The 2025 edition of Tag! Queer Shorts Festival hits the screen at the Hollywood Theatre on April 5-6, 2025. This year’s theme is “Create, Gather, Resist,” which is a direct call for LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and allies to respond to the dire political climate by engaging in visual storytelling that counters the dehumanizing narratives, to join together in celebration and solidarity, and to organize against the transphobia, homophobia, ableism, racism, and sexism that characterize this administration.
This year’s festival features 42 local and international short films organized into four thematic blocks. Continue reading... “Tag! Queer Shorts Festival 2025”
In partnership with Travel Portland the Portland Events and Film Office announced today the three recipients of the 2024 Amplify Portland grant. This grant was created to uplift filmmakers who use local talent, crews and vendors – building opportunities for professional growth and bringing exposure to Portland through unique, diverse storytelling both on screen and behind the scenes.
After a thought provoking and spirited review process led by industry professionals, three top scoring productions were awarded $10,000 each to bring their visions to life. Continue reading... ““Amplify Portland” Announces Grant Winners”
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”
“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”
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”
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”
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 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 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”
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”
In partnership with Travel Portland the Portland Events and Film Office 
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.
“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.
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.
Come make a difference in our city
Apply for a Community Storytelling Fellowship by October 1.
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.
