Mark Your Calendars: The 14th Annual Friday Harbor Film Festival Returns October 22–25, 2026
- FHFF
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
The countdown is on. Friday Harbor Film Festival (FHFF) is thrilled to announce that the 14th Annual festival will light up San Juan Island October 22–25, 2026 — an extended weekend built to entertain, inspire, and enlighten through powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and island community.
And starting Sunday, July 5, you can lock in the best pricing of the year with Early Bird Passes.
What Makes FHFF Different
Unlike most film festivals, FHFF is built around direct connection between filmmakers and audiences. Every single film is followed by a Q&A — with the attending filmmaker whenever possible, a panel of local experts when they can't be there in person, or a pre-recorded conversation filmed by FHFF Producer and Host Norris Palmer just ahead of the festival. It's this filmmaker-forward approach that keeps audiences and filmmakers coming back year after year.
"The filmmakers forum gave everyone a chance to share the background of their projects and engage in a well curated conversation about non-fiction filmmaking."— Austyn Steelman, Director, Paddles on the Water
A Weekend to Look Forward To
This year's festival will once again fill two Friday Harbor venues — the Whittier and Gubelman theatres at San Juan Community Theatre, and the Front and Back theatres at the Palace Theatre — with 30+ feature documentaries and 20+ documentary shorts across three themes: Things to Consider, Explorers & Adventures, and Tales from the Heart.
The weekend kicks off with our Opening Night Gala, where attendees mingle with visiting filmmakers ahead of a weekend of storytelling and the presentation of our Lifetime Achievement Award. Friday also brings the Young Filmmakers Showcase, spotlighting the next generation of documentary voices. Throughout the weekend, audience members rate every film they see, with winners awarded by popular vote across all three categories — plus overall Best Short and Best Feature.
Don't miss the Filmmakers Forum, a free, unticketed conversation about the craft of documentary filmmaking hosted by director Amy Herdy — it fills up fast, so arrive early. And we close out the weekend with the beloved Audience Choice Awards, where this year's winners are announced live.
The full lineup and schedule will be released September 15 — stay tuned.
Introducing the Filmmaker Host Program
New this year: FHFF is expanding filmmaker housing beyond our hotel partners by inviting island locals to open their homes. Hosts who provide qualifying lodging — an ADU, guest cottage, or separate space with a private entrance — receive two Patron Passes ($750 value) in appreciation. It's a meaningful way to support the visiting filmmakers who make FHFF what it is, while experiencing the festival at the highest level.
Don't have qualifying housing to offer but would still like to host a filmmaker and support the program? You can make a financial contribution to help cover attending filmmaker housing expenses in a local hotel, and still receive the same Patron Pass benefits in appreciation.
"What a spectacular festival. From start to finish, I have been blown away by the hospitality, the programming, and your community — both on the island and the filmmakers." — Beth Lane, Director, Unbroken
Applications for the Filmmaker Host Program open Sunday, July 5 on fhff.org. Visit fhff.org to learn more and apply to be a Filmmaker Host.
Early Bird Passes: On Sale July 5–August 15
Get the best seats — and the best prices — before anyone else. Starting Sunday, July 5, Early Bird Passes give you first access to reserved seating and real savings on the two ways to experience the whole festival.
Save up to $150 when you get your pass early:
Patron Pass — $325 (regular $375): every screening, Opening Night Gala, a shareable pass, and an exclusive reserved-seating window ahead of everyone else.
All-Access Pass — $185 (regular $225): every screening and the Gala, with early reserved-seating access.
Prefer more flexibility? 6-Pack and Day Passes join the lineup August 16, when all passes go on sale at full price.
Ready to save on passes? Explore all pass options now, then lock in Early Bird pricing starting Sunday, July 5.