Port Townsend Film Festival has been called “Sundance by the sea” for outstanding programming, legendary hospitality, and strong support for filmmakers. Situated in a charming yet sophisticated Victorian village two hours from Seattle, PTFF is a destination festival.
Our mission: Sparking community through film.
This video gives a glimpse of PTFF’s vibe: https://ptfilm.org/about-us
"PTFF is the most beautiful, inclusive, dialed-in, well-run, and welcoming festival I have ever attended. The backdrop of the town is stunning and the community is supportive and curious."
~Louise Woerle, PTFF Alumni (2018, 2024)
In 2024, over 70 feature-length and short films were showcased from around the world and we welcomed over 90 filmmakers, presenters and special guests. Filmmaker highlights of the Fall Festival included the Opening Night Gala Dinner held in a venue overlooking the picturesque Port Townsend Bay, the ever-popular Filmmaker Parade (PTFF’s quirky spin on the red carpet arrival), post-film Q&As, the Awards Party, industry-focused workshops and panels, complimentary meals in the Filmmaker/VIP Lounge daily, networking mixers, and the Closing Night Filmmaker Party.
PTFF goes above and beyond awards and prizes for our alumni. Once a film is accepted, the filmmaker becomes a part of our family with benefits that include:
• Waived submission for future festivals (limited to one per year)
• Eligibility for the PTFF Filmmaking Residency
• Eligibility to lead a PTFF Film Forum
Past special guests have included Danny Glover, Cloris Leachman, Debra Winger, Tony Curtis, Elliot Gould, Beau Bridges, Peter Fonda, Eva Marie Saint, Bruce Dern, Patricia Neal, Indigo Girls, Malcolm McDowell, Piper Laurie, Chris Cooper, Karen Allen, John Sayles, Morgan Neville, Dyan Cannon, Buck Henry, Lindsay Wagner, Arliss Howard, Jane Powell, Shirley Knight, Charlie Soap, John Cooper, Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess, Stephen Tobolowsky, Catherine Hardwicke, and Louie Schwartzberg.
“PTFF programs the exquisite, yummy, sometimes quirky films that get me in the feels and make me rethink the things I thought I knew.” ~Francine Strickwerda, PTFF Alumni (2024)
In an effort to raise visibility for underrepresented voices, we offer:
LGBTQ+: Directors identifying as LGBTQ+ please use code PTFF25lgbtq for 25% off submission fee, applicable to all film categories.
PGM: Directors identifying as People of the Global Majority please use code PTFF25pgm for 25% off submission fee, applicable to all film categories.
STUDENT: Directors currently registered as a student studying film please email christy@ptfilm.org with student ID image to receive a 50% discount code, applicable to film categories.
Additional discount codes and waivers available:
LOCAL: Directors residing in the Olympic/Kitsap Peninsulas and Puget Sound Islands please email christy@ptfilm.org with proof of county residency to receive a 30% discount code applicable to all film categories. (Eligible counties include: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan)
PTFF ALUMNI: If you have had a film screen as an Official Selection at either Port Townsend Film Festival or PTFF Women & Film, please email christy@ptfilm.org with your name, year you screened, title of the film, and your role on the film to receive a SINGLE-USE waiver code, applicable to all film categories.
SPECIAL INVITATION - Calling Women Filmmakers!
PTFF specifically invites women filmmakers to submit their films. The 2025 festival includes a Women & Film track, involving networking events, reception, panel discussion, and highlighted marketing featuring the wide variety of women-made films in our line-up.
SPECIAL INVITATION - Western Washington Produced Short Films
We encourage short film submissions from Western Washington-based filmmakers. While PTFF presents films from around the globe, we also have the goal of supporting local filmmakers. Selected films will be featured in a Western WA Shorts block in the 2025 festival lineup. Please click on Local Short Film on the right drop down menu for more guidelines and info. And don't forget to request your LOCAL discount code if you live on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas or San Juan Islands!
SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
In addition to accepting film submissions, we invite local screenwriters living on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas and Puget Sound Islands to submit their work. Rules & Terms as well as Award details are below.
We look forward to seeing your work!
Each Official Selection will receive digital laurels. Each Winner will receive additional digital laurels. Cash prizes are noted below.
• Jury Award for Best Feature Narrative $2,500 prize
• Jury Award for Best Feature Documentary $2,500 prize
• Jury Award for Best Short Narrative
• Jury Award for Best Short Documentary
• Jury Commendations awarded at the discretion of PTFF Jury
• Jim Ewing First Feature Award $1,000 prize
• Spirit of PTFF, to a film/filmmaker embodying the essence of our unique celebration
• Audience Favorite, awarded in 4 categories: Feature and Short Documentary, Feature and Short Narrative
• Best Short Screenplay receives:
> 2026 film production by a regional filmmaking team
> Inclusion in the 2026 PTFF line up
> Inclusion in ongoing support as a “PTFF Alumni Filmmaker”
