NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Sept. 19.
PORT TOWNSEND — The 15th annual Port Townsend Film Festival, which begins today, is generating more excitement than in the past because it features an icon among those familiar with independent films, according to the festival’s executive director.
“I never in my wildest dreams imagined that our phone could ring that often,” Janette Force said Thursday.
“We’ve gotten calls from people saying, ‘We’re from Dallas. We used to go to South by Southwest, but it’s gotten too busy, so we went online to look at film festivals, and we chose you.’
“We hear that over and over again, and it’s very exciting,” Force said.
The excitement is over the appearance of director John Sayles and his partner, producer Maggie Renzi, as special guests to the film festival, which will showcase some 80 films at six venues through Sunday, according to Force.
While Sayles, 63, has never had huge commercial success, his movies have resonated with audiences who aren’t necessarily attracted to mainstream fare.
He is the “father of the independent film movement,” according to film festival founder and board member Rocky Friedman, who owns two of the film festival venues: The Rose Theatre and Rosebud Cinema, both at 235 Taylor St.
Sayles has written, directed and edited 18 films, including “Return of the Secaucus 7” (1979), “The Brother from Another Planet,” (1984) “The Secret of Roan Inish” (1994) and “Lone Star” (1996), the latter two of which will be screened during the festival.
Renzi has worked in collaboration with him on all his movies, most recently as producer.
Force expects heavy attendance, perhaps exceeding last year’s 63 percent capacity, for just under 10,000 possible seats.
“We think of this in terms of butts in seats,” she said.
“This year, we will be looking for seats where we can put the butts.”
The seats will be at the Northwest Maritime Center, 140 seats; Peter Simpson Free Cinema at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St., 100 seats; the free Taylor Street Outdoor Cinema, 211 Taylor St., where seats are on hay bales or brought by the attendees; Rose Theatre, 157 seats; Rosebud Cinema, 87 seats; Starlight Room, sponsored by the Silverwater Cafe, 45 seats; and Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington St.
If the festival grows too crowded, “that’s the price of success, that a lot of people come to a particular event, but that’s never happened to me,” Force said.
“We get people who are very passionate about art and culture, and that’s a lovely audience to attract.”
The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. today at the corner of Washington and Taylor streets, where filmmaker guests will emerge from vintage vehicles supplied by the Rakers Car Club.
Since there are about 60 of the guests, “this could take some time,” Force said.
The free event will include performances by Rhythm Planet and the Marilyn Monroes, who will perform a synchronized routine with lawn chairs.
Dinner for festival attendees will follow, served by the Silverwater Cafe on Taylor Street.
Before the official opening, Sayles and Renzi will appear at 1:30 p.m. today at the auditorium at Port Townsend High School, 1500 Van Ness St.
In a change from years past, when special guests spoke to students in the high school library on the festival’s opening day, the talk will be open to the public.
Sayles and Renzi are scheduled to be interviewed on KPTZ-91.9 FM between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. today and will be on hand to introduce tonight’s free movie, “The Secret of Roan Inish,” at 7:30 on the inflatable Taylor Street movie screen.
A Very Special Evening with John Sayles is set at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwest Maritime Center.
He will be interviewed by film critic Robert Horton following the screening of “Lone Star.”
Renzi will be interviewed at 3:30 p.m. Sunday by writer Rebecca Redshaw.
She will talk about “What the Heck Does a Producer Do?” after a screening of “Honeydripper.”
Films fall into four categories: documentary features, documentary shorts, narrative features and narrative shorts.
Earlier special guests at the film festival were Eva Marie Saint, 2001; Patricia Neal and Stewart Stern, 2002; Peter Fonda and Shirley Knight, 2003; Jane Powell and Dickie Moore, 2004; Debra Winger and Arliss Howard, 2005; Malcolm McDowell, 2006; Elliott Gould, 2007; Piper Laurie, 2008; Cloris Leachman, 2009; Dyan Cannon, 2010; Buck Henry, 2011; Bruce Dern, 2012; and Karen Allen, 2013.
The festival provides an opportunity for attendees to acquire keepsakes and souvenirs.
For instance, a commemorative poster by Terry Tennison features Andy Warhol-like images of all special guests and costs $40, with only 20 posters printed.
Also available are packages of coffee from Sunrise Coffee Co. with images of Sayles and Renzi, available for $10 each at the hospitality center in the Cotton Building. 607 Water St.
Festival passes range from $35 for one film and $100 for six to $1,250 for a Mogul Pass, which provides unlimited access to films without standing in line and exclusive party invitations.
For more information, visit www.ptfilmfest.com.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
