Aspiring filmmakers from Southwest Washington and Oregon gathered Saturday, September 20th at the Center for Native Arts + Cultures for hands-on movie-making experience through the Portland Film Festival’s Future Filmmakers program. Many participants drove up from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to join the day-long workshop.
Aspiring filmmakers from Southwest Washington and Oregon gathered Saturday, September 20th at the Center for Native Arts + Cultures for hands-on movie-making experience through the Portland Film Festival’s Future Filmmakers program. Many participants drove up from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to join the day-long workshop.
This marks the first year that the Portland Film Festival and the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation collaborated to bring more film education to indigenous youth throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. The class was open to any youth wanting to learn filmmaking.
Now in its eighth year, the free program continues the Festival’s commitment to accessible film education.
Working alongside professional Portland filmmakers, participants dove into every aspect of production—from developing scripts and concepts to operating cameras, recording sound, and acting in their own short films.
“Our program is open to all youth, and we make it a point to give accessibility and access to anyone interested in learning about filmmaking,” said Josh Leake, founder of Future Filmmakers and Executive Director of the Portland Film Festival. Several participants, including students with disabilities, called the experience “amazing.”
The Festival has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Portland and Comcast for eight years, bringing film education to young people throughout the Portland metro area.
The films created during the workshop will screen on Saturday, October 5th at 11:45am at the Center for Native Arts + Cultures during the 2025 Portland Film Festival. Tickets will go on sale September 25th.
Photos by Deneb Catalan. Nebcat.com
