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, Washington, PTFF is a destination festival.

In 2024 we celebrate our 25th season. Plans are underway to make this year’s event extraordinary.

"If you had told me that there was a movie-crazy town on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, I wouldn’t have believed you. But somehow Port Townsend is a real movie mecca. As a filmmaker, I can’t think of a place more energized around the idea of film. PTFF is the driving engine of a community of people who love movies. What the Festival has created is a treasure, to be re-discovered every year.”
--Morgan Neville

The four-day in-person festival is fully walkable, featuring over fifty films and over thirty filmmakers and other special guests in attendance. Filmmaker highlights include: the Gala Dinner, Filmmaker Parade, post-film Q&As, Awards Party, Filmmaker Party (industry only), relaxing in the Filmmakers Lounge or by the water.

PTFF goes above and beyond awards and prizes for our alumni. Once we accept a film, the filmmaker becomes a part of our filmmaker family and gains membership in the PTFF Alumni network. PTFF Alumni benefits include:

• Waived submission fees for future festivals
• Eligibility for the PTFF Filmmaking Residency
• Access to the Producers Circle (and the chance for film funding)
• Eligibility to lead a PTFF Film Forum workshop

Past special guests include: 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, and Stephen Tobolowsky.

"We call PTFF 'Xanadau!' Would return in a heartbeat!"
--Chris Cooper & Marianne Leone Cooper

In 2024, the in-person festival is September 19-22, and the virtual festival is September 23-29.

We look forward to seeing your work,

Danielle McClelland, Executive Director
Jane Julian, Programmer
Christy Spencer, Program Manager

• Best Feature Narrative $2,500 cash prize
• Best Feature Documentary $2,500 cash prize
• Jim Ewing First Feature Award $1,000 cash prize
• Best Short Narrative
• Best Short Documentary
• Special Jury Recognitions awarded at the discretion of the jury
• Spirit Award to a film capturing the essence of our unique celebration
• Audience Choice is awarded in 4 categories: Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary, Short Narrative, Short Documentary

To be eligible for PTFF 2024, films must comply with the following:

• Grant permission for two (2) in person screenings Sep 19-22, 2024.
• Grant permission for virtual festival screening Sep 23-29, 2024. (Consideration for geo or ticket restriction may be negotiated)
• Supply DCP to PTFF through CineSend upload for in person screenings.
• Supply MP4 to PTFF through Eventive upload for virtual screening.
• Non-English films must be subtitled.
• Closed Captioning is highly encouraged!
• Any film invited must communicate theatrical or streaming release deals in consideration. Failure to do so may result in the film being pulled from the lineup.

Submission Rules:
• Submissions are accepted ONLY through FilmFreeway.
• Multiple submissions must be provided as individual submissions.
• 'Works in progress' will NOT be considered.
• Submission fees are not refundable.
• All submissions must be received by the final deadline - April 19, 2024.

By submitting a film to PTFF, you agree that you have secured all necessary rights for both picture and sound, and that the exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights including but not limited to music, images, and content. You further grant PTFF the right to use clips and trailers provided from the film at the Festival or online for promotional, archival, and other non-commercial uses.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • What a fantastic festival! I’ve screened films across the country, including at several of the majors. I would consider PTFF to be 2 very important things. 1 - a filmmaker focused festival. Great educational and networking opportunities. And they really take care of you once youre there. The staff is AMAZING. 2 - it has great audiences. I’ve found that some of the smaller markets have the best audiences, and we were not disappointed at PTFF. One of our screenings was sold out, and the other was very well attended, despite being early morning. Also, Port Townsend is a stunning town with a lot of history. I would highly recommend submitting and I hope to be back soon!

    December 2023
  • Vivian Kerr

    I had an incredible experience at the Port Townsend Film Festival! The audiences were so engaged. They screened our film TWICE in beautiful historic venues, and the town really shows up to support the festival. It's run beautifully by Christy and Danielle. If you're luck enough to get in, GO!

    November 2023
  • Maggie Contreras

    This is one of the best festival experiences you will have. The hospitality is generous, the staff is wonderful, the programing is smart and well curated, the venues are technically sound and the audiences show up. It's also one of the most beautiful places in the USA. It's worth the extra travel to get there.

    November 2023
  • Bryan Tucker

    PTFF was an amazing festival! PT is a charming little town on the water, which make it a fun destination place. The festival layout was walk-able and there was always something going on. I saw great films there and the PTFF staff were all so friendly and accommodating!

    November 2023
  • Chris Capel

    We had the honor of screening our short film “Fishers of Men” at the 2023 fest and won Best Narrative Short as well. I wish we could have attended but have heard nothing but great things about the festival. Communication was excellent all the way through. Will definitely submit future work and highly recommend this festival!

    October 2023