The fourth annual Friday Harbor Film Festival will be held Nov. 4,5,6 on lovely San Juan Island. This popular event features three full days of quality documentaries and docu-dramas, highlighting compelling stories about humanitarian efforts, environmental issues, social concerns and daring explorations. Each film will be followed by lively discussion with the filmmaker or a local expert.

The Friday Harbor Film Festival celebrates documentary filmmakers who use their talents to create awareness, serving as a force for positive change. The Festival’s Opening Night Gala on Friday, Nov. 4, is held in their honor. Other highlights of the festival include a Filmmakers Forum on Sunday morning, Nov. 6, in which the audience can learn about the challenges of documentary filmmaking and engage the filmmakers with their questions; and a special presentation on Saturday, Nov. 5, There will be a special presentation of a selection of films by local students and young filmmakers (from as far away as France), sponsored by the Young Filmmakers Project.

The grand finale of the festival occurs on Sunday evening, November 6, at the Awards Night, during which we honor not only those whose films were considered exceptional by audience choice, but also those who have made a major contribution to our community and the art of storytelling through film. Plus, we plan to have a very special surprise guest.

During the festival’s past three years, over half of the filmmakers whose documentaries were screened came to Friday Harbor from across the globe. Our celebration of the filmmakers, as well as our focus on the conversations that their films evoke, distinguish our festival. We provide not only an opportunity to experience great stories that are told well, but also to engage with others in meaningful discussions at the conclusion of each film. In this way, we are successful in connecting the audience directly with both the stories and the festival’s core mission, which is to:

Entertain audiences through the art of compelling storytelling; Inspire audience members, as well as filmmakers, to be a force for positive change; Enlighten all participants by conveying relevant information, creating awareness and expanding appreciation of our fragile planet, diverse cultures and those daring to explore new frontiers; Encourage students to participate in the Young Filmmakers Project to learn the art of storytelling through film.

Please check out the festival’s website for this year’s exciting line-up, of films: www.fhff.org. And for information on how to get to San Juan Island or where to stay, go to www.visitsanjuans.com.

If you want more information about the Festival or have any questions, contact festival director, Lynn Danaher at fhff2013@gmail.com or 360-472-1050.