The Portland Festival of Film, Animation & Technology (PFCAT) will return to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry from August 21-25, with showcases and competitions. Founded as a traveling international film and technology festival, PFCAT rebranded in 2022 and made Portland its permanent home.
Organizers say this year’s lineup will include 150 films from 30 countries, 20 more than last year. Four screens will show films at any given time, with at least two theaters showing films simultaneously. PFCAT will screen 15 films by Portland filmmakers. Winners in categories such as “Best Feature Film,” “Best Oregon Short Film” and “Best Music” will receive awards designed by local artist Mike Bennett. PFCAT audiences will also be able to vote in some categories using an augmented reality smartphone app.
DownwindThe Mark Shapiro-directed documentary, narrated by Michael Douglas and Martin Sheen and depicting the impact of nuclear testing on Native Americans in Utah, has won multiple awards since its debut at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival and is a likely PFCAT standout.
Portland animator Joanna Priestley will also be presenting a retrospective of her work in the industry. With over 40 years in the world of independent animation, Priestley has also had retrospectives at the British Film Institute and the Museum of Modern Art. There will also be a “Paths to Animation” panel, presented in collaboration with non-profit organization Women in Animation, to help young creators understand what a career in animation involves.
Last year, animator Bill Plimpton showed off some of his latest animated work. slideNow that it’s complete, Plimpton is set to be shown. slide The audience will be able to watch the film until the end, and there will be a signing session after the film. Plimpton has a long history with animation. His short films include your face He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1987, but many may only be familiar with some of his work. The Simpsons‘ The opening “couch gag” sequence.
PFCAT plans to screen more feature films this year, many of them animated or documentaries. “In terms of the number of screening hours, that’s a significant increase compared to 2023,” PFCAT co-founder Peter Isaac said.
OMSI’s planetarium offers original animated films and documentaries in unconventional ways that fully immerse the audience in the cinematic experience. Films made for virtual reality systems are also shown in headsets, providing a similarly immersive experience from independent filmmakers.
PFCAT organizers hope to see a return of the strong community ties that were evident in the local film industry at last year’s festival.
“Last year was just so much fun and creative energy,” says PFCAT co-founder Marisa Alexander. “Participants met each other and brainstormed ideas for new projects. We had such a good turnout that we thought we’d try it again and scale it up a bit.”
Please look: The Portland Film, Animation & Technology Festival is at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, 503-381-5789, pdxfestofcinema.com, Wednesday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 25. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $10 for youth, with a $2 discount for OMSI members. All-access festival passes are $48 for adults, $46 for seniors and $44 for youth, with a $3 discount for OMSI members.
