American indie musicians Conor Oberst and Shawn Foree have announced their debut short film Invention 13, slated to premiere September 26 at Beyond Fest hosted at the legendary Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

According to a press release, the short "takes place on a cold, windy night, when a frustrated pianist encounters strange obstacles while trying to learn Bach’s notoriously intricate Invention."

Shot on Super 16mm film over the course of four sub-freezing nights in January in Omaha, Nebraska, the short film stars Emory Cohen (Rebel Ridge, The OA, Marty Supreme), pro skater Nelly Morville, and introduces newcomer Olivia Howard.

The film also features a voice over from Oberst's famous friend Phoebe Bridgers, who collaborated with Oberst on their Better Oblivion Community Center project, which released a surprise self-titled debut in 2019 via Dead Oceans.

Using a 40-person crew and three dogs, the filmmakers utilized practical effects and hand-drawn animation, with Oberst's fellow Bright Eyes member Nathaniel Walcott composing the film's accompanying soundtrack.

The premiere will pair the short film with Japenese horror classic Hausu (1977), with a director Q&A with Oberst and Foree, moderated by comedian and musician Whitmer Thomas (Stone Quackers)

Purchase tickets to the premiere here.

In other news, this October, Oberst will take Bright Eyes out on the road for an extensive East Coast and Midwest tour. In January 2027, Oberst and co. will also play three shows at the Brooklyn Paramount in New York City, where they will perform I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn in full.

Tickets for the shows are available here.

Bright Eyes Tour Dates:

09/19 Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest
10/02 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall+
10/03 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue+
10/04 Chicago, IL @ Metro+
10/05 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre+
10/06 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s+
10/07 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer+
10/09 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club+
10/10 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel+
10/11 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse+
10/12 Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl+
10/13 New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s+
10/15 Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre+
10/16 Dallas, TX @ Studio at The Factory+
10/17 Kansas City, MO @ The Truman+
10/18 St. Louis, MO @ The Sovereign+
10/20 Omaha, NE @ The Admiral Theater+
01/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount*
01/12 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount*
01/14 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount*

* = playing I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning & Digital Ash in a Digital Urn in full
+ = with Lullaby for the Working Class

The Needle Drop may earn an affiliate commission via purchases on ticket links through this article.