big Bear Film Festival Slate Includes Openers ‘Big Bear Move’ and ‘Wingman,’ Plus John Candy Doc

The Big Bear Film Festival, a showcase taking place in the southern California mountain community from Sept. 24 to 29, will include the opening night films “Big Bear Move” and buddy comedy “Wingman.”

Narrative features and documentaries to be presented include “John Candy: I Like Me,” “Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter,” “Strait Undercover,” “Forge,” “Bunnylovr” and “Puppy Love.”

Local highlights include the documentary “Big Bear Move,” queer romantic horror film “Shadows of Willow Cabin,” and mystery horror thriller short “IDLE/WILD.” The lineup also includes AI-generated projects “About a Hero” and “Truckin.”

Opening night of the Big Bear Film Festival will also include a gala with a keynote address by former Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso.

The event will highlight narratives across theatrical, literary, audio, AI and more emergent technologies. In addition to showcasing a selection of films, live comedy, gaming, music and a lowrider car show are expected to be featured at the event.

Venues include NeueHouse Holcomb Theater at Sunnybrook Estate, Utopia House at Hotel Marina Riviera and Big Bear Village Theatres.

Damien S. Navarro, former CEO of Outfest and CEO of fest producer of Hueco Tanks, said, “I’ve had the opportunity to spearhead and contribute to labs, festivals, and awards programs with BAFTA, IMDb, Sundance, Easterseals, AMPAS, and the Golden Globes Foundation/HFPA — always with an eye on equity, representation, and, ultimately, funding and removing barriers for all.”

Navarro continued, “The Big Bear Film Festival embraces how today’s narratives move fluidly across film, television, gaming, music, and immersive media. Our mission is to create an alpine-setting incubator that is accessible, inclusive, collaborative, and inspires creativity from nature.”

Falling within Hispanic Heritage Month, the film festival will showcase a slate of Latinx and Spanish-language programming with a tribute to comedy duo Cheech & Chong.

On Sept. 27, the Big Bear Lowrider Invasion will consist of custom show cars, music and vendors, followed by a drive-in triple feature of “Boulevard Nights,” “Born in East L.A.” and “Cheech & Chong: Last Movie.”

The festival will also highlight AAPI, Black, Hispanic, LGBTQIA+ and disability-forward stories, along with Indigenous produced titles like “Our Water Ways.”

Audiences are also expected to hear from a host of keynote speakers, panels and roundtable discussions from President of Basset Vance Productions Lynnette Ramirez, Moonbug’s Courtney Holt, Founder of Upright Citizens Brigade Matt Walsh and others.

The festival expects to welcome over 8,000 attendees across six days.

Tickets go on sale Sept. 1, with early-bird pricing passes available only until then. Prices range from $15 for local and student tickets to $695 for an all-inclusive summit pass.