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:

August 6, 2025

5:30pm - Light, Time & Cosmic Wonders - Dome Films

Get ready for a ride through color, time, and space in this playful collection of dome adventures made just for kids and families! Dive into a rainbow-filled world in Our Colorful World, blast to the past with Captain Bani and her crew in Cosmonaute 360: Time to Fly, and soar to the Moon with a restless, and rather wacky hen in Total Eclipse: Chasers of Lost Sleep. With plenty of laughs, surprises, and eye-popping visuals, Light, Time & Cosmic Wonders is a fun and imaginative journey perfect for curious young minds and the grown-ups who come along for the ride. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

5:30pm 
Cosmonaute 360 - Time to Fly
Our Colorful World
Total Eclipse: Chasers of Lost Sleep

Location: Kendall Planetarium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

6:00pm - Mind-Bending Anomalies: The PFCAT Sci-Fi Extravaganza

Science fiction is about what is over the horizon. But science fiction is also about what it will mean to be human once we’ve crossed that horizon. Oh yeah, and sci-fi can just be about blowing stuff up on crazy alien worlds too! PFCAT’s 2025 presentation of Mind-Bending Anomalies will take you to alternative histories, alien worlds, animated wonderlands, the AI apocalypse, disruptions in space and the mysteries of the future.

6:00pm
Help Me Tom
Kitty and the Viper
Alienated!
Running Out on a Feeling music video
Aura
RIPPER WAS HERE
The Intention Invention
Bippy the Little Robot
113 Words for You Today

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

7:00pm - Resolution: A Cinephonic Rhapsody for the Soul

7:00pm - White birds worship the phoenix

Location: Kendall Planetarium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

8:00pm - A Rare Grand Alignment

In the winter of 1982, three American boys find themselves stranded in a cable car with a dead body, suspended midair in the mountains of Norway during a rare celestial event. The film’s gripping visuals were brought to life almost entirely using cutting-edge virtual production inside an LED Volume.

This film stars Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), Felix Jamieson (Raised by Wolves), Charlie Price (The Great) and Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones)

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

8:30pm - Psychological Horror Short Films and Animations

Enter a world where reality is fragile, and the mind is a labyrinth of delusion and dark secrets. With these films and animations, the terror is not just found lurking in the shadows, but also in the unpredictable workings of the human psyche. Each film in this chilling collection explores the deep recesses of the mind, where the lines between truth and imagination are easily blurred, and the greatest threat is the unraveling of one’s own sanity.

8:30pm
Deformed
Crazy as a Loon
Gardening
Agoraphobia
LAIKA; An Animated Short Film
Rash
Teddy
Sister

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

August 7, 2025

6:00pm - Stop-Motion Showcase

Step into a kaleidoscope of meticulously crafted realities! From whimsical clay creatures to intricately animated objects,  Stop-Motion Showcase spans a dazzling range of techniques and tones ranging from the playful to the profound. Whether exploring the quiet rhythms of nature, diving into surreal visual experiments, or delivering humor, each short offers a unique perspective shaped by hands, frame by frame. This international selection of stop-motion gems highlights the range and versatility of this captivating medium.

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

6:00pm - Motherland

In an alternate present society where the state frees parents from the burden of raising children, a rule enforcer learns a shocking truth that sparks her rebellion.

This film stars Miriam Silverman (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Holland Taylor (The Morning Show, Romancing the Stone) and Nestor Carbonell (Lost, The Dark Knight).

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

8:00pm - PFCAT Kickoff Party, Sponsored by Portland Events and Film Office and Oregon Film Office

Sponsored by Portland Events and Film Office and Oregon Film Office

Join us for an evening of music, drinks, and appetizers as we launch the festival in style at Jupiter Next! This is the perfect way to dive into the festival spirit and set the tone for the incredible films and experiences ahead.

