Our Mission
The mission of the Gig Harbor Film Festival is to cultivate a community of filmmakers and film lovers that celebrates the power of the cinematic arts to educate, entertain, and inspire.
Our Vision
The Gig Harbor Film Festival is a year-round film program which culminates with a highly regarded destination film festival that is recognized as a top-tier event by filmmakers, film buffs, and the local community.
Every great film begins with a story—and every September, those stories come to life at the Gig Harbor Film Festival.
Since our first festival in 2007, we have taken great care in providing an unforgettable festival experience for filmmakers and film-lovers. Today, our festival hosts more than 80 visiting filmmakers, screens over 100 films, and reaches an audience of over 4,000!
All of our films are screened in the highest possible quality at the luxurious, state-of-the-art Galaxy Theatre in Uptown Gig Harbor. Surrounded by many popular restaurant options and our Kiwanis VIP Lounge, the Galaxy theatre is an ideal festival hub for visitors and locals alike.
Our festival programming provides three full days’ worth of film entertainment in a wide variety of genres, and offers something unique for just about every taste. We aim to cultivate a vibrant community of filmmakers and film-lovers who come together each year to celebrate their love of great cinematic storytelling.
Thanks to our famous hospitality, many filmmakers choose to attend the festival in person, and offer Q&A sessions with audience members at their screenings. Combined with our lively party schedule, this creates a winning combination of networking opportunities and fun for industry professionals, and a festival experience for locals that is not to be missed.
Whether you’re a local looking for some cultural refreshment or a filmmaker planning your circuit calendar, we’re certain you’ll find just what you are looking for at the Gig Harbor Film Festival. Check our website regularly to stay up to date on all of our events and activities throughout the year! If you’d like to be notified by email of all we have to offer, sign up for our newsletter below.
Would you like to get involved? We love our volunteers, sponsors, and donors. Click here for ways to support the Gig Harbor Film Festival!
Set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of Gig Harbor, Washington, our four-day celebration of independent cinema brings together filmmakers and audiences from around the world to share unforgettable films, meaningful conversations, and moments that linger long after the credits roll.
From powerful documentaries and inspiring true stories to award-winning features and inventive shorts, each film is carefully selected to surprise, move, and entertain. Many filmmakers attend in person, giving audiences the rare opportunity to experience behind-the-scenes conversations and unforgettable Q&A sessions.
All screenings take place in the luxurious Galaxy Theatres in Uptown Gig Harbor, where world-class cinema meets small-town hospitality. Beyond the screen, you’ll discover lively parties, filmmaker events, workshops, and a welcoming community that celebrates the art of storytelling.
Whether you’re a lifelong film lover, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply looking for an extraordinary weekend, the Gig Harbor Film Festival invites you to laugh, reflect, connect, and be inspired—one remarkable story at a time.
Our Staff
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THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE FESTIVAL
OUR BOARD
BOARD PRESIDENT
TINA SHOEMAKER
VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN HARRINGTON
TREASURER
PETER MORKILL
SECRETARY
JANE KOLER
DIRECTORS
MARK RIECK
BETTINA SHERICK
LEE JORGENSON
JEREMY KENT JACKSON
OUR STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PAMELA HOLT
PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
JOSH HOPE
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MARK RIECK
DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
NATALIE LYNCH
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
BONNIE BOUGHTON
(BONNIE BOUGHTON DESIGN)
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
KIM COFER
FESTIVAL COORDINATORS
LAUREN AND JASON JARVIS
FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS
NATALIE LYNCH
TARA JAYN
News
August 7, 2024
There had been plenty of warning before November 7, 1940, so cameras were ready when Galloping Gertie, the four-month-old suspension bridge linking Tacoma to the Kitsap Peninsula, plunged into the water below, making it one of the best documented bridge collapses in history.
2026 FESTIVAL PHOTOS
Thank you, Angie Mitchell Photo, for capturing the weekend in all its beauty!
Download your photos, and don’t forget to tag us!
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