The 8th Annual Portland Film Festival, will screen more than 100 independent films, with more than half directed by women, from October 14 to 20, 2019 at the Hi-Lo Hotel in downtown Portland.
The festival opens on Tuesday, October 15 with “Standing Up, Falling Down,” directed by Matt Ratner and starring Grace Gummer (“Mr. Robot,” “The Newsroom,” and “Frances Ha”); Ben Schwartz (“Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Parks and Recreation”); Eloise Mumford (“Chicago Fire” and “Fifty Shades of Grey”); and Billy Crystal (“Analyze This,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and “When Harry Met Sally…”).
“Here Awhile” directed by Tim True, a movie shot in Portland and also appearing at the Napa Valley Film Festival in November, is the closing night feature on Saturday, October 19. It stars Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect,” “True Blood,” and “The Mindy Project”), Joe Lo Truglio (“Wet Hot American Summer,” “Superbad,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) and others.
“We are excited to be the presenting sponsor of the Portland Film Festival for the third consecutive year,” said David Tashjian, Regional Vice-President of Comcast Oregon/SW Washington. “This Festival is a way for us to ensure the voices of independent filmmakers are heard – for their creativity and innovation to be shared with Portlanders who embrace the tradition of storytelling through film.”
This year, a special track of films made by veterans with the Patton Veterans Project will be part of the Festival. Made possible by Comcast, the project is led by Benjamin Patton, grandson of General George Patton, who led a three-day filmmaking workshop at the VA in Portland for veterans who are coping with posttraumatic stress as a way to reduce social isolation and strengthen family, community, and professional bonds. The short films will be screened at the Festival on Sunday, October 20.
“This festival has always been dedicated to celebrating the power of a storytelling from a diverse set of perspectives, and we are proud to showcase independent voices from U.S. military veterans, young people, and Native Americans at the festival this year,” said Josh Leake, Portland Film Festival co-founder and executive director. “This is a Festival for all, by all, and we appreciate the support of Governor Brown, Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Eudaly in acknowledging the importance of film to Oregon, Portland and the community.”