Admission for 21+

Location: Jupiter Next 900 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

August 8, 2025

6:00pm - Crafting Stories: Mark Roberts and Jon Raymond

Join two accomplished storytellers, Mark Roberts, whose work spans the stage to screen with credits including Mike and Molly, Two and a Half Men, as well as his acclaimed plays, and Jon Raymond, known for his novels, teleplays and screenplays including Mildred Pierce,Meek’s Cutoff and Wendy and Lucy, for an in-depth conversation on the art of crafting stories for both screen and stage. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned storyteller, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore the creative process behind some of television’s most memorable characters, as well as the world of theater.

There is no admission charge for this event. Please note: This talk will be held at Literary Arts, located at 716 SE Grand.

Location: Literary Arts 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

6:00pm - Animated Realities

This vibrant animated short film sequence brings true (and truth-inspired) stories to life through animation, ranging from puppetry and hand-drawn frames to rotoscoping. Some stories are rooted in personal memory, others inspired by history or family lore. Blending fact with imagination, Animated Realities reveals how truth can take many animated forms. 

Have I Swallowed Your Dreams
Whose Woods are These
Jet Lag
The Stars, and All the Planets and the Moon
Kindness Town
Impossible Journey
Witness: An Organima Film
Sea of Strangers
Flocky
Will You ..?
Splash Back
Matilda and the Brave Escape

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

6:00pm - Documentary Shorts: Real Stories, Rewired

From intimate relationships with AI to inventive makers and unsolved mysteries in Portland, these documentary shorts explore how technology, creativity, and community shape our lives. Take a wide-ranging look at the real and the surreal in the world around us.

On Dying of Dementia in a Capitalist System
You and I and AI
Sparking Creativity: GalaxSea
Sparking Creativity: Migrations
Help Solve a Murder
The Art Side of the Moon
The Wild History of Willamette Falls

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

8:00pm - Midnight at 8pm

It’s back by popular demand in 2025! Our anything-goes late-night lineup is all the craziness of a late-night screening—just a little earlier. These unruly shorts dive headfirst into sex, violence, absurdity, and chaos. Equal parts outrageous and hilarious, Midnight at 8pm is not for the faint of heart… and that’s the fun of it.

Location: The Empirical Theater 

August 9, 2025

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

August 10, 2025

12:00pm - Magic Beach & Hadu

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

12:00pm - Animated Explorations

Viewers of all ages are invited to explore the connections between nature and music. Through imaginative storytelling and vibrant visuals, these films highlight discovery of animals and the environment, with an underlying appreciation of the rhythms of the natural world. With thoughtful themes and engaging animation, Animated Explorations offers something for those who love meaningful and creative stories.

Seal Lullaby
Away We Go - Ants Ants Ants & Alphabet Rockers
Out of Tune (Désaccordé)
Trumpet Voice
Bound
Tin Tune
Tag, You're It!
Melody's Muse
Freshwater
Wódr
Jasmine
This Darling Miserable Life
Blu's

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

1:00pm - Botjoy Making Workshop 2

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.

Included with admission to Epic Stories: Journey to Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

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

2:00pm - Code the Road

“Code the Road” is a documentary that follows a diverse group of university students from Italy, Germany, the United States, and other countries as they undertake an ambitious challenge: coding an AI racecar driver. “Code the Road” offers a glimpse into the world of autonomous vehicles - showing the insurmountable challenges that industry has faced to get self-driving vehicles on the road.

The students in this film have fewer resources, are far less experienced, and are undertaking that very same challenge. Between captivating race sequences, the students overcome complex technical and engineering hurdles. Their journey serves as a testament to the power of teamwork and the human spirit, reminding us that with dedication and determination, seemingly impossible goals can be reached.

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

2:00PM - Epic Stories: A Journey into Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Epic Stories: A Journey into Sci-Fi & Fantasy features animations and live-action shorts. Filled with adventurous characters, inventive worlds, and compelling stories, this program will engage both younger audiences and adults alike. Whether you’re a fan of futuristic ideas or magical tales, Epic Stories offers a captivating experience packed with moments of imagination and adventure.

