4 OMSI venues, 3 official festival parties, 1 Creator Expo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIndividual screening tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $9 for children, with a $2 discount for OMSI members. Festival All-Access Passes are $75, or $110 with admission to all three festival parties, with a $3 discount for OMSI members.<\/p>\n
Stop-motion takes center stage<\/h4>\n
Stop-motion is a major focus of the 2026 festival, with more than 30 stop-motion films including two feature-length productions. The lineup highlights Portland-based talent, including Oscar- and Annie Award-nominated director Siqi Song (She Creates Change: Dewmini<\/em>, Portland premiere) and Emmy- and Annie Award-winning filmmaker Rob Shaw (You Play Too Much<\/em>, Portland premiere), featuring voice talent Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL<\/em>).<\/p>\nLAIKA artists will share insights into the studio\u2019s acclaimed filmmaking process in a dedicated panel. A second panel, \u201cAttack of the Puppet People,\u201d brings together stop-motion artists whose credits include\u00a0Robot Chicken, The Tiny Chef Show, Wendell & Wild, The Shivering Truth, and Portlandia<\/em>, presented by Brian Capati from MOSMA alongside producer Melanie Coombs (Mary and Max, Guillermo del Toro\u2019s Pinocchio<\/em>).<\/p>\nOn Saturday, August 22, the free PFCAT Creator Expo (advance registration required) lets attendees meet stop-motion artists and view original puppets and production materials, supported by a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust and Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.<\/p>\n
Featured guests and special events<\/h4>\n
Doug Jones<\/strong>\u00a0(Pan\u2019s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Hellboy)<\/em>\u00a0attends Opening Night for the Oregon premiere of Pretty Boys, screening in the 6pm shorts block \u201cFathers Across Space and Time.\u201d Doug Jones and writer Matt Edwards will speak beforehand at 5:30pm.<\/p>\nMatthew Inman,<\/strong>\u00a0creator of The Oatmeal, gives a keynote presentation followed by the Pacific Northwest festival premiere of\u00a0My Dog: The Paradox<\/em>, an animated short based on his viral webcomic produced with Portland studio Imaginary Planet. Inman will sign posters afterward.<\/p>\nEleven-time Emmy-winning producer\u00a0Brian A. Miller\u00a0<\/strong>(Samurai Jack, Adventure Time, Star Wars: The Clone Wars<\/em>) joins a fireside conversation on his career and the evolving animation industry.Miller served in executive leadership roles at Cartoon Network Studios including Senior Vice-President and General Manager.<\/p>\nAuthors and filmmakers\u00a0Abigail Hing Wen\u00a0<\/strong>(the\u00a0Loveboat Taipei<\/em>\u00a0franchise) and\u00a0Debra Williams<\/strong>\u00a0(Church Hat<\/em>) present \u201cFrom Short Story to Screen,\u201d a panel and book signing on adapting children\u2019s literature for film. Both authors have animated films screening at this year\u2019s festival. Abigail Hing Wen\u2019s short film The Vale was co-directed by John Aoshima (Hello Kitty, Ultraman Rising).<\/em><\/p>\nThe Crown with a Shadow and The Search for Self<\/em>\u00a0is a 3D animated presentation and Oregon premiere marking\u00a0Paul Reubens<\/strong>\u2018 final on-screen performance, alongside\u00a0Geri Halliwell\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Amanda Lepore<\/strong>. Director\u00a0J.B. Singh Ghuman<\/strong>\u00a0discusses the film\u2019s exploration of identity following the screening.<\/p>\nAnimated Feature film highlights<\/h4>\n
Memory Hotel (U.S. premiere)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Directed by Heinrich Sabl, this stop-motion feature was more than 25 years in the making and has screened at Annecy and Sitges.<\/p>\nBig City Pizza (Oregon premiere)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 A Midnight Movie selection, this animated comedic feature draws on surreal storytelling traditions and has screened at the Chattanooga Film Festival and Ravenheart International Film Festival. Director Dusty Saunders will be in attendance.<\/p>\nLure of the Ponies (stop-motion feature)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 A cozy-mystery homage that premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival, showcasing handcrafted animation. Director Rebecca Underwood will be in attendance.<\/p>\nBurnerSphere (Oregon premiere)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 An immersive VR feature exploring Burning Man culture through an interactive multiplayer platform. Director Doug Jacobson will be in attendance.<\/p>\nFestival partners<\/h4>\n
PFCAT partners and sponsors include OMSI, Portland Events and Film Office, Prosper Portland, Bot Joy, Hopscotch, Oregon Film Office, Worlds Beyond VR, OXEN, and Jupiter Hotel.<\/p>\n
WHO:<\/strong>\u00a0PFCAT (Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology)<\/p>\nWHAT:<\/strong>\u00a0A six-day celebration of independent film and animation featuring exclusive screenings, filmmaker Q&As, an interactive expo, and visionary experiences that explore the future of storytelling through immersive VR, dome screenings, and emerging technologies.<\/p>\nWHY:<\/strong>\u00a0Providing a platform for audiences to discover independent films and animation that are rarely available in traditional theaters while connecting directly with filmmakers, artists, and creators.<\/p>\nWHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214<\/p>\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0August 18\u201323<\/p>\nPRICE:<\/strong>\u00a0$12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $9 for children. OMSI members receive a $2 discount. Festival passes are $75 or $110 with admission to all three festival parties, with a $3 discount for OMSI members.<\/p>\nPURCHASE TICKETS:<\/strong>\u00a0omsi.edu\/events\/pfcat<\/a><\/p>\nWHY NOW:<\/strong>\u00a0For six days only, PFCAT brings together exclusive screenings, immersive experiences, filmmaker Q&As, and interactive exhibits in one festival celebrating the future of film and animation. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged.<\/p>\nPRESS KIT\u00a0LINK:\u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0photos, guest headshots, and additional press materials
About PFCAT:\u00a0www.pdxfestofcinema.com<\/a><\/p>\n
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