PORT TOWNSEND — Terry Tennesen is quick to admit that everything around him still belongs to Peter Simpson.
Tennesen, director for the Port Townsend Film Festival, sits in his office on the third floor of the Baker Building and says, without batting an eye, the office still is everything Simpson.
The desk Simpson peaked out from as people entered the room has been moved so as not to add to the effect.
The large wire-frame rack of movies that Simpson pawed through on a daily basis has been shuffled against another wall.
“That bookshelf needs to be moved next,” Tennesen said.
“You want to leave it somewhat the same, but still have it be different so as not to offend.
“The truth is that this office is still very much Peter.”
Simpson died of cardiac arrest at his Port Townsend home April 16. He was 74.
The gap he left at the festival is evident, but in a way that is more emotional than functional.
Tennesen points out that the movie lineup is complete and the guests are being scheduled for the festival, which runs Sept. 24-27.
But little things will never return.
The titles Simpson carried with the festival, both executive and artistic director, are retired.
Tennesen has much the same role of making sure the show goes on, but under the title of festival director.
“It’s just easier that way,” he said.
And the festival itself, well, it goes without saying really, but the festival still gushes Peter Simpson.
A giant photo of Simpson has been mounted next to the office’s front door.
Two of Simpson’s trademark Hawaiian shirts hang on the back wall of his old office.
And on Thursday, at the festival’s first gala event, a memorial will pay tribute to him.
“Peter was the festival,” Tennesen said.
“And he wanted this one to be a party.
“We’re trying hard to do justice to that.”
This year’s special guest will be Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman, and one of her films, “The Last Picture Show” will play as part of the Very Special Evening event.
Many directors will be in attendance to answer questions about their films. Paul Watson, one of the founding members of Greenpeace and topic of the documentary “Pirate For the Sea,” will be on hand for a question-and-answer session.
J.J. Kelly and Josh Thomas, the subjects of the documentary “Paddle to Seattle” will be there for their film and put on a special event near the waterfront with Pygmy Kayaks.
Also, the community movies will play on the big screen on Taylor Street on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
“We still plan to put on a big show,” Tennesen said.
“A lot is still the same.
“It’s just that putting this one on, you have a great appreciation for how organized Peter was.”
Simpson worked at the festival for eight years.
Unbeknownst to most, the 10th anniversary of the festival was intended to be his final act.
Tennesen was supposed to take over next year, in 2010, and have Simpson around to help him through the transition.
But there is usually a twist.
“I keep running into him here,” Tennesen said of e-mails, filing systems and notes that remind him of Simpson.
“And when I do I talk to him, I ask him why he did something this way or that. After all, he didn’t leave a playbook here.
“I have this great appreciation for him that he was able to do all of this and do most of it from memory.
“You can’t replace that.”
But the next best thing has arrived — in an overflow of volunteers.
Tennesen said the community has gathered to help make this event happen, and he is excited about the 10th anniversary of what was once a little festival.
“They are doing it first of all for Peter,” he said.
“But also because this is a great event, a great festival, and we all want to see it be a really great festival.”
This year, the festival starts a day early, with a 6 p.m. gala at the soon-to-be-open Northwest Maritime Center — an event Simpson was crossing his fingers would take place.
“Every ticket holder is invited to that,” Tennesen said.
“And afterward, at the gala, yes we will have some sort of a memorial prepared for Peter.
“For so many people, this festival is, and always will be, Peter.”
Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Simpson lived in Port Townsend for 40 years, first moving to the city in 1959 with his wife, Pat, whom he met at the University of Washington in 1952.
In 1968, the two moved to Reston, Va., but returned to Port Townsend a decade later, in 1978.
At the 2008 festival, after learning of the death of actor Paul Newman, Simpson became briefly emotional on a bench outside the Rose Theatre.
“The great thing about him, about Paul,” Simpson said while choking back tears, “the great thing about film, is that he will be around. Forever.”
Tennesen is quit to admit that the continuation of the festival means the same thing for Simpson.
“Although he’d hate that we were doing this,” Tennesen said, “he deserves it.”
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
