PORT TOWNSEND — The three-day 11th annual Port Townsend Film Festival, which begins today, just keeps getting better, its executive director says.
“It is a new experience every year because all of the films are new,” Janette Force said.
If the films are always different, the festival’s purpose remains consistent.
“With the 94 films we are showing this year, we want to challenge and entertain,” Force said.
“The movies, especially the documentaries, reflect society’s concerns, which is why there are so many environmentally themed films on this year’s program.”
Force said that 877 passes had been sold as of Thursday.
“We are not ticket-based, we are pass-based,” she said.
“You get a pass and line up for a particular movie and get in on a first-come, first-served basis.
9,320 seats
“With 9,320 seats in five venues over a period of three days, there is no way to tell what the public will do.”
Movie venues are the Uptown Theatre, 1120 Lawrence St., which seats 315; the Rose Theatre, which seats 135, and the Rosebud Cinema, which sets 75, both at 235 Taylor St.; the Pope Marine Building, 100 Madison St., which seats 73; and the Peter Simpson Free Cinema at the American Legion Hall at 209 Monroe St., which seats 50.
Plenty of free events are offered at the festival.
The gala opening ceremony begins at 4 p.m. today on Taylor Street, at which time the festival’s special guest celebrity, Dyan Cannon, will make her first public appearance.
Cannon, 73, has worked for nearly 50 years in the entertainment industry. She is an Academy Award nominee and a Golden Globe winner.
Outdoor movies will be shown free. “American Graffiti,” “The Princess Bride” and “Big Night” will be shown outdoors at 7:30 p.m. on Taylor Street across from the Rose Theatre, successively tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
Cannon also will be interviewed publicly at 2 p.m. Saturday, in the same location.
On Taylor Street, there will be a steady series of filmmakers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Those holding the appropriate pass can attend “A Special Evening with Dyan Cannon,” which will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Uptown Theatre.
Cannon will attend a screening of her 1969 film, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” and be interviewed afterward by Robert Horton, a film festival regular, as well as an author and film critic for KUOW in Seattle and the Everett Herald.
Cannon also will participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience.
At many of the screenings, the audience will be able to interact with a director, actor or crew member after the film.
These appearances are scheduled at the last minute, with details available in the festival program or at www.ptfilmfest.com/News/Blog.html.
Filmmakers
Audiences come to the festival in order to meet filmmakers and learn about their process, but Force said that filmmakers also benefit from the interaction.
“There is nothing better than for a filmmaker to watch a screening of one of their films in an audience setting,” she said.
“The opportunity to talk about their film with people is a gift to them.”
One prominent filmmaker attendee is Tom Shadyac, who has directed three Jim Carrey movies and is showcasing his new film, “I Am,” at 6:30 tonight at the Uptown and at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Theatre.
Those wishing to buy passes have several different options.
The $35 One-Up pass provides access to one screening and membership benefits, a one-year package that includes use of the film festival’s film library and other benefits.
The $85 Four-Up pass provides four screenings — which two people can use to see two films — plus membership in the film festival.
The $185 Festival Pass is the most versatile option, providing admission to all film screenings at all venues, as well as to the special evening with Cannon, the opening night dinner on Taylor Street at 4 p.m., a 9:30 p.m. Saturday awards gala and full membership in the film festival — as well as new Port Townsend Film Festival Hat.
The two most expensive options are the $650 Director’s Pass and the $1,250 Mogul Pass.
The Director’s Pass includes check-in by cell phone or in person, access to the theater up to show time and a $450 tax deduction.
Moguls attend a filmmakers’ reception, receive a canvas film festival mailbag and get a $1,000 tax deduction.
Those living dangerously can purchase “rush tickets” for $10. These are sold at each venue from 15 minutes before show time to the time the lights go down.
NPR broadcast
At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Upstage Restaurant and Theatre, 923 Washington St., will host a broadcast of National Public Radio’s “West Coast Live” featuring Cannon and other guests.
The show will be broadcast live across the country.
Tickets are $15. They are available in advance by phoning 415-664-9500. Tickets will be sold at the door if any are available.
The festival’s hospitality center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Sunday at 111 Quincy St. There, participants can pick up and upgrade passes or get on-site information about the festival,
Information kiosks are located at the Haller Fountain on Washington Street downtown and on Polk Street, next to the Uptown Theatre
For more information, phone 360-379-1333 or go to www.ptfilmfest.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
