Portland Festival of Cinema Animation And Technology

OMSI is the place to be in Portland as the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology will present five days of screenings, panels, presentations, parties, and our annual award ceremony. The festival is open to a variety of genres and will highlight films and animations created by visionary filmmakers and animators from across the globe. The festival also features VR, dome film screenings, and other special technology showcases. Thank you in advance to our jury, volunteers, and team!

Schedule of Events:

12:00pm - Behind the Scenes: Creating Worlds with Digital Technology (Panel And Interactive Expo)

This is a special two-part event all about boosting creativity and finding the tools to get started. The event starts with a panel discussion (12pm-1pm) and concludes with an interactive mini expo (1pm-2pm)

Join us for an immersive exploration of how artists use digital tools to bring animated characters and vibrant worlds to life. First, in an engaging panel, illustrators, animators, and storyboard artists will showcase how they leverage technology and tablets like Wacom, alongside other leading digital tools, to craft compelling stories. Participants will share their creative workflows, walk through live demos, and offer valuable insights into the tools and techniques behind their art.

Following the panel discussion, the festival will host an interactive session from 1–2 PM where attendees can try out some of the technologies featured in the conversation and connect directly with representatives from local film, TV, and animation organizations at dedicated tables. Representatives from AEPDX, OMPA, MOSMA and other will be in attendance. During this time, we will also hold a "Botjoy Making Workshop" with award-winning local artist Gary Hirsch outside of the Empirical Theater. Make your own domino Botjoy to inspire, support and celebrate people in your community.

This event is a unique opportunity to get inspired and experience the creative process firsthand. Open to all ages and artists of all skill levels. 

Panelists include:

Masha Ellsworth
Clara Chan 
Chad Stewart
Janie Faison
Tomas Muelling (moderator)

Location: The Auditorium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

12:00pm - The Storm

Daguzi, a poor young man, finds a child named Bao drifting on the shore and decides to adopt him. To give Bao a better future, he takes him to the Bay of the Great Dragon to search for the treasures of a mysterious black ship. However, Daguzi is captured by the ship's monster, who begins to turn him into a monster. Bao desperately tries to save his father. Meanwhile, the legends and ghost stories of the bay emerge, revealing many adventures.

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

1:00pm - Botjoy Making Workshop 1

Join us for a Botjoy Making Workshop with award-winning artist Gary Hirsch. Make your own domino Botjoy to inspire, support and celebrate people in your community.

Admission included with Behind the Scenes: Creating Worlds with Digital Technology

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

2:00pm - Animated Comedy Extravaganza

PFCAT’s 2025 Animated Comedy Extravaganza features a selection of entertaining animated shorts. Each of these shorts brings its own unique style and sense of fun, offering clever situations and playful characters without leaning on slapstick or overused jokes. Take a journey that’s lighthearted, creative, and genuinely entertaining. Recommended for ages 8+.

2:00pm
Pow!
Kid President
Who Do We Appreciate
Goos'd
Cats on Things
Dancing Dhamaal!
Ronny: A Crocumentary
The Lonely Life of Lint
Social Spheres
Retrieving Roadie
Up & Out
Fellow Aquarians
Unknown Callers
Birds of a Feather
Eureka

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

2:30pm - The Art of Voice Acting in Animation, Ads & Games, Presented by SAG-AFTRA

Voice acting is the driving force that brings animation, commercials, and video games to life. We will explore how voice actors transform dialog in scripts into memorable characters that resonate with audiences. This panel takes audience members behind the scenes of voice acting. We’ll explore voice acting across different mediums ranging from immersive storytelling in animation and video games to the unique approach needed for modern commercial spots. If you’re curious about how skilled voice actors bring characters to life or want to go into voice acting yourself, join us for valuable insights, creative techniques, and career advice from our expert panel.

Panelists include:

Anna Campbell
Bob Bergen
Matt Vaughn
Marchelle Thurman
Moderated by Keythe Farley

Location: The Auditorium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

4:00pm - Breaking Boundaries with Innovative Distribution Strategies

Traditional pathways to distribution are less certain than in the past and are no longer the only route to success. This distribution-focused panel brings together creators who have charted their own paths towards distribution. Learn how today’s savvy filmmakers are leveraging technology, such as direct-to-audience streaming, and self-empowering strategies to put their work into the hands of global audiences. From digital platforms to crowdfunding campaigns, our panelists will share how they’ve bypassed the gatekeepers forging new paths to success.

