At the Port Townsend Film Institute we want to tend the most valuable resource we have, the fertile ground of imagination right here at home.
We believe that the shared cinematic experience of creating and viewing film can strengthen our community and expand our shared humanity. It is a simple, ambitious goal.
What does the Institute do? 
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March, 2011- Partnering with Olympic Pet Pals, PTFI will host a screening of the moving documentary "PAX", the story of a service dog who rescued an Army veteran from his isolation resulting from PTSD.
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January, 2011- Filmmakers Alec Boehm and Stephanie Argy brought their short film, "Gandhi at the Bat," and returned to classrooms in February with their feature film, "The Red Machine."
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January, 2011- Filmmaker Patricia Van Ryker, with her documentary film"Twenty Five Hundred & One" traveled throughout the region screening in classrooms, community centers, coffee houses and libraries- a film that gently opens a door to another impact of economic migration around the world.
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January, 2011- "The Sound of Music"- introduced a new generation to a classic film with great fun and a chance to sing with their neighbors. Global Lens- this world cinema collection brings 10 films from around the world to the Rosebud Cinema on Saturday mornings. Admission is minimal and free to students.
- September, 2010 - The Eleventh Annual film festival welcomed 96 short and feature length films for three days celebrating cinema. Directors, producers and actors were here representing over 50 films.
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27 Festival passes were distributed to students nominated by their instructors, thanks to sponsors & volunteers who donated their seats.
- Peter Simpson Free Cinema welcomed anyone to view films from the festival catalog at no charge.
The PTFI Mission is to bring inspiration and ideas through film. Our programs introduce communities to film as art, personal expression and celebration twelve months a year.
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Classroom study guide for PS Free Cinema was created for schools in Jefferson, Kitsap and Clallam counties with film guides to short and feature length films available during our September film festival.
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Quilcene Community Center - PTFI selected films from previous festivals and presented four film evenings with discussion following.
- May, 2010 - Linda Hattendorf, director of the award winning documentary "The Cats of Mirikitani ," appeared at three schools and the Quilcene Community Center, discussing the Japanese American experience during WW II and the lasting effects of the internment camp for one remarkable artist. PTFI Goals
PTFI Goals
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Launch the Peter Simpson Film Scholarship Fund, an annual award for a promising filmmaker to pursue film education at the institution of their choice
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Bring 5 additional film artists, cinematographers or writers to the schools each year
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Collaborate on opening an editing and educational suite for students and private citizens to create film independently
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Secure financial stability for our annual film festival
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Support public screenings of select independent film in cooperation with other non profits in the region
As students and citizens learn more about film as a communication tool, they also become curious about the details of screenwriting, storyboarding, choosing actors and locations, designing sets, cinematography, videography, costuming, makeup, special effects, sound and the editorial and distribution process. PTFI lectures, film screenings and workshops empower members of the community to be actively creative, and may inspire new approaches to our own challenges. And, there is always the pure joy of a shared story with neighbors and friends.
Bringing the filmmaking experience into classrooms, libraries, coffee houses and community centers makes the cinema more real and accessible. Audiences who can ask questions about the content of the film, the techniques that delight and intrigue us- this is how we deepen our relationship with cinema. When a producer can describe the story behind the process of creating a spectacular scene, we get to move behind the camera, considering the possibility of our own creations in a new perspective.
