We created the PLIFF as a venue for filmmakers who are motivated to experiment with moving images out of a spirit of curiosity and play: Deep Sea divers rising from the waves with strange new gems and glittering creatures, illuminated by the screen for a precious few minutes.

Our mission is to bring your work to audiences hungry for such delights and to connect you with other cinema artists.

The PLIFF is held at two venues:

ART HOUSE, Eugene Oregon's iconic 2-screen art house cinema in the chapel hall of a converted Spanish Mission-style church.

AND

CINEMA 21, Portland Oregon: Over its 90-plus year history, Cinema 21 has become a hub for the city's film culture and one of Portland's most revered cinemas. The theater has premiered many important art films, including Slackers, Drugstore Cowboy, Pan's Labyrinth, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, There Will Be Blood, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wild, Moonlight, Won't You Be My Neighbor? and many other highly-acclaimed feature and documentary films.

We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.
All films will be considered regardless of when they were made. Films do not have a shelf life.

SUBMIT TO THE PLIFF

Awards & Prizes

We have chosen only a fraction of the over 140 films received from 28 different countries to be part of the festival. It is our contention that there is no "Best of" with regards to the films we are screening.

The fact that each film has been chosen from the myriad of other films that have been submitted, is testament to it's strength and each film is equally deserving of honor.

Each participant will be awarded an official selection certificate.

Rules & Terms


All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles (if in a different language).
Films must not exceed 20 mins
Entry Fees will not be refunded once a film as been submitted.
Films may not be withdrawn after submitting.
IF YOUR FILM IS SELECTED FOR SCREENING

Exhibition copies must use a frame rate of 23.98 or 24 fps, and may be submitted in one of the following formats:

2K or 4K DCP
This is the preferred format, and will play back in the highest quality.
Please note when exporting/copying/sending your DCP that the folder and all files within it must not be renamed or moved into sub-directories— no changes can be made after exporting the DCP— even minor spelling corrections to filenames can make the DCP unplayable.

DELIVERY OPTIONS:

via DropBox, WeTransfer, FileMail, etc.: share with edward@broadwaymetro.com

via GoogleDrive: share with broadwaymetrocinema@gmail.com

via post: Broadway Metro
Attn. Edward Schiessl
888 Willamette St
Eugene, OR 97401 USA
(please include a return shipping address)

You hereby grant the Poetic Lens Short Film Festival all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the above-referenced film at the 2024 festival if the film is selected. The PLIFF is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival. You represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. You further represent that you are authorized to submit the above-referenced film. Additionally, you indemnify the Festival from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fees arising out of or in connection with third parties in regard to the screening of the film mentioned above.

ENTERING A FILM IN THIS FESTIVAL IMPLIES THE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE REGULATIONS.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angel Escorcia-Nunez

    I never could have imagined I would be making films when I was younger. Having immigrant parents, my family and I lived in constant fear and worry of the future. I thought it'd be best to keep my head down & stay quiet. Now I understand that our voices, our stories, and our representation matters. I submitted my film last minute and I did not expect much. I ended up winning an award and I am extremely grateful for the support. The Poetic Lens International Film Festival helped me affirm the power of storytelling and has inspired me to keep sharing my films. Thank you for all the support!

    January 2024
    Helpful
  • Joseph Anderson

    The Poetic Film Festival was an excellent opportunity for aspiring film makers to share their short films amongst fellow like-minded creatives. The Art House Theater was an ideal venue, still keeping its independent charm under it's new name. Craig Mahaffy, the festival organizer, was very communicative leading up to and throughout the event. Being able to share our work within this diverse artist community was a great benefit to us and I highly recommend this festival.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Corran Gourlay

    I was unable to attend the festival as I was international entry but I can only praise the communication and passion of the organisers of this event - I believe in the vision and potential of surrealism, and this is a wonderful breeding ground for that.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Fritz Kohle

    This festival is needed because its vision will become increasingly relevant as the world transitions into a new paradigm. I was honoured to have my short film screen at the event and do not hesitate to recommend the festival to filmmakers who aspire to explore new ways of filmmaking. I thank the organisers of the festival for their kindness, and wish them the best of luck with future events.

    October 2023
    Helpful