Welcome To Season 13!
September Film Showing
American Agitators
September 18, 2025 6:30PM
American Agitators
Award-winning filmmaker Raymond Telles’ latest documentary, “American Agitators”, highlights the power of grassroots activism and its ongoing impact on movements today by telling the story of legendary organizer Fred Ross Sr.
American Agitators shows how Fred Ross Sr. for decades mobilized communities to challenge segregation, fight for voting rights, and empower labor movements. It follows organizers today who continue Ross’s work, tackling issues such as fair wages, workers’ rights, and systemic inequality.
“We are at a crucial moment in history where understanding the power of organizing is more important than ever,” said Telles, “Fred Ross Sr.’s story is a testament to the fact that change doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through persistence, dedication, and the collective strength of everyday people. We are honored to premiere this film at the Cinequest Film Festival, a platform that champions stories of resilience and transformation.”
94 minutes
Audience discussion following the film – Zoom call in with the director and writer Ray Telles.
Discussion Panel
Audience Q&A Panelist
Raymond Telles’ thirty-five year career in film and television includes numerous documentaries and segments for PBS, ABC, NBC, Nat Geo, Discovery and Univision. Telles is an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies and Artist in Residence at the Latinx Research Center and Affiliated Faculty at the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2018 he was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award, Division of Social Sciences, College of Letters and Science.
Remembering Our Founder Vicki Anderson On the Occasion of Her Celebration of Life – February 8, 2025
In 2011, Vicki Anderson went to see a documentary film in Salem, Oregon and was very impressed by the film and the audience discussion that followed. She did some research on how that film series was put together and decided to offer a similar educational experience (and call to action) in Eugene. With some friends, she started a nonprofit organization called Encircle Films to host a series, running from September through May, that offered a monthly documentary film on social justice topics with subject matter experts available to discuss the film and answer audience questions afterward. There were financial challenges and legal hurdles to becoming a non-profit and negotiations were required with partners like the Bijou Art Theater, but largely due to Vicki’s persistence and determination, Encircle Films overcame those hurdles. The Encircle Film Series kicked off in September 2013 with a film called “American Winter” on the Great Recession of 2008 and its ongoing impacts on working families.
All of us on the Encircle Films Board of Directors and a still growing audience of concerned citizens in Eugene are indebted to Vicki and her vision and determination as we continue to do our best to educate and activate our audiences in what is now Encircle Film’s 12th Season. We’ve survived three theater changes and a pandemic, but have continued to build our mailing list while our monthly screenings consistently sell out. Vicki’s vision and positive impact on the Eugene/Springfield community live on through Encircle Films.
Encircle Films Presents: 2025 Current News and Updates
Encircle Films presented a “Citizen George Award” in honor of Frank Vignola to Mary Vignola and his family at the showinig of the documentary “Citizen George” on February 20, 2025 at the Art House.
Frank Vignola was an active Eugene environmental and anti-war activist before his death in 2023. He was a dedicated advocate for solar energy for over 50 years, helped to ban field burning in Oregon, and was an early developer of the Peace Park in Alton Baker Park, which honors Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Watch “In Memory of Frank Vignola” shown at the award presentation. https://youtu.be/WS4Ns4xQ-hI?si=OCWZuYCTreeVQEuV
We are a 501(c)(3) Qualified non-profit member of The Oregon Cultural Trust! This means that when you donate to Encircle Films you can then donate to The Oregon Cultural Trust and receive an Oregon State tax credit up to allowable amounts. To get details and questions answered find the page on the main navigation bar or, Click HERE!
Encircle Films Series
We are looking forward to engaging audiences at our home venue, the Art House, for our 12th season, bringing you documentaries to inform and inspire action!
Seating is NOT reserved, advanced tickets are recommended. All seats have excellent screen view.
Art House Info (Click Here)
492 E. 13th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97401
$12.00 ADULTS
$9.00 STUDENTS (WITH ID)
$9.00 SENIORS (62+)
Encircle
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Inform and Inspire
Help support Encircle Films –
a 501(c)(3) non-profit and qualified member of The Oregon Cultural Trust!
About Us
The mission of Encircle Films is to create awareness of important social issues by showing impactful documentaries, inviting guest speakers to facilitate audience discussions, and inspiring citizens to get involved. Now in our eleventh season, we are a group of community-minded individuals dedicated to exploring issues that affect us on a global and local level. Our goal is to give voice to our spirit of concern for community, country, and planet.
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Encircle Films is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run by a volunteer-based board of directors. Donations are tax-deductible.
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