Mark Your Calendars: The 14th Annual Friday Harbor Film Festival Returns October 22–25, 2026
- FHFF
- 31 minutes 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.
Early Bird Passes are on sale now through August 15 — lock in the best pricing of the year before prices go up.
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
The festival opens Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM with a special opening night film at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA), followed by a talk and Q&A with both the director and the artist featured in the film — continuing our partnership with SJIMA and setting the tone for a weekend celebrating art and story.
Friday, the festival shifts into full gear with a full slate of screenings beginning at 10 AM across our main venues — the Whittier and Gubelman theatres at San Juan Community Theatre, and the Front and Back theatres at the Palace Theatre — featuring 30+ feature documentaries and 20+ documentary shorts across three themes: Things to Consider, Explorers & Adventures, and Tales from the Heart. Friday evening brings the Gala Honoring Filmmakers, where attendees mingle with visiting filmmakers and celebrate the weekend ahead with the presentation of our Lifetime Achievement Award. Friday also features 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. And all festival passholders enjoy free admission to SJIMA all weekend long, where they can explore Convergence & Divergence: The Family Aesthetic — a rare exhibition bringing together over 100 works spanning three generations of one artistic family: photographer Imogen Cunningham, etcher Roi Partridge, and documentary photographer Rondal Partridge.
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.
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 are now open. Visit fhff.org to learn more and apply to be a Filmmaker Host.
Early Bird Passes: On Sale Now through August 15
Get the best seats — and the best prices — before anyone else. 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.
