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

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 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
  • I would say by the heart, PTFF is my favourite festival, due to the people involved in. Also because I had the chance that both of my feature films to be premiered in PTFF. This is a festival with a highclass aura made by passionate people. The experience as a filmmaker in the festival is outstanding - from the Old Cars gala to the end. I hope to be back soon!

    March 2024
  • bettina dalton

    Had no idea where I was going when I travelled from Sydney to Port Townsend , but I was in a fabulous experience, the hosts , the fellow film makers , the warmth of the town , and Oh the setting. Very well organised and professional. On my must return list.

    December 2023
  • Alixzandra Rothschild

    We had the most fabulous time at port Townsend film festival. They treated us like royalty. We had packed theatres with enthusiastic audiences and great q&a. The car filmmaker parade was a highlight along with the kind and supportive local community. They truly appreciate indie filmmakers. The town is so beautiful. The programming team truly picks an array of quality films that spur deep and thoughtful conversations. Christy was a gem. Can’t wait to come back with another film.

    December 2023
  • 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