“Inward” w/ Michi Meko & Chad Brown

On November 21 PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater presents a screening and an event featuring Portland-based environmental activist, documentarian, and non-profit founder, Chad Brown and the Portland premiere of his gorgeous short film Inward about renowned painter and explorer Michi Meko, who will be in attendance for this special screening.

A self-described explorer, cartographer, and abstractionist, Michi’s work seeks to capture the wild beauty of nature through the eyes of a “lone black man reporting back from the new world.” There will be a post-film discussion with Chad and Michi moderated by a special guest. Continue reading... ““Inward” w/ Michi Meko & Chad Brown”

“Black Friday” Returns to The Hollywood Theatre on November 8

“Home” transcends mere walls and roofs. Two short films explore the changing landscape of “home” through the eyes of Black Portlanders with the premiere of episode 2 of the award-winning series Where We Goin’ and the continuation of our Elder Anthologies series which features a moving letter from past Portland NAACP president Sharon Gary-Smith to the youth of the Rose City.

Where We Goin’ Episode II: The Power of Place follows art producer Intisar Abioto (Black Portlanders, Black Artists of Oregon) and Winta Yohannes of Albina Vision Trust the largest restorative redevelopment project in the country, we journey into the heart of neighborhoods once vibrant and thriving, now shadowed by a history of displacement and loss. Continue reading... ““Black Friday” Returns to The Hollywood Theatre on November 8”

PSU & LAIKA Announce Partnership

Portland State University and award-winning Portland-based animation studio LAIKA — known for groundbreaking Oscar®-nominated animated feature films such as Coraline, ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings — today announced an industry partnership to help develop and diversify the region’s creative workforce.

“This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to nurture the creative talent that will enhance Portland’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape,” said PSU President Ann Cudd. “We believe diversity of thought and experience is the spark of creativity and innovation. Continue reading... “PSU & LAIKA Announce Partnership”

Outside the Frame Gala Screening – “Reel Ambitions” – Nov. 7

Come make a difference in our city

Reel Ambitions: Films by youth who have experienced homelessness

The November 7th celebration will feature our best work yet (again), which we couldn’t do without your support!

The lineup includes “American Teenager,” a slice of life drama about a girl living in a motel and “The Spot,” a comedy about young people crammed into their first apartment. Reel Ambitions will also premiere “My Shoes,” a music video by OTF alumnus Talilo Marfil featuring legendary indie rapper Tech N9ne. Continue reading... “Outside the Frame Gala Screening – “Reel Ambitions” – Nov. 7”

Oregon Humanities Community Storytelling Fellowship – Submission Deadline Oct 1

Apply for a Community Storytelling Fellowship by October 1.

Applications are currently open for Oregon Humanities’ 2025 Community Storytelling Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded annually to Oregonians who want to tell stories about communities that are underrepresented in Oregon media. Each fellow receives $5,000 to support the creation of true stories—including journalism, creative nonfiction, comics, video, audio, photography, and other media—about those communities.

Six fellowships will be awarded in 2025. Three fellowships will be reserved for storytellers living in rural communities.

Continue reading... “Oregon Humanities Community Storytelling Fellowship – Submission Deadline Oct 1”

RISE: Community Cinema Showcase

Rise: Community Cinema Showcase is co-presented by Catalyst Film Collective and Women in Film – Portland. The showcase will feature seven short films made by members from both organizations, tied by themes of rising above life’s challenges to uncover our truest selves.

Catalyst Film Collective is a Portland-based nonprofit elevating new voices in film by creating opportunities for members of marginalized communities to tell our own stories—both in front of and behind the camera—at all levels of production.

Women in Film – Portland is a non-profit serving the Portland community whose mission is to elevate woman and non-binary folks through education, outreach, and professional development. Continue reading... “RISE: Community Cinema Showcase”

Desert Island Studios Hosts First “Level Up” Workshop

Desert Island Studios in Portland hosted its first Level Up Workshop last weekend. According to the hosts and the attendees, the event was a tremendous success.

With these Level Up Workshops, DIS strives to provide educational content that will be relevant to a variety of experience levels, accompanied by targeted outreach meant to entice participants for whom the material is most appropriate.

In the wake of the pandemic and recent strikes, DIS feels it’s an important time to equip future generations of media makers with the invaluable tools and knowledge they will need to be successful in their careers. Continue reading... “Desert Island Studios Hosts First “Level Up” Workshop”

Desert Island Studios Launches the DAMN Good People List

Damn Good People is a DEI-focused concierge staffing service facilitated by Desert Island Studios that matches mid to advanced-level production creatives and technicians to production jobs in Oregon. When a project partners with us, we work with their production team to facilitate the sourcing and hiring of talent from our roster based on their project needs. The DAMN list is vetted and can fulfill a variety of crew needs across all departments. Our roster represents a talented community of mid-level professionals from traditionally underrepresented communities within the film/tv/commercial industry. Continue reading... “Desert Island Studios Launches the DAMN Good People List”

Creatives of Color Mixer & Union Seminar

Join us on October 24th for a special networking event hosted for the Creatives of Color Oregon. Afterwards, dive into the world of entertainment unions with an informative session on joining a Union, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet and learn from representatives of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 488 (IATSE 488).

From 5-6pm OMPA presents a COCO networking mixer. A vibrant networking social hour designed for Creatives of Color. Continue reading... “Creatives of Color Mixer & Union Seminar”

Media Bias? Creator Bias?: “Free Willy”

On the Surface: “Free Willy”

The Mere Exposure Effect Workshop
Media Bias? Biased Creators.

It’s great to watch movies set in your hometown.  For many of us, Free Willy is a childhood favorite. This Sept. 22nd, when attending the #OregonMade film event, pay close attention to the implicit biases that show up in this film. The last time I watched “Free Willy” two scenes left me shaking my head in disbelief.  How had I not noticed these scenes before?  Today, it’s my job to turn a critical eye toward all media and unpack biases. Continue reading... “Media Bias? Creator Bias?: “Free Willy””