Portland Under the Stars is the city’s newest celebration of cinematic creativity and storytelling, bringing the magic of film to the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Hosted at the historic McMenamins Mission Theater, this festival offers an unforgettable experience where Portland’s artistic spirit meets the glamour of the red carpet.

Picture yourself walking into one of Portland’s most iconic venues, surrounded by its vintage charm and intimate atmosphere. Start the evening with a red carpet welcome, complete with professional photos to capture your moment in the spotlight. Then, immerse yourself in a handpicked selection of films spanning diverse genres—thought-provoking narratives, laugh-out-loud comedies, gripping horrors, inspiring documentaries, and more.

But this is more than just a screening. Engage in live Q&A sessions with attending filmmakers and screenwriters, sharing your creative journey and connecting with an engaged audience. Be part of the action by voting for the Audience Choice Award, where every voice matters.

Wrap up the night with a lively award ceremony, honoring exceptional talent with custom-crafted trophies that celebrate Portland’s innovative and unique character. And for those seeking connections and collaboration, our outdoor networking mixer at Sonder provides the perfect setting to meet fellow filmmakers and creatives.

Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker, an established creator, or simply a lover of great cinema, Portland Under the Stars promises a night filled with inspiration, celebration, and community. This is your opportunity to be part of something new and extraordinary in one of the most creative cities in the world.

🏆 Trophy Awards 🏆
At Portland Under the Stars, we’re thrilled to honor amazing films and screenplays with these exciting trophies:

Superstar Award: Judges' Choice for the best-reviewed film of the festival.
Wonder Woman Award: Recognizing exceptional female filmmakers.
Keep Portland Weird Award: Celebrating films that embody Portland’s unique spirit.
Audience Choice Award: Selected by festival attendees.
Best Short Screenplay: Recognizing exceptional storytelling in short form.
Best Feature Screenplay: Honoring outstanding feature-length screenwriting.

Additional Awards
Best Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Music Video
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Micro-Short
Best Student Short
Most Original Concept
Best Oregon Film
M. Night Shyamalan Award (Best Twist)
Screenplay Awards
Best Overall Screenplay (Short & Feature)
Best Narrative Screenplay (Short & Feature)
Best Comedy Screenplay (Short & Feature)
Best Horror Screenplay (Short & Feature)

Portland Under the Stars is committed to maintaining high ethical and professional standards. Participants must adhere to the following guidelines:
Submission Requirements: Films must be in English or include English subtitles.
Only original works are eligible for submission.
Ethical Conduct: Any unethical behavior, including plagiarism or dishonesty, is strictly prohibited.
Communication: Entrants must maintain open and timely communication with festival organizers. Failure to respond to inquiries or provide required information may result in disqualification.
Legal Indemnity: By submitting, entrants agree to indemnify the festival and its staff from any liability, claims, or damages associated with their submissions.
Disqualification: Failure to meet submission criteria, deadlines, or professional conduct requirements will result in disqualification without a refund.
Your participation contributes to creating a vibrant and respectful festival environment. Join us at Portland Under the Stars, where storytelling and creativity shine brighter than ever!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Martins III

    My deep appreciation to Festival Director Ali Alkhafaji and the entire Portland UTS Film Festival team for their honoring my feature screenplay, "The Fourth Psalm," and, short screenplay, "Northwest 21st." Your communication was outstanding throughout the entire process. Thank you very much to all of you there in RIP City!

    October 2025
    Response from festival:

    John, thank you so much for sharing The Fourth Psalm and Northwest 21st. It was an honor to include your work in our first year. I’m so glad you felt the heart behind this festival. Your stories helped make Portland Under the Stars something truly special.

  • Lyssa Samuel

    Portland Under the Stars is a delightful festival. It was great meeting local talented filmmakers and the day was jam packed with wonderful films. The organization and communication is top notch. One area that this festival really shines is providing ample opportunity for great press (red carpet pictures, and red carpet interviews for instance). I'm truly honored that Rash won the audience choice award!

    September 2025
    Response from festival:

    Lyssa, this means a lot. Rash was a crowd favorite, and seeing it win the Audience Choice Award was an incredible moment. Your energy and kindness carried through the entire night. Thank you for being part of our first-year family.

  • Brady Stanley

    So cool to see my name on the official selections! Thank you so much to everyone who read and enjoyed the work; you are making dreams come true.

    September 2025
    Response from festival:

    Brady, congratulations again on your selection. Your writing stood out from the start, and we were proud to share it with our audience. Thank you for trusting us with your work and helping make our debut season unforgettable.

  • Alexis Roblan

    Wonderful festival -- films were high quality and the vibes were great. Well-organized and fun.

    August 2025
    Response from festival:

    So happy to hear this, Alexis. We wanted the event to feel welcoming and full of creative energy, and knowing that came through means everything. Hope to have you back next year!

  • Elizabeth Taide Vazquez

    I sadly wasn't able to attend in person but the team behind the festival were extremely generous with their time, well-organized, communicative, and professional with their marketing of the festival. I am extremely grateful for the inclusion of my film in their programming and look forward to submitting again!

    August 2025
    Response from festival:

    Elizabeth, thank you for your generous words and for sharing Encuentro Americano with us. It was such a striking, thought-provoking film, and we were honored to feature it in our lineup. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet in person this year, but your presence was absolutely felt through your work. We’re grateful for your professionalism, your vision, and the trust you placed in our team. We’d love to have you with us again next season!