Treasure Imagination
Chad
An Old Friend
The Other Space
A Guest from Elsewhere
Lost Track
Night of the Living Fish
Ümit

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

4PM - Virtual Reality Showcase at 4pm

Enter the PFCAT VR Zone and be among the first to see today’s leading works from indie filmmakers. We provide all the gear you need to dive into a diverse array of projects ranging from vibrant animations and insightful documentaries to immersive stories. If you’ve never experienced what true VR can do, now is your chance.

Diatribes
Ruby Singh's Vox.Infold II: Mojuba
Gihan
The Golden Thread

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

4:00pm - Magical Realism: Journeys into Other Worlds

Step into worlds where the everyday blends with the extraordinary, and magic lingers just beyond the surface of reality. Join us as we venture into unforgettable worlds where imagination reigns. From a professor trying to inspire his daughter with fairy tales to a street artist’s magical connection with a stone statue, these films explore the boundless possibilities of fantasy, magic, and the connections that shape our lives.

Margaret the Brave
Controlling the Narrative
Dominant.
The Day We Flew
Dragfox
Hearts of Stone

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

5:15pm - Stories Across Time and Space

Stories Across Time and Space offers three family friendly adventures through the stars, imagination, and cultural wonder! Join the daring Great Schiaparelli in The Great Solar System Adventure for a wild ride across the solar system like you’ve never seen it before, travel through science and storytelling with a curious young explorer in Niyah and the Multiverse, and take a dreamy flight through desert landscapes and poetry in Queen of the Mountains. This trio of dome films invites kids and families to ponder the universe through bold adventures, big questions, and voices from around the world. Recommended for ages 8+. 

Niyah and the Multiverse
Queen of the Mountains
The Great Solar System Adventure

Location: Kendall Planetarium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

5:30pm - Virtual Reality Showcase at 5:30pm

The Golden Thread
Diatribes
Ruby Singh's Vox.Infold II: Mojuba
Gihan

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

6:00pm - PFCAT Comedy Showcase

PFCAT’s Comedy Showcase lands squarely at the intersection of where the absurd meets the everyday. You’ll find this eclectic mix of animated and live-action comedic shorts tackles everything from the life of a guard watching over the world’s rarest Ferrari collection to the chaotic, sleep-deprived reality of navigating motherhood in a world gone mad. Throw in some tech fails, modern woes, and you've got a showcase that celebrates the humor in life’s unexpected moments.

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

6:00pm - Universal

A weekend break for a couple of academics is interrupted by a woman who won’t take no for an answer, as she seeks their help with the “biggest discovery in history.” Universal is a down-to-earth film about huge out-of-this-world concepts.

This film stars Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat, The Festival), Kelley Mack (The Walking Dead, Broadcast Signal Intrusion) and Rosa Robson (Extraordinary, Buffering)

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

6:30pm - Celestial Bodies: Music, Motion & the Shape of the Universe

This sweeping dome film collection brings together artists, dancers, musicians, and cosmic storytellers to explore our connections to the universe. From the choreography of stars and galaxies to contemporary dance, Celestial Bodies invites audiences into a sensory dialogue between the earth and the sky. Featuring immersive works from around the globe, this program traces the poetic intersections of art and science, vision and vibration, bodies and the cosmos.

Destin
Break to Build: Dome
Entropy - Track 1: "Blue Deep"
Rhythms
Machine Visions: Mojave
The Circle: Chapter One
Elements of Air
STRATUM

Location: Kendall Planetarium OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

7:00pm - Virtual Reality Showcase

Enter the PFCAT VR Zone and be among the first to see today’s leading works from indie filmmakers. We provide all the gear you need to dive into a diverse array of projects ranging from vibrant animations and insightful documentaries to immersive stories. If you’ve never experienced what true VR can do, now is your chance.

This showcase is open to kids ages 10+, as the festival will be clearly indicating the films that are family friendly. However, some films in the showcase do contain scary images.

Diatribes
The Golden Thread
Gihan
Ruby Singh's Vox.Infold II: Mojuba

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

8:00pm - PFCAT Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony

Come celebrate the end of the 2025 festival at this special event with a red carpet, music, photographer, drinks, and appetizers.

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

Date: August 6 - 10, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Portland, OR

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