PORT ORCHARD — The third iteration of the Port Orchard Film Festival opens its doors Friday night to film fanatics from Kitsap County and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The three-day film fest also is expecting visitors — many of them filmmakers whose cinematic productions are on the viewing list — from places as varied as Alabama, Oregon, Southern California and Italy.
And those visitors to the Dragonfly Cinema in Port Orchard, which will host the festival, is a positive sign for organizers.
“The filmmakers I appreciated last year were the ones who went to everyone’s showings or as many showings as possible,” said film festival director Amy Camp. “And we’re seeing a lot of them returning.”
Out of the 71 films selected to be shown this weekend, Camp said she expects about half of the filmmakers involved in those productions to attend at least a portion of the event.
“We have somebody coming from Italy, someone from Alabama and lots of established locals who will be here,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to start the film festival — to encourage local filmmakers.”
This year, the festival has scheduled an appearance of special guests “Turn That Off,” comprising Shea, Scott, Caleb and Kasey, who host a podcast about popular media. The group will have their first live show at the festival at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Their “Turn That Off!” podcast explores “the spectacle of popular culture, covering everything from the media, brands and people who drive our culture to the (sometimes regrettably) passionate fans who love them,” according to the festival’s website.
An Opening Night Party will take place at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Nauti Mermaid on Bay Street. The event will feature live music by East Blue and Higher Soul.
The “Keeping It Independent Filmmakers Panel” has been set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Slaughter County Brewing with special guests D.L. Gardner, Ian Hubert and Mike Chilson. Then at 8:30 p.m., Brick House 714 on Bay Street will host a Saturday After Party with live music by Asterhouse and Cityscapes.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.portorchardfilmfest.com or at the Dragonfly Cinema’s ticket office, 822 Bay St. Three-day passes are priced at $50, with a Friday pass selling for $10. A Saturday pass is priced at $30, a Sunday pass is $15. Tickets for individual film blocks and feature-length movies can be purchased for $8 each.
PORT ORCHARD FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, May 3:
Screen 1:
Feature: AFK (Away From Keyboard), 6:30 p.m.
Shorts Block: Experimental, 7:20 p.m.
Screen 2:
Feature: Space Needle Looking Upwards, 6 p.m.
Feature: Black Pool, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 4:
Screen 1:
Feature: A Soldier’s Dream, 11 a.m.
Feature: Witch Hunt, 12:15 p.m.
Shorts Block: Sci-Fi, 1:25 p.m.
Shorts Block: Comedy, 2:30 p.m.
Feature: Skim It, 3:40 p.m.
Feature: Donovan Reid, 5:30 p.m.
“Turn That Off” live podcast, 7:30 p.m.
Screen 2:
Feature: Aberdeen, 11:30 a.m.
Shorts Block: Fantasy, 1:20 p.m.
Feature: Eagle Feather, 2:45 p.m.
Feature: Wind and Water Balloons, 4:10 p.m.
Shorts Block: Music Videos, 6:05 p.m.
Shorts Block: Horror, 7 p.m.
Feature: The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan, 8:25 p.m.
Sunday, May 5:
Screen 1:
Feature: Who’s Romeo, 11 a.m.
Shorts Block: Documentary, 12:45 p.m.
Shorts Block: Life After Death, 2 p.m.
Awards Presentation: 3 p.m.
Screen 2:
Shorts Block: Self Discovery, 11:30 a.m.
Shorts Block: Thought Provoking, 1 p.m.
Filmmaker Eric Monteiro’s production “Fish Hook” will be screened in the “Fantasy” shorts block on Saturday, May 4, at the Port Orchard Film Festival. (Eric Monteiro image)
