The Poulsbo Film Festival is now entering our 5th year! Huzzah! Filmmakers can submit their films between January 1 - June 8th, 2026.

The mission of the Poulsbo Film Festival is to bring independent film and filmmakers to the city of Poulsbo, Washington for a weekend of celebrating diverse stories produced from all across the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world!

This three day festival will include parties, filmmaker panels, networking, awards, small town vibes, and beautiful scenery. We are excited to have you submit your film!

Submissions will be judged by local filmmakers, artists, organizers, and community members. You can learn more about them on our website!

This festival is brought to you by the Poulsbo Film Festival Foundation, a 501c3 arts nonprofit located in Poulsbo, Washington.

This program is also brought to you by endless help from local businesses, community members, volunteers, sponsors, friends, family, and film lovers.

Thank you for considering the 5th Annual Poulsbo Film Festival!

Awards & Prizes

Awards and prizes will distributed to the best short film in each category. Feature films will have one overall winner. There will also be a People's Choice Award presented to the top voted PFF film.

Physical awards will be presented to all winners. There will be a $500 cash award to the Best Student Film. Other cash awards are TDB.

Short Films (2 - 35 minutes in length, if your film runs long or short, please email us and we can chat):

- Best Drama Short
- Best Comedy Short
- Best Horror/Thriller Short
- Best Student Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Animated Short
- Best Experimental Short
- Best Music Video
- Audience Award

Feature Films (50 - 110 minutes in length, all genres):

- Best Feature Film

Some of these may be subject to change depending on amount and variety of film submissions. Thank you!

Rules & Terms

• FILMS ARE NOW ALLOWED FROM MULTIPLE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
• Filmmakers may only submit one film
• Short Films should be 2-37 minutes in length, including credits (if your film runs long or short please email us and we can have a chat)
• Feature Films should be 50-110 minutes in length including credits
• Filmmakers must have proper license to all copyrighted music, video, and images included in the duration of their submission
• Films must be completed after January 1, 2025
• All non-English films must have English subtitles
• Submissions must be made online. DVDs and Blu-Rays will not be accepted

Submission & Acceptance:
• There is a $10 entry fee for students
• There is a $15 entry fee for all other short films
• There is a $20 entry fee for all feature length films
• Filmmakers may submit only one film
• Please submit to one category
• Notification of acceptance will be sent via email by August 1st, 2026 (subject to change)
• Still shots and/or excerpts from selected films may be used by the Poulsbo Film Festival for publicity purposes
• All entries are final and may not be withdrawn from the festival once submitted (please email if you have questions)

By submitting an entry to the Poulsbo Film Festival, you attest that all information provided is accurate and complete, that you have the authority to submit said entry for consideration, and that you have read, understand, and agree to all terms of entry.
37 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Jeff Hoyle

    The PFF has been awesome every year and it keeps getting better.... which is saying a lot!

    November 2025
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  • Melle Windig

    Thank you Poulsbo Film Festival for providing us the opportunity to share our short stop motion animation film Cell Buddies with your audience.

    October 2025
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  • Angela DiMarco & David S. Hogan

    LOVED this festival so much! Poulsbo is such a lovely town, full of "mom and pops" stores, delicious foods and a community full of folks who support the Arts! Bittina and Kevin have created something extra special in Poulsbo. As a filmmaker, I felt our film was handled with such care and consideration. Films get to screen TWICE, once in their intimate venue and also in their large (and super cool) brewing venue. Projection and sound was great and the audiences were wonderful. I feel festival goer turnout will only continue to grow and I cannot wait to screen here again. We are so very honored to have received the Audience Favorite Film award. Over 200 people voted and I always love when the audience get to be part of the celebration! Thank you to the entire PFF team! SUBMIT TO THIS FESTIVAL!

    October 2025
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  • Simeon Gregory

    A great festival for filmmakers and film fans alike. Kevin & Bittina make you feel at home in the small town of Poulsbo, known as Little Norway.

    October 2025
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  • Michael Kenji Mathews

    A cozy, community driven festival in a beautiful little town. My film screened at a local brewery, which gave it a really relaxed and friendly vibe. I really enjoyed the films in the blocks I attended. The organizers clearly care about both the filmmakers and the community. The festival feels personal, well run, and thoughtfully put together.

    October 2025
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