Filmmaker in Residence
2026

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.

In late May and early June 2026, we are proud to host H. Nelson Tracey (IMDb)

H. Nelson Tracey is a writer, director, and producer whose debut feature film Breakup Season played to two sold-out screenings at the 2024 Port Townsend Film Festival, and won both the Audience Award and a Jury Commendation for Screenwriting at that year’s festival. The holiday-themed romantic dramedy was released in theaters and on digital after an extensive festival run, screening at 39 film festivals and winning 34 awards. Breakup Season is now available to stream on Amazon and Tubi. More info

In May 2021, Nelson was a Filmmaker in Residence at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival in La Grande, Oregon. It was here he initially developed Breakup Season, which would go on to be filmed in the same community 2 years later. Now, as the PTFF Filmmaker in Residence, he plans to continue that tradition of location-driven storytelling, using the residency to explore a new feature set in the Pacific Northwest. 

“My debut feature was born from a filmmaker residency, so I’m acutely aware of the impact designated creative time away from home can have on my process. I am over the moon to be returning to Port Townsend, a community that euphorically embraces indie film. Focused creative time is sacred, and I will treat it as such. This is the official launch of my sophomore feature. Folks, let’s make a movie!”

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Nelson graduated with a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University. He lives in Los Angeles, where he works in various capacities in film alongside his directing career.