2026 GHFF Photos

Submit Your Film to the Gig Harbor Film Festival!

Hello Filmmakers!

 Whether you are an alumni or a new-to-us director, please consider submitting your independent film.  We program a wide variety of genres for our diverse audience in the South Puget Sound region of Washington State. Located about an hour south of Seattle (easy airport access for our filmmakers that fly in from all over the world), Gig Harbor has been called one of the Top Five Small Towns in America by Smithsonian Magazine. Filmmakers and their teams love our charming waterfront city, the warm hospitality they receive, and the comfort of our festival’s home at the (all-under-one-roof) Uptown Galaxy Theatre.

Films, parties, networking and fun. That’s what we do!

Please come and join the Gig Harbor Film Festival lineup and see why we are still rated as one of FilmFreeway’s Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals in the world.  Screen your masterpiece in full digital projection, 16-channel sound theatres at the Gig Harbor Film Festival.  All submission deadlines and additional details can be found at FilmFreeway.com or click below.

Already submitted your film?

See The Filmmaker Official Selection Letter

What Filmmakers Are Saying About Our Festival

I can't say enough positive things about the Gig Harbor Film Festival. The communication leading up to the festival was clear and concise. The festival is extremely well managed and truly focuses on the filmmakers. They offered interesting and relevant industry led break out sessions meaningful to film people of all levels. The community and volunteer involvement was stellar, offering food and drinks throughout the day, a central location to meet people and something you don't see at all festivals; filled seats! This is a town that appreciates film and the filled seats with an overflow theatre at the ready confirmed that. The Q&A's were quality discussions and this is a festival that runs the full credits after each film. Believe it or not many fests do not. They understand the importance of celebrating everyone related to the film. I have been to 18 festivals in the last 14 months with my latest film and this was clearly the best. Thank you to the programming committee, volunteers the Board and the Gig Harbor moviegoers for such a wonderful experience.
Melissa Davey(Director) Climbing Into Life
I was fortunate to attend the festival this past edition with my short film Hearts of Stone, which was nominated for Best Short Film. The hospitality throughout the festival was truly top-notch, from the multiple screenings of our block to the lively and engaging Q&As. I was very lucky to have Ann Rowberg as my host—she, along with the entire festival team, was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and welcoming. There were fun interviews with Natalie and Tara, fantastic party locations, and an overall atmosphere that made the entire experience unforgettable. The programming, led by the amazing Josh Hope, was excellent and truly showcased the festival’s high standards. It’s a blueprint for how a festival should be run, and I’m sure it will continue to flourish in the years ahead. I certainly hope to return one day with another project.
Tom Van Avermaet(Director) Hearts of Stone
Can't say enough good things about this festival. Great lineup of films that I was proud to be among. Super friendly staff who were so helpful - an absolutely fantastic theater (Galaxy) with great sound and projection, and the screenings were very well attended. I'm really glad I made the trip. Highly recommend!
John Gray(Best Director 2025) A Guest in My Country
Gig Harbor is a world class film festival in every respect. The care and attention that they give to filmmakers, their beautiful screening venue that shows off the highest quality production values of our films, the charm of Gig Harbor itself - not to mention its proximity to Seattle. I could go on and on. The programming is well-considered, and I discovered some real gems at this festival. They are true champions of indie film. Another small detail that I appreciate: how early they let filmmakers know of their acceptance so that you can plan your month around this wonderful festival. I was honored to screen my film, KIND MOTHER, here, and will submit my future work. Thank you for an amazing experience, Gig Harbor Film Festival!
Clare O'Connor(Director) KIND MOTHER
This is my second time at this festival and was beyond impressed both times. For our 2025 showing of our film Zzaslow K-427 we won the first ever Founders Award along with a cash prize and I was blown away. They are kind, professional and welcoming. Also they get great attendance on all of the screenings, all three (one encore) screenings were full for both of our films. Also Gig Harbor is so beautiful. THANK YOU Gig Harbor Film Festival. Can't wait to return.
Robert Ham(Director) Zzaslow K-427
120+
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5-STAR REVIEWS ON FILMFREEWAY
See More Reviews on Film Freeway

Exclusive Massy Ferguson Performance

Preferred Lodging Partners

LODGING:

The following list includes GHFF preferred lodging partners within the Gig Harbor area. When you call to make a reservation, please mention that you are a filmmaker/guest with the GHFF to get the best rate.

  • Best Western Wesley Inn & Suites is a charming, family-run hotel that is close to downtown Gig Harbor and about 7 minutes from the Galaxy. Please call 253-858-9690 for discounted rates on the room block and mention that you are with the GHFF. https://www.wesleyinn.com
  • The Waterfront Inn offers unbeatable views and comfort directly on the harbor in downtown Gig Harbor. This boutique property is offering discounted rates using the code GHFF20.
  • The Maritime Inn is a charming boutique hotel located downtown across from the waterfront, restaurants, and Jerisich Park. The Inn is offering discounted rooms for GHFF guests. Please call 253-858-1818 to book.  http://www.maritimeinn.com.
  • Our local Vacasa representative is James Karrer who offers several larger vacation rentals including spacious waterfront options. He can be reached at james.karrer@vacasa.com or 206-229-7704.
  • The Gig Harbor Marina downtown offers nightly yacht rentals (at the dock) so you can sleep on the water! Please contact Danielle Taylor at dtaylor@gigharbormarina.com for availability of Fleet Suites yachts.  https://gigharbormarina.com/lodging/
  • The Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront is just a 20-minute drive across the bridge in the lively waterfront neighborhood of Point Ruston. This elegant property offers many amenities including a spa.  https://www.silvercloud.com/pointruston/


AIRPORT SHUTTLE:

There is a shuttle available that will transport you to and from SeaTac Airport to Gig Harbor called the Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter. One-way tickets are $31 and the shuttle drops off/picks up at the Inn at Gig Harbor. Shuttles leave SeaTac Airport at 20 minutes after the hour. Refer to the following website for more information: www.kitsapairporter.com. Please note that reservations cannot be made for the SeaTac to Gig Harbor portion of the trip — it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

LOCAL SHUTTLE:

We are again offering a volunteer-driven shuttle that will transport filmmakers between Gig Harbor lodging and event venues. More information will be in your filmmaker packet.

Gig Harbor Film Festival Memories

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