PFCAT photo by Rachel Hadiashar
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) —A six-day celebration of independent film, animation and emerging technology is returning to OMSI this summer as the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology runs Aug. 18-23, 2026, with tickets now on sale.
Organizers say the festival will feature exclusive screenings, filmmaker Q&As, an interactive expo and immersive experiences focused on the future of storytelling. Planned events include VR experiences, dome screenings in the Kendall Planetarium and showcases of emerging technologies.
More information about the festival, including trailers and details about individual films and shorts, is available atpdxfestofcinema.com.
The Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology was founded in 2002 with a mission to find visionary films that often have been overlooked. Formerly known as The International Festival of Cinema & Technology, the festival rebranded in 2022 to reflect its new home in Portland.
Since its founding, the festival has held 37 events around the globe, with past events in 16 cities across six countries: Australia, Canada, France, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S. Organizers say the festival has taken place in 21 venues and has screened more than 1,500 films, including hundreds of world premieres or regional premieres.
Over the years, hundreds of filmmakers have attended, and hundreds of judges have helped select award winners. Organizers also credit the festival with several technological firsts, including being the first filmless and tapeless film festival.
ARC PDX spoke with Peter Isaac Alexander, executive producer for PFCAT, and Director Marisa Cohen. Watch the interview below:
A six-day celebration of independent film, animation and emerging technology is returning to OMSI this summer as the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology runs Aug. 18-23, 2026, with tickets now on sale.
