See festival highlights and film schedule

The Northwest’s premiere showcase of new work by regional filmmakers, the Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival—for 38 years called the Northwest Film & Video Festival—brings artists and audiences together for a singular community celebration. Each year the Festival draws more than 400 entries from filmmakers in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, presenting to the public carefully selected programs of outstanding work and awarding critical recognition to top juror- and audience-recognized films. After the Festival, the event lives on in the form of the “Best of the Northwest” touring program, presented at key cultural and educational organizations across the Northwest.

Submit your film to the 43rd Northwest Filmmakers' Festival 

Submission is free via our online entry form. Click here to submit.

Entry Information
Eligibility: Permanent residents of Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington may submit two works of any length or genre released since January 1, 2014. Student entries (college and university only) must be from a school located in the Northwest.

Deadline

All submissions must be received no later than August 15, 2016.

Please email nwfest@nwfilm.org if you have questions about the submission process.

You can also submit via FilmFreeway. 

Entry is free using our entry form. There is a $2 surcharge per entry via FilmFreeway.

Notification and Entry Return

We will notify all filmmakers of the status of their work via e-mail by October 15, 2016.

42nd Northwest Filmmakers' Festival Audience Award Winners

Favorite Narrative Feature
THE TREE INSIDE
Michelle Kim

Favorite Documentary Feature
MAKE MINE COUNTRY
Ian Berry

Favorite Documentary Short
BEAUTY AND THE SEA 
Ivy Lin

Favorite Experimental Short
MEMORY
Stuart Eagon

Favorite Narrative Short
FOR JEAN PIERRE MELVILLE
Ira Flowers

Favorite Animated Short
NIGHT WEAVER
Joan Gratz

The Northwest Film Center is proud to have Steve Anker as the official Festival judge for its 42nd edition of the Northwest Filmmakers' Festival.

Festival, Tour, Awards & Honoraria
Following presentation in Portland, the Film Center will assemble selected works for the Best of the Northwest Touring Program that will circulate throughout the region in the following year. Works presented at the Festival and in the Tour will be screened in their original formats. This year’s Festival and tour participants will share in approximately $15,000 in lab service awards and Tour honoraria.

Press and Sponsorship Opportunities
The Festival is sustained through the encouragement, leadership, and generosity of loyal sponsors who value the unique artistic accomplishments of Northwest filmmakers and want to support the regional creative community. For information about partnership opportunities, contact Rachel Record at 503-221-1156 x17 or rachel@nwfilm.org.

Please direct all press inquiries to Nick Bruno, Publicity and Promotions Manager, at 503-221-1156 x20 or nick@nwfilm.org.

Past Festivals
Visit the 41st Northwest Filmmakers' Festival micro site (2014) or visit our archive.

Past Judges