Friday Harbor Film Festival features 3 days of award winning documentary films about the diverse cultures and environments of the Pacific Rim and beyond. Films will feature fascinating island cultures, revealing marine ecology, heroic adventures, sustainable agriculture, social justice, current environmental issues and stirring human interest stories. Filmmakers will be on hand throughout the event to introduce their films and participate in a forum on documentary filmmaking, mingle with filmgoers and answer questions.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS: Chosen by Audience voting.
Audience Choice Overall
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best of theme: "Tales from the Heart"
"Explorers & Adventures"
"Things To Consider"

Winners receive large metal "Salmon" award.

Rules & Terms

OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSION FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS

Documentary films about the diverse cultures and environments of the Pacific Rim and beyond. Films will feature fascinating island cultures, revealing marine ecology, heroic adventures, sustainable agriculture, social justice, current environmental issues and stirring human- interest stories.

RULES

Film submission deadline is July 1st, 2018

-Features: Documentary and Documentary style Bio Dramas

-Shorts: All

Friday Harbor Film Festival features 3 days of award winning documentary films about the diverse cultures and environments of the Pacific Rim. Films will feature fascinating island cultures, revealing marine ecology, heroic adventures, sustainable agriculture, social justice, current environmental issues and stirring human- interest stories. Filmmakers will be on hand throughout the event to introduce their films and participate in a forum on documentary filmmaking, mingle with filmgoers and answer questions. Go to www.fhff.org for films from past festivals.

Copyright Agreement: By entering this contest, all entrants agree that their submissions are original pieces of work, and do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others and is in compliance with all copyright laws. It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submitted film. The Friday Harbor Film Festival disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the submitted film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for copyright infringement. It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to secure authorization and permission from the owner(s) of any and all trademarked content or materials included within the submitted film. The Friday Harbor Film Festival disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any trademarked content or materials within or relating to the submitted film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angie Violet Hawes

    The most wonderful film festival in the world.
    Great communication, very nice people and sweet awards!
    Looking forward to next year!
    Thank you very much!!!!
    Angel Violet Hawes

    November 2017
    Helpful
  • Lucy Ostrander

    I have attended a countless number of festivals in decades of independent documentary filmmaking and the Friday Harbor Film Festival stands out as a mostly unknown gem that incorporates all the elements of a top-notch small film festival. FHFF benefits from:
    - a charming location with a variety of pleasant close venues
    - a strong festival vision that reflects the values of the town – sufficiently specific to provide a powerful overall theme, while welcoming a variety of other films
    - a spirited and indefatigable management team that keeps the schedule running on time, without a hint of any stress or rancor
    - a sturdy base of friendly, hard working volunteers, who seem to come back year after year as they are having such a good time
    - a diverse, supportive structure of local businesses
    - an eager, interested audience, usually filling most venues.

    I just attended the festival for the third time, and each time it gets better. Friday Harbor provides a beautiful location that while remote (accessible by ferry or small plane), it offers the amenities of a bustling town. The compact and friendly nature of the festival makes it easy to meet other filmmakers as well as interesting volunteers and audience members. I expect FHFF's reputation to increase as it continues to screen important films on the environment and thought-provoking films in other areas. I will jump at the chance of returning.

    November 2017
    Helpful
  • Pat Battistini

    I can't say enough how great this film festival is. The entire town surrounds and supports the film screened. The hosts, staff, and volunteers treated everyone so well.

    On the way over to the Island, I was amazed at how hard the festival worked to advertise the event. I saw programs and posters everywhere. There was even a video presentation on the ferry that the passengers were watching. It really paid off because every screening I went to was either full or near capacity.

    There were 4-5 screening locations and they were all within walking distance from the hotels and festival office. This made it so easy to get around from place to place. Each film was screened twice which gave the audiences more opportunity to see your film.

    The festival hosted a filmmaker lounge which was generously stocked with food and drinks. It was a great place to sit around and meet your fellow filmmakers in between sessions. As a filmmaker, it's not always easy to find the time to meet other filmmakers and have a nice long chat with them. The lounge turned out to be a great haven to relax and make a lot of new friends!

    This is truly a filmmaker's festival and I hope to return with another film some day.

    Thank you Lynn, Karen, and the entire FHFF team! You guys really hit it out of the ballpark!

    November 2016
    Helpful
  • Kantha Productions

    A very friendly documentary film festival. Lots of community volunteer support and film maker involvement in a charming setting. We met some very interesting people with whom we've stayed in touch. It's a bit of a trek to get to San Juan Island, but well worth the trip. Come early or stay after to enjoy the beauty of the island.

    May 2016
    Helpful