PTFF ALUMNI FILMMAKERS

Photo by Elizabeth Becker

After PTFF accepts and screens a film at our Festival, the filmmaker becomes a part of our family and gains membership in the PTFF Alumni network.

PTFF Alumni benefits include:

  • Waived submission fees for future festivals

  • Eligibility for the PTFF Filmmaking Residency

  • Access to the Producers Circle (and the chance for film funding)

  • Eligibility to lead a PTFF Film Forum workshop

More info on each of these programs below.

Above: Award-winning filmmakers Doug Blush and Lisa Klein, 2022 PTFF Filmmakers in Residence. Photo by Deja View Photography

Filmmakers in Residence

Port Townsend Film Festival works to build not only an invigorating annual festival, where filmmakers, producers, and audiences connect, but also a year-round community where filmmakers thrive and grow.

The FIlmmaker in Residence Program provides a travel stipend to assist in reaching Port Townsend, a stunning location, cozy accommodations, a variety of food and dining options (with some free meal vouchers), and a variety of transportation options to help you explore the Olympic Peninsula.

Available for up to four weeks in May, the residency is designed to provide space to make progress on your current or future projects. PTFF asks the filmmakers to make at least one public presentation during their stay. 

Photo by Viola Ware

Forum Presentation

(2024 Proposals deadline: May 15)

Be part of our September Festival with your Forum presentation!

PTFF’s September Festival has, for 25 years, presented the best of indie films, celebrated both emerging and iconic filmmakers, and thrown some of the most outrageous parties of the film festival circuit. Now, we’re building out our education, networking, and filmmaker development initiatives. One of the primary steps we’ve taken is to create a Forum track alongside the Film track of the Festival. 

Forums are two-hour seminars for the developing filmmaker and the general public presenters by our alumni filmmakers and special guests. We’re looking for you to share what you’ve learned on your filmmaking journey and have an opportunity to meet the newest filmmakers joining the PTFF Alumni Filmmaker Network. 

In 2024, Forum presenters will receive a $450 teaching stipend, housing at the Festival, and the highest level pass good for entry into all the offerings of the Festival. 

We’re looking for Forum proposals that will excite our attendees, create dynamic experiences, and advance your own learning through teaching. 

How to submit a Forum Presentation Proposal: 

  • Send to Executive Director, Danielle McClelland, danielle@ptfilm.org 

  • Tell us what year/film you’ve presented at PTFF or Women & Film

    • Please include a log line, brief description, and trailer link or tell us where to get it

    • (We’re fleshing out our database of the nearly 2,000 films we’ve presented!) 

  • 1-2 page description and outline of a two-hour seminar that includes time for active engagement and participation from the attendees

    • Examples of previous Forums

      • History of Queer Cinema

      • Directing for Film

      • Documentary Film Lab (2 part seminar)

      • Music Supervision - How to get the best music for your film

      • From concept to screen - How I made my first feature film

  • Include a bio, resume, link to an up-to-date IMDB listing, or some such “about me and my work”

Producers Circle Pitch Event

(2024 Proposals deadline: May 15)

Get awarded funding for your next film project!

In our 25 years,  PTFF has nurtured many strong connections between passionate film patrons and filmmakers who bring their films to the Festival.

We’ve now formalized a structure that makes it easy for any of our alumni filmmakers to connect with potential funders and for our local donors to grow and develop in their understanding and ability to serve as financial contributors to films they love.

To join the Producers Circle, PTFF patrons make a substantial five-year commitment to supporting the Festival as a whole so that we can continue the screening fees, travel support, housing, feeding, and partying of filmmakers every year.

They then take the next step by reviewing proposals from alumni filmmakers for support of their next projects. If a Producers Circle member chooses to support a project, PTFF will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the contribution.

Over the last three years, PTFF Producers Circle members have given $180,000 to three different alumni filmmaker features, ranging from a narrative comedy, a heart-wrenching drama, and a wide-ranging environmental documentary. 

To further advance these special relationships, PTFF is now adding a pitch event, opening up submissions to all of our alumni, and expanding the possibilities for Producers Circle members. 

  • Alumni may submit proposals for support of their project at any stage - from concept to post-production to marketing. Our Producers’ capacities currently range between $10,000 and $100,000.

  • A small group of proposals will be selected to attend the Festival (travel and housing provided) and make their pitch to the Producers Circle in person.

  • If a Producer Circle member chooses to support a project, Individual meetings between Producers and filmmakers will be set throughout the weekend and PTFF will assist in creating a support agreement. 

To submit a Pitch Event Proposal:

  • Send to Executive Director, Danielle McClelland, danielle@ptfilm.org 

  • Tell us what year/film you’ve presented at PTFF or Women & Film

    • Please include a log line, brief description, and trailer link or tell us where to get it

    • (We’re fleshing out our database of the nearly 2,000 films we’ve presented!) 

  • Include a bio, resume, link to an up-to-date IMDB listing or some such “about me and my work”

  • A pitch deck (no more than 15 slides)

  • A one-page treatment

  • A one-page budget for how your support request will be spent