Panelists:

Barret O'Brien
Anna Campbell
Kitty Norton
Joey Clift
Peter Issac Alexander (moderator)

Location: The Auditorium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

4:00pm - The Universe in a Grain of Sand

A meditation by the award-winning filmmaker/physicist Mark Levinson (Particle Fever) on how we make sense of the world. Juxtaposing scientific developments with the works of over forty artists, the visually rich film explores how both scientists and artists use their understanding of nature to create new tools and representations to probe the deepest mysteries of the universe.

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

5:30pm - Stop-Motion and the Path to Television

This discussion will delve into how stop-motion has found its place in the fast-evolving TV landscape, and in the process, is breaking boundaries in both narrative and technical innovation. Panelists will share their experiences navigating the complexities of stop-motion, from the meticulous artistry involved to its seamless integration with live-action. Whether you love all things stop motion or are a creator curious about the intersection of animation and television, this panel offers valuable insights into the cutting-edge world of stop-motion on the small screen.

Panelists have worked on shows including "In the Know," "The Tiny Chef Series," "Severance," "Tumble Leaf," and "The Mandalorian."

Panelists:

Michael Granberry
Paul Hollingsworth
Melanie Coombs
Rob Shaw
Tom Gibbons
Peter Issac Alexander (moderator)

6:00pm - Bite-Sized Stories: Short Films and Animations about Food

These stories might be “bite-sized” but they pack a lot of flavors! Join us for Bite-Sized Stories and you’ll venture into the kitchens of brilliant chefs and to quirky adventures of animated food. Celebrate the vibrant and evolving world of food that serves up heaping spoonfuls of inspiration. Whether it's a love letter to a favorite dish, a deep dive into culinary culture, or a hilarious take on food’s place in our lives, these shorts are a feast for the senses.

I Took My Avocado to Aspen, Colorado
Cuisine Dream
Jus d'orange
Legend of Fry-Roti: Rise of the Dough
Mother of Portland
Dips Fake
Forever Friends
Rebecca Sue Banana
Trumpet Gumbo
The Apricot

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

6:00pm - Sunburnt Unicorn

Lost in an endless desert, an injured teenager adopts the identity of a mythical unicorn to survive surreal encounters and rescue his father from the Cactus King.

Location: Theory Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

7:00pm - Beyond the Basics: Crowdfunding Secrets and Strategies for 2025

Crowdfunding can be a gamechanger for creatives, but are you ready to take your crowdfunding game to the next level? This panel features a group of filmmakers who’ve successfully navigated the ever-evolving crowdfunding landscape. Our panelists will provide attendees with a range of tried-and-true strategies, creative tactics, and insider tips that go beyond the mere basics of launching a campaign. From building a dedicated community to crafting compelling rewards and telling a story that sells, you’ll learn what it takes to run a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2025. Whether you're gearing up for your first campaign or aiming to fine-tune your approach, this panel can help you chart your course forward.

Panelists

Barret O'Brien
Dawnie Marie
Kevin Truong
Marisa Cohen (moderator)

8:00pm - Zombified! A Collection of Undead Tales

So you think you have zombies all figured out? Zombified! A Collection of Undead Tales takes the world of zombies and, well, reanimates it! Join us for Zombified! and we’ll turn your concept of zombies on its head. These animated shorts explore the world of zombies in sometimes amusing, sometimes unsettling, and always inventive ways. Skip the zombie tropes and take a slow, uncoordinated walk on the zombie wild side!

Zombie Safari - We Will Be Animals
Mindless Idiots
Autophagy
Next Show in 90 Minutes
Tiny Little Journey

Location: The Empirical Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

8:00pm - You Are Not Alone

This sci-fi romantic comedy follows Leo, a lonely, anxious pizza delivery guy who stumbles upon John, a mysterious taxi driver seeking lonesome souls. This encounter disrupts Leo's blossoming romance with Rita, a young woman he’s falling in love with. A film that had its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, You Are Not Alone explores the themes of loneliness, alienation and the search for connection.

Location: Theory Theater OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

9:00pm - PFCAT "Big Night" Party, Sponsored by Central Eastside PDX

Sponsored by Central Eastside PDX
The Big Night Party is a fun way to kick off the final stretch of the festival. We’re heading to Wayfinder Beer, a favorite spot on the Central Eastside, where the indoor space flows seamlessly into a spacious outdoor patio. It’s perfect for a laid-back night of building festival memories.

Enjoy a selection of Wayfinder’s craft brews and grab a bite from a spread of appetizers, all included with your ticket. Wayfinder is the perfect spot to hang out, meet PFCAT filmmakers and animators, and connect with fellow festival-goers. Let’s make it a night to remember before the festival closes on Sunday.

Admission 21+.

Location: Wayfinder 304 SE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97214

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