The Portland Film Festival is excited to announce its inclusion in the Moviemaker Magazine list of "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee." 

MovieMaker has compiled the list of film festivals for over 10 years, recently expanding it from 25 to 50. The criteria for selection include a complex analysis over a broad range of topics.

According to MovieMaker Magazine, "festivals around the world were sent a survey encompassing such criteria as travel compensation, value of prizes, acceptance/submissions ratio, alumni relations, networking and press opportunities, quality of panels, workshops, and even parties."

MovieMaker then ranks the answers on a point system and "looks into some helpful testimonials from circuit-weary moviemakers" to arrive at 50.

This is the first year that the Portland Film Festival was included on the prestigious list, but second time it completed the questionnaire. Other Oregon festivals included this year include Bend and Ashland. Even the Governor's Office of Film, Oregon Film, chimed in on their Facebook Page, "We knew it, you knew it, and now everyone knows it!"

"It's always an honor to be noticed. And knowing that others appreciate our efforts is heart warming—the real people we need to thank are the countless volunteers and thousands of hours they have donated to make the festival a reality," said Executive Director Josh Leake, "and let's not forget the sponsors and the filmmakers themselves—together we support our mission of bringing more independent film, cast, crew and filmmaking events and education to Portland."

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales added to the city's designation of the "city of roses," by also naming Portland the "city of film" during the week-long festival. This year's festival is scheduled Septemeber 1-7 including Labor Day weekend. Last year hundreds of filmmakers associated with over 145 screened films made the trek to Portland, making it the largest film festival for filmmakers by filmmakers in the state.

The Portland Film Festival has already established itself as Portland’s leading film non-profit, with hundreds of screenings, events, education programs and community partnerships providing a unique opportunity for our diverse audience to connect with filmmakers working in all different genres and forms. In addition, the festivals hosts dozens of film and television professionals, offering filmmakers a chance to forge new relationships across the industry. In November, MovieMaker named the Portland Film Festival as one of the “25 coolest film festivals of the world.”

Submission Platforms

• Withoutabox
• Film Freeway
• Film Festival Life
• Direct Submission

Deadlines

• Regular Deadline – April 14, 2015
• Late Deadline – May 6, 2015
• Extended Deadline – May 15, 2015
• Final – May 22, 2015