WELCOME

Welcome to the 30th Portland International Film Festival, the Northwest Film Center’s annual showcase of new world cinema. The Festival enters its fourth decade because of you—our loyal audiences, generous sponsors and intriguing filmmakers—whose curiosity, caring and sense of community keep making this event possible. It has also thrived on the cumulative success of the creative, -driving passion of the staff that has made the Film Center such a vibrant contributor to the region’s cultural community for over 35 years. The sum of the collective energies can hardly be expressed in words.
As you read this year’s program many of the Festival sponsors will be familiar.Their faith and investment has encouraged others. This year we are pleased to welcome many new supporters: Tropicana, Living Room Cinemas, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, EDS, Mexican Airlines, Hotel de Luxe and the Ace Hotel among others. We are appreciative of their regard for this great event and hope you will let them know in whatever ways can that their support is appreciated.
A 30th anniversary is a time to take stock of purpose and mission. Quite simply, it happily remains the same as it has always been: to bring audiences together with outstanding international cinema that offers perspective and appreciation of the art of film and the people, stories and common experience that connect us all. Looking back over the years I am reminded of the tag line for the 13th Festival “Sometimes the most enlightening place to be is in the dark.” This year we hope you find continuing enlightenment as the lights go down and celebrate not only cinema, but the communal pleasure of the shared cinematic experience.

Bill Foster, Director
Northwest Film Center

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS