Conor Oberst's Directorial Debut 'Invention 13' Heads to Beyond Fest
Conor Oberst has co-directed a short film titled 'Invention 13' with musician Shawn Foree, set to premiere at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles on September 26. The story centers on a frustrated pianist tackling Bach's complex Invention, with Phoebe Bridgers providing voiceover and Bright Eyes' Nathaniel Walcott composing the score. This marks Oberst's first venture into filmmaking.
The project brings together actors Emory Cohen and Olivia Howard, along with professional skateboarder Nelly Morville, under the joint direction of Oberst and musician Shawn Foree. Bright Eyes member Nathaniel Walcott composed the score, while Phoebe Bridgers—Oberst's former Better Oblivion Community Center collaborator—provides the voiceover. A trailer has not yet been released.
The film's narrative centers on a musician's struggle with a notoriously difficult Bach composition. Oberst, already known as a singer-songwriter, label founder, and bar owner, is now stepping behind the camera for the first time. The premiere is scheduled for September 26 at the Los Angeles-based Beyond Fest.
This debut could draw Oberst's substantial indie music following into the film festival sphere, potentially increasing Beyond Fest's visibility. The involvement of Bridgers and Walcott may similarly attract their distinct fan bases. It may also reflect a growing trend of musicians expanding into directing, offering fresh perspectives on narrative storytelling that could influence how music-centric short films are produced and received.