The Northwest Film Center's 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival

The 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival opens in Portland this Friday with a full nine days of events created to both nurture and celebrate Northwest artists. This truly is an event designed for film and video makers.

With well over 300 submissions this year, the 48 films screened will concisely represent the vitality and breadth of filmmaking in this corner of the world. With strong showings from the smaller markets, the Northwest Fest presents films from places like Bonner, Montana and Juneau, Alaska as well as works from venerable veterans of Northwest filmmaking such as Chel White, Serge Gregory, Vanessa Renwick, Rick Raxlen, and Matt McCormick.

The Festival opens Friday with a screening of short films at 7PM at the Guild Theatre (829 SW 9th) followed by a celebratory Opening Night Party just blocks away at AURA Restaurant and Lounge (1022 West Burnside). The festivities will include a film created live by Reed Harkness, a View-Master for the masses performance by Vladimir, (PDX-Fest's World Champion of Experimental Film) and live music from Mood Area 52. Tickets are $10 advance and include admission to the screening at 7PM.

The Festival continues through November 13 with screenings every night including more collections of short films, several features-including the Northwest premiere of Homecoming, directed by Jon Jost (All the Vermeers in New York) as well as other events designed to mix film makers with film lovers. Closing night will bring the announcement of the "Best of the Festival" audience prize as well as the list of works chosen for the "Best of the 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival" which will tour to venues large and small throughout 2005.

With the screenings offering not only a showcase for Northwest filmmaking but also inspiration for future work from our area's artists, the Festival also presents several workshops designed to illuminate resources in the area and draw out the expertise of those who have gone down these production roads before.

Festival Judge, Sam Green, nominated for an Oscar for his documentary, The Weather Underground, will discuss "The Art of Research" (Saturday, November 6, 11am at the Guild Theatre). Green will share his techniques for uncovering and gaining access to information.

Northwest Film Center favorite, Morrie Warshawski will offer two workshops, "Shaking the Money Tree" and "Jumpstart Your Career in Film/Video" both divulging invaluable methods to film production and financing.

From tips on making festival-worthy short films from Seattle's One Reel Festival Director, Warren Etheredge, to advice on selling your project to public television or dealing with music copyrights and legalities, the Festival will bring experts in each field who are generous with the valuable information they can share.