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.
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 special guests in attendance. Filmmaker highlights include: 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 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
SPECIAL INVITATION - Calling Women Filmmakers!
PTFF specifically invites women filmmakers to submit their films. The 2024 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.
NEW FILM CATEGORY - Island & Peninsula-Produced Short Film, AKA LOCAL Short
PTFF encourages short film submissions from San Juan Islands/Olympic Peninsula-based filmmakers. While PTFF presents films from around the globe, we also have the goal of supporting local filmmakers. PTFF will feature the chosen films in our festival program and other marketing materials. Please click on LOCAL Short Film on the right drop down menu for more guidelines and info.
OUR FIRST EVER SCREENPLAY COMPETITION -
PTFF Island & Peninsula Short Screenplay Competition details are at: https://filmfreeway.com/PortTownsendFilmFestivalScreenplayCompetition
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
