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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
As of June 30, 2021, COVID restrictions have been lifted in Portland and the state of Oregon. While events are now allowed, some events may still be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check the event website 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.
Portland Women’s Film Festival (POWfest)
(March)
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.
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 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.
Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival
(November)
The Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival is the Northwest Film Center’s annual showcase of new work by regional media artists, showing feature, short and documentary films made by artists in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Montana and Idaho. As the oldest and largest festival presenting regionally made work, the event offers an up-to-the-minute snapshot of a rich and diverse media arts community drawing increasing international attention.
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. 5–15, 2019, unites visual artists, musicians and performers from around the world every year.
Upcoming Movie Events
Top Down: Rooftop Cinema
The Cinema Unbound Summer Movie Series, running July, August, and September 2021, welcomes guests to safely gather and experience the power that truly radical and entertaining cinematic storytelling can bring. Unbound from the traditional movie theater setting, Cinema Unbound is creating new venues throughout the city starting with the Open-Air Rooftop Cinema at the Lloyd…
Portland Queer Film Festival
Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.
Portland Film Festival
Portland Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences, and to celebrating the power of a good story. The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides both entertaining and educational opportunities to the public. The festival is anchored with outdoor screenings, offering its filmmakers…
The Lot with Hollywood Theatre: WALL-E
The Lot with Hollywood Theatre presents a series of films and music. Join us on Tuesday, August 3 for the 2008 heartfelt adventure, WALL-E, and a special performance by Night Heron, presented by Portland EcoFilm Festival and Crag Law Center. Doors | 7:00 PM Music | 7:45PM Movie to follow “In the distant future, a…
Annual PDX Drive-in Movie Spectacular!
Welcome to the 7th Annual PDX Drive-in Movie Spectacular! Presented by the Hollywood Theatre and Xfinity at the Portland Expo Center. Carload Tickets are good for up to 5 people per vehicle. There will be food & beverage available for purchase. Please note that no outside food & beverage is allowed. All Attendees Must Arrive…
The Lot with Hollywood Theatre: Stand By Me
The Lot with Hollywood Theatre presents a series of films and music. Join us on Monday, August 9th for the 1986 classic Stand By Me and a special performance by The Shivas, presented by Oregon Film. Rated R, 1h 29m. “After the death of one of his friends, a writer recounts a childhood journey with…
The Lot with PDX Kids Film Festival presents the Best of the Festivals Short Films
The Lot with PDX Kids Film Festival presents a series of shorts – The Best of the Festivals Short Films. Join in on Tuesday, August 10 for nine amazing short films for kids, curated by the team at PDX Kids Film Festival. Gather the kids for an afternoon of fun, inspiring and clever short films…
The Lot with PDX Kids Film Festival presents The NeverEnding Story
The Lot with PDX Kids Film Festival presents; The Neverending Story Directed by Wolfgang Petersen PG | 1h 42min | Adventure, Drama, Family | USA | 1984 Doors | 6:30 PM Movie | 7:30 PM A lonely young boy with a love of books becomes drawn into a timeless world of fabulous creatures–a world that…
Outdoor Film Screening: The Apple War
No summer is complete without an outdoor movie. Join the Nordia House for an outdoor film screening of The Apple War (1971). Bring a blanket and enjoy this great Swedish film. Enjoy an introduction from Tom Birnie and a Q & A after the film, professor of Scandinavian literature and film at PSU. Doors open…
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