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!