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Portland Film Festivals
Check out our guide to the city's top cinematic events.
Portland hosts more than 20 film festivals every year. Here’s an overview of some of the city’s top cinematic events.
Know Before You Go
To slow the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, effective Aug. 27, a statewide mask mandate is in place. Oregonians and visitors ages 5 and up are required to wear face coverings in all public indoor settings, as well as crowded outdoor public spaces where physical distancing is not possible, regardless of vaccination status. This rule does not apply to individuals actively eating or drinking.
Additionally, some event organizers and venues may require proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test, for admission. Other events may be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Reel Music Film Festival
(January)
Reel Music Film Festival, the Northwest Film Center’s celebration of music on film, treats music lovers to some of music’s most intriguing artists (both celebrated and little known) offering a filmic take on sounds, roots and personalities from bossa nova to indie rock. Live music is scattered throughout Reel Music Festival at various venues.
Portland International Film Festival (PIFF)
(February)
Founded in 1977, the Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) now draws an audience of more than 35,000 attendees, making it the biggest film event in Oregon. More than 100 films — including features and international shorts — premiere each year at the largest festival presented by the Northwest Film Center.
Filmed by Bike
(May)
In a city that loves bicycling almost as much as it loves movies, it’s only natural that there’s a festival celebrating both. Filmed by Bike is a two-day festival at the Hollywood Theatre screening bike-themed independent short movies from around the world. In all, about 30 films, all under eight minutes in length, celebrate bike culture.
QDoc: Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival
(May)
QDoc is the first festival of its kind in the United States, and only the second in the world devoted exclusively to documentaries with queer content. QDoc aims to engage with the core issues of queer identity in politics, history, culture, family, aging and coming out issues, queer diversity, gender identity and sexuality. Films screen at the Hollywood Theatre.
Top Down: Rooftop Cinema
(July-August)
Every summer, the Northwest Film Center presents Top Down: Rooftop Cinema, a series of outdoor screenings on the panoramic rooftop of a Portland State University (PSU) parking garage. More than just movies, these parties in the sky feature live music, tasty food and drink and spectacular city views. Featured films include cult classics and lesser-known B movies—perfect light summer fare.
Flicks on the Bricks
(July-August)
Gather up the family and head to Pioneer Courthouse Square for free movies and popcorn under the stars on Portland’s “largest outdoor screen.” Flicks on the Bricks are held every year on five consecutive Friday nights, mid-July-mid-August.
Portland Women’s Film Festival (POWfest)
(September)
The Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival focuses on the art and cinematic contribution of women filmmakers from around the world. Spanning four days, the roster of events comprises an exhibition of films made by women, moderated filmmaker panels and filmmaker workshops.
Portland Queer Film Festival
(September)
The Portland Queer Film Festival annually showcases features, documentary and short films from all over the world that are made by, about or of interest to the lesbian, gay, bi and trans community. Films are screened at Cinema 21 in Northwest Portland.
Portland Film Festival
(October–November)
The Portland Film Festival brings a broad diversity of independent voices together on one stage. In 2021, the festival will screen over 150 films from around the world virtually, along with offering limited screening pods for in-person viewing.
Feminist Fests
Portland Queer Film Festival
Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.
POW Film Fest
Every March, POW Film Fest returns to showcase films by female and non-binary directors from the Portland area, inviting attendees to experience cinema crafted by seasoned and up-and-coming filmmakers alike.
Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival
Portland's Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival, returning Sept. 16–Oct. 3, 2021, unites visual artists, musicians and performers from around the world every year.
Upcoming Movie Events
It's a Wonderful Life
Feature film with Oregon Symphony Celebrate the season as Jimmy Stewart’s encounter with a guardian angel brings hope and redemption just in time for Christmas, in Frank Capra’s holiday classic for the entire family.
15 Years of Laika
Experience the stop-motion fantasia of LAIKA Studios as it celebrates its 15th anniversary with screenings of all five of its Oscar-nominated films, from Coraline to Missing Link. Walk through displays of puppets and sets from each film and explore the meticulous craftsmanship of LAIKA’s creative process. Key filmmakers will be on hand for Q&As that…
Foul Play Nordic Style: Scandinavian Crime Fiction
Join us for an eight-week workshop focusing on Nordic crime films and novels. Tom Birnie, instructor in Scandinavian Studies at Portland State University, is back to lead this one-of-a-kind course, in which we will learn about, discuss and savor several films and books from the northernmost reaches of Europe. Nordic crime novels and films have…
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Live Time Bubble Tour THE SHOW Following the wildly successful “Watch Out for Snakes! Tour” in 2017, the “30th Anniversary Tour” in 2018, and “The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour” in 2019, Mystery Science Theater 3000 LIVE is launching the next all-new production to hit the road. Join host Emily Connor (Emily Marsh) and the…
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