Have you ever been in the upper floors of the Hastings Building in downtown Port Townsend? Two weeks ago, I got the chance when I visited the set of Glampire. Read on to hear more about what I saw, along with other news of the week:

     🎬 Glampire’s Port Townsend shoot a success
     🐥 Last call for early bird discount!
     📣 Seeking past PTFF memories and photos
     🏠 Be a host for a filmmaker or guest
     🎥 FREE outdoor summer movie series at Fort Worden

Pictured: Director of Glampire, Amy Hesketh; Photo by Keith Hitchcock

GLAMPIRE SHOOT A SUCCESS

The shoot for PTFF’s 2024 Short Screenplay winner Glampire happened two weeks ago. The set was on the upper floors of the Hastings Building in downtown Port Townsend. It was a thrill to see a professional-level production happening in this iconic building, which felt every bit its own character in the story of this project.

Left: Cast & Crew of Glampire — Right: Steve Johnson, special effects artist; Photos by Keith Hitchcock

Behind the scenes was another character, special effects artist, Steve Johnson, who has film credits you have likely heard of – lots of them: An American Werewolf in London, Ghostbusters, Big Trouble in Little China, The Abyss, and The Shining, just to name a few. Steve was part of a sizable cast and crew, which worked long hours over three days and left me thinking “this is legit.”

I’m excited and inspired. Excited: to see the finished product’s debut – at the 2024 Film Festival (Sept 19-22). And inspired: for what feels like a new era of filmmaking on the Olympic Peninsula.

Photo by Richard Lee

LAST CALL FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
(ENDS JULY 31)

Don’t Miss Out! Secure your spot at PTFF 2024 with our exclusive Early Bird pricing through July 31. Enjoy a 15% discount for only 6 more days! Whether you're eyeing the comprehensive Festival Pass, the flexible 6-Pass and 3-Pass options, or the Virtual Pass, you can save significantly.

Our “Extra-early Bird” discounted passes sold out in June, so don’t miss the boat on this one.

Beyond the savings, early pass holders gain a strategic advantage: advance ticket reservation. Festival Pass holders can start reserving their must-see films as early as August 29. Purchase passes here: https://ptfilm.org.

Photo by Deja View Photography

SHARE YOUR PTFF STORY & PHOTO!

One of the ways we celebrate our 25th Anniversary Festival in 2024 is by looking back. During the Festival in September, we will post as many stories and photos as possible on our “Festival Flashback” wall, located in the Festival Lounge, located at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street.

Do you have something to share? Great!

Click on the button below to upload your photo or tell us your story via our dedicated form.

Do you have a physical photo? Please send or deliver it to the PTFF Office:
211 Taylor Street, Suite 401A, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Photo by Leeann Cline

BE A HOST FOR A FILMMAKER OR GUEST

One of my favorite parts of the Film Festival is connecting with visiting filmmakers and other special guests. Here’s your chance to help welcome these visitors to Port Townsend (and receive multiple benefits!)

We expect to welcome a record number of film guests this year and can really use your help if you have accommodations to spare.

Hosts receive complimentary all-access Festival Passes in exchange for hosting ($580 value).
Priority is given to accommodations within Port Townsend city limits and closest to our downtown venues.
Preference is given to cottage, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and separate entry apartment over a spare bedroom in a home.

Most filmmakers begin arriving Thursday, Sept 19 and depart Monday, Sept 23. If your accommodations are available for all or part of these Festival dates, please save them in your calendar and provide your important details in this Form. If you have neighbors that would be interested in hosting, feel free to let them know about this opportunity. Thank you!

ANNOUNCING 2024 FREE BACKYARD MOVIES
AT THE FORT

Last year, we launched what will likely become a Jefferson County tradition. Gather your picnic blanket and your lounge chairs and head out to Fort Worden State Park for Backyard Movies in August.

Celebrating our beautiful parklands and in partnership with Fort Worden Hospitality and Friends of Fort Worden, PTFF is proud to present these FREE movies under the stars.

This year, we’re celebrating girls! As we incorporate Women & Film into all of our programming, these two films will have you on your feet cheering for the triumph of spirit regardless of your gender.

Saturday, August 10, 8:30pm
Whale Rider
(2002) 101 min
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea’s direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Saturday, August 17, 8:30pm
Akeelah and the Bee
(2006) 112 min

Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl living in South Los Angeles, discovers she has a talent for spelling, which she hopes will take her to the National Spelling Bee. Despite her mother’s objections, Akeelah doesn’t give up on her goal. She finds help in the form of a mysterious teacher, and along with overwhelming support from her community, Akeelah might just have what it takes to make her dream come true.

The 25th Annual Film Festival is less than two months away!
Are you ready? Thanks for tuning in.

Festive regards,

Keith Hitchcock
Marketing & Development Director
Port Townsend Film Festival

211 Taylor Street, Suite 401A

Port Townsend, WA 98368