Things To See And Do
Film Festivals in Portland, Oregon
Portland hosts more than 20 film festivals every year. Here's an overview of some of the city's top cinematic events.
Reel Music Film Festival
January/February
Reel Music, the 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 this year's Reel Music Festival at various venues.
Whitsell Auditorium
1219 S.W. Park Ave.
More info >>
BAM: Beer and Movie Fest
February
Founded in 2010, BAM: Beer and Movie Fest is a two-week festival celebrating Portland's theater pub culture. Kick back with a seasonal beer and watch cult movies, '80s classics and some film premieres at four of the city's finest theater pubs. In addition to screenings, BAM features beer dinners, free pub and bar events, and more.
Portland International Film Festival (PIFF)
February
Founded in 1977, the Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) now draws an audience of more than 30,000 attendees, making it the biggest film event in Oregon. More than 100 films — including features and international shorts — premiere at each year's festival.
Portland Women's Film Festival (POW Fest)
March
The Portland 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 comprise an exhibition of films made by women, moderated filmmaker panels, and filmmaker workshops.
Filmed by Bike
April
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 screening bike-themed independent short movies from around the world. In all, about 30 films, all under eight minutes in length, celebrate bike culture.
Clinton Street Theater
2522 S.E. Clinton St.
More info >>
Faux Film Festival
April
Every year, on the weekend closest to April Fools' Day, Portland's Faux Film Festival highlights the finest in fake film. That means three days of side-splitting counterfeit commercials, phony movie trailers, mockumentaries and all forms of satire and spoof at the historic Hollywood Theatre.
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 a queer content. The documentary form is a vital and energetic construct for deeply exploring and celebrating contemporary culture in an entertaining and accessible manner. 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.
Clinton Street Theater
2522 S.E. Clinton St.
More info >>
Top Down: Rooftop Films
July-August
The NW Film Center presents a series of outdoor screenings on the panoramic rooftop of the Hotel deLuxe 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.
Hotel deLuxe
729 S.W. 15th Ave.
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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." Held on five consecutive Friday nights, mid-July-mid-August.
Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
October
The Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival annually showcases feature, 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.
Cinema 21
616 N.W. 21st Ave.
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Northwest Film & Video Festival
November
This 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.
Whitsell Auditorium
1219 S.W. Park Ave.
More info >>
