About PFCAT

Founded in 2002, the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology (PFCAT) is  one of the country’s leading showcases for animated short films and animated features. The festival averages over 130 animated features and shorts per year as well its line-up of visionary live action films. In the last four years alone, the festival has hosted dozens of animation panels and keynotes including representatives from LAIKA, ShadowMachine and many other notable organizations. 

PFCAT is an annual, juried festival dedicated to discovering and celebrating visionary filmmakers, with a particular emphasis on innovative approaches to visual storytelling. We believe independent cinema deserves attentive audiences, professional presentation, meaningful discussion, and opportunities for long-term discovery.

Formerly known as the International Festival of Cinema & Technology, PFCAT adopted its current name in 2022 to reflect its permanent home in Portland, Oregon. Today, the festival takes place at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), where audiences experience public theatrical screenings, filmmaker presentations, panels, networking events, special programs, and animation-focused programming.

A National Home for Animation

Animation has been central to PFCAT’s identity and programming for more than two decades. As one of the largest animation-focused film festivals in North America, PFCAT presents an extensive program of animated short films, animated features, and animation-related work from established and emerging filmmakers.

The festival’s animation program includes:

• Traditional and hand-drawn animation
• Stop-motion animation
• 2D and 3D computer animation
• Experimental and abstract animation
• Mixed-media and hybrid animation
• Student and independent animated films
• Films incorporating emerging technologies and unconventional techniques

Films are selected for the quality and distinctiveness of their storytelling,design, animation quality