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Courtney Tait

Courtney Tait

Courtney Tait is a writer from Victoria, B.C. who lives in Portland. Read More

POW Film Fest features women-led films, workshops and moderated panels.
i
POW Film Fest features women-led films, workshops and moderated panels.
Credit: Courtesy Pow Film Fest
Portland Events / Spring in Portland

POW Film Fest

Enjoy films by women and non-binary directors from around the Portland area.

Updated Apr. 30, 2020 2 min read
Courtney Tait

Courtney Tait

Courtney Tait is a writer from Victoria, B.C. who lives in Portland. Read More

Know Before You Go

POW Film Fest in 2020 may be altered, postponed or canceled. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the POW Film Fest website.

If the future is female, then Portland’s POW Film Fest is ahead of its time. Recognized as one of the nation’s top women’s film festivals, POW showcases films by women and non-binary directors.

History of POW Film Fest

Hosted for the first time in 2003, POW Film Fest was created to bring visibility to films directed by women and non-binary directors.

“A lot of people have this preconceived notion that it’s going to be a bunch of romantic comedies, and it’s not,” says POW Film Fest Executive Director Tara Johnson-Medinger. “We have a variety of topics, themes and ages of women producing the films.”

A film producer herself, Johnson-Medinger was aware of women’s lack of representation in filmmaking when she rebooted the festival in 2008. (The festival went on a hiatus after its 2003 launch.) In an industry where just 7% of directors are female, the festival seems more necessary than ever. “Our mission is to provide space where women can thrive as media makers,” she says.

About POW Film Fest

POW Film Fest invites attendees to experience cinema crafted by seasoned and up-and-coming filmmakers alike. “It’s a fun night out with friends and [it] can open your eyes to other cultures,” Johnson-Medinger says. “There’s a lot of buzz and people wanting to hang out and have conversations after each film.”

To learn more about some of the directors and films featured at the festival, take a look at POW’s The Directors zine. Published in 2019, this publication (which feels more like a small book than a zine) features eye-catching portraits and profiles of 92 women and non-binary directors from the Portland area. In addition to celebrating their work, the zine dispels the notion of there being no women or non-binary directors for hire in Oregon. Copies of the zine can be purchased online on POW’s website).

The festival “is for anyone interested in engaging with really good stories and supporting the next generation of women leaders and directors,” says Johnson-Medinger. (And yes, this includes men, who are encouraged to attend!)

Education Efforts by POW Film Fest

Along with hosting its annual film festival, POW hosts a workshop series called POWGirls, focused on teaching girls and non-binary kids ages 15–19 skills in video production, cinematography and other aspects of filmmaking. As part of the festival’s educational efforts, these workshops provide participants with strong instruction and support in their filmmaking endeavors. To learn more about dates and availability of upcoming workshops, visit the POWGirls website.

Festivals, Film, Spring
5 To Try

Quirky Theaters

Portland is packed with one-of-a-kind cinemas.

  • Clinton Street Theater

    A landmark of Portland cinema history, the Clinton Street Theater is one of the oldest operating movie houses in the United States.

  • Hollywood Theatre

    Portland’s historic nonprofit movie theater was built in 1926 and features a striking Spanish Colonial Revival facade. The Hollywood’s three screens offer diverse programming including new arthouse releases, cinema classics, “B-Movie Bingo” and more.

  • McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub

    This theater shows second-run film releases with McMenamins handcrafted ales, wines, spirits and pub fare available to enjoy during the movie.

  • Avalon Theatre & Wunderland

    At this family-owned business, two small screens show second-run movies, while the on-site video arcade offers hours of entertainment for mere nickels.

  • Cinema 21

    Originally a single-screen theater and now a three-screen multiplex, Cinema 21 specializes in art-house, foreign and classic films and serves beer, wine and pizza along with concessions classics.

Film Fun in Portland

Explore these unique local cinemas and film festivals in Portland.

Go To Film
Cinephiles line up for a Portland Queer Film Festival screening.

Portland Queer Film Festival

Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.

Film fans enjoy beer and pizza with a movie at the Hollywood Theatre.

Brew ‘N’ View – Movie Theaters That Serve Beer

Portland’s beloved “brew ‘n’ view” movie theaters run the gamut from funky to swanky, serving up all manner of drinks, food and films.

Crowds gather at February\'s Portland International Film Festival.

Portland Film Festivals

Portland hosts more than 20 film festivals every year. Here's an overview of some of the city's top cinematic events.

Upcoming Movie Events

Take a look at these upcoming film events and screenings in Portland.

Full Calendar
Editor's Pick
Cascade Festival of African Films
Feb. 5–Mar. 10, 2021

Cascade Festival of African Films

Virtual Free

VIRTUAL EVENT. Please visit the event website for current information. The 2021 Cascade Festival of African Films will be held virtually in 2021. The festival will remain free and open to the public, but films will be shown online. Visit the event website for more details and the list of films! Founded in 1991, the…

Editor's Pick
Black History Month
Cultural Communities
Festival
Film

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