The Tacoma Film Festival works to create a haven for filmmakers and film fans. Our primary focus is to present the best in contemporary independent filmmaking and to connect filmmakers and their work with appreciative, receptive audiences in a collegial, friendly, and truly festive scene.
ALUMNI AND PNW (WA, OR, ID, BC, AK) FILMMAKERS AND PROJECTS WELCOME. OTHER THAN ALUMNI SUBMISSIONS, FILMS MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE PNW. REQUESTED TITLES MAY BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PNW CONNECTIONS. See criteria in Event Description.
CRITERIA FOR PNW ORIGIN:
🌲A substantial portion of the film was shot in the PNW as defined above
🌲The director or other above the line crew/cast (director, producer, screenwriter, lead actor, cinematographer), live and work in the PNW or have substantial connections to the PNW
🌲The film is set in or concerns the PNW
🌲The director has lived in Tacoma for at least one year at some time in their lives.
Submissions received that do not have connections to the PNW will not be reviewed and will not be eligible for a refund of the submission fee. Please email us at info@tacomafilmfestival.com if you have ANY question about the film's eligibility.
We are unable to provide a waiver code for PNW filmmakers though TACOMA filmmakers are eligible. ALUMNI are eligible for a waiver. email info@tacomafilmfestival.com for requests or any questions regarding meeting PNW criteria status.
Now entering its 19th year, the Tacoma Film Festival has grown from a small regional festival into a welcoming, interactive haven for regional and international filmmakers, industry professionals, students, fans, critics, and creative entrepreneurs.
Named by MovieMaker Magazine in 2020 as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World”, from 2011-2018 TFF was also included on their annual list of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. In 2021 Movie Maker selected us as one of 20 Great Festivals for First Time Filmmakers. In recent years, the Tacoma Film Festival has built a reputation as a low-key setting where indie film fanatics can meet up-and-coming creators and witness the future of film. Years before Naima Ramos-Chapman became a writer and producer for HBO's critically acclaimed series, Betty, she won her first award in Tacoma. Past participants also include the likes of Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld (High Maintenance); Terence Nance (Random Acts of Flyness); John Wilson (How to with John Wilson); and Julia Garner (Ozark).
Here is what others are saying about TFF:
"The ultimate indie film festival." - Seattle's CityArts Magazine
“It was one of the most diverse and current selection of films, shorts and new media that I have ever experienced in a film festival. I met people there that I will continue to be connected to for a long time.”– Juan Carlos Zaldivar, filmmaker
"It's encouraging to see festivals that strive to find a balance between the avant-garde and more traditionally focused narrative and documentary films, and Tacoma really manages to bring these worlds together in ways that allow the viewer to see they aren’t that different at all.” - Sky Hopinka, for MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World”
“The programming at TFF had such a progressive vision of cinema. The festival had a definite voice and created a warm atmosphere for filmmakers.” — Masami Kawai, filmmaker
“Very friendly, great emphasis on the films and filmmakers and creating an intimate community for film-going. Beautiful festival.” — Derek Knowles, filmmaker/cinematographer
"As independent cinema decentralizes from traditional locales like NYC and L.A., spaces like TFF become ever more important to foster the diverse networks and discourse needed to advance independent film.” — Nicholas Pilarski, filmmaker
History:
Established in 2006, the Tacoma Film Festival was created and developed by the passionate individuals behind Tacoma's only non-profit art-house movie theater, The Grand Cinema. The Grand (TFF's primary venue) is one of the Puget Sound region's strongest outlets for both international and local independent filmmakers, and works hand-in-hand with the festival to connect our city to the art of film.
ALUMNI AND PNW (WA, OR, ID, BC, AK) FILMMAKERS AND PROJECTS WELCOME. OTHER THAN ALUMNI SUBMISSIONS, FILMS MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE PNW. REQUESTED TITLES MAY BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PNW CONNECTIONS. See criteria in Event Description.
CRITERIA FOR PNW ORIGIN:
🌲A substantial portion of the film was shot in the PNW as defined above
🌲The director or other above the line crew/cast (director, producer, screenwriter, lead actor, cinematographer), live and work in the PNW or have substantial connections to the PNW
🌲The film is set in or concerns the PNW
🌲The director has lived in Tacoma for at least one year at some time in their lives.
Submissions received that do not have connections to the PNW will not be reviewed and will not be eligible for a refund of the submission fee. Please email us at info@tacomafilmfestival.com if you have ANY question about the film's eligibility.
We are unable to provide a waiver code for PNW filmmakers though TACOMA filmmakers are eligible. ALUMNI are eligible for a waiver. email info@tacomafilmfestival.com for requests or any questions regarding meeting PNW criteria status.
Now entering its 19th year, the Tacoma Film Festival has grown from a small regional festival into a welcoming, interactive haven for regional and international filmmakers, industry professionals, students, fans, critics, and creative entrepreneurs.
Named by MovieMaker Magazine in 2020 as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World”, from 2011-2018 TFF was also included on their annual list of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. In 2021 Movie Maker selected us as one of 20 Great Festivals for First Time Filmmakers. In recent years, the Tacoma Film Festival has built a reputation as a low-key setting where indie film fanatics can meet up-and-coming creators and witness the future of film. Years before Naima Ramos-Chapman became a writer and producer for HBO's critically acclaimed series, Betty, she won her first award in Tacoma. Past participants also include the likes of Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld (High Maintenance); Terence Nance (Random Acts of Flyness); John Wilson (How to with John Wilson); and Julia Garner (Ozark).
Here is what others are saying about TFF:
"The ultimate indie film festival." - Seattle's CityArts Magazine
“It was one of the most diverse and current selection of films, shorts and new media that I have ever experienced in a film festival. I met people there that I will continue to be connected to for a long time.”– Juan Carlos Zaldivar, filmmaker
"It's encouraging to see festivals that strive to find a balance between the avant-garde and more traditionally focused narrative and documentary films, and Tacoma really manages to bring these worlds together in ways that allow the viewer to see they aren’t that different at all.” - Sky Hopinka, for MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World”
“The programming at TFF had such a progressive vision of cinema. The festival had a definite voice and created a warm atmosphere for filmmakers.” — Masami Kawai, filmmaker
“Very friendly, great emphasis on the films and filmmakers and creating an intimate community for film-going. Beautiful festival.” — Derek Knowles, filmmaker/cinematographer
"As independent cinema decentralizes from traditional locales like NYC and L.A., spaces like TFF become ever more important to foster the diverse networks and discourse needed to advance independent film.” — Nicholas Pilarski, filmmaker
History:
Established in 2006, the Tacoma Film Festival was created and developed by the passionate individuals behind Tacoma's only non-profit art-house movie theater, The Grand Cinema. The Grand (TFF's primary venue) is one of the Puget Sound region's strongest outlets for both international and local independent filmmakers, and works hand-in-hand with the festival to connect our city to the art of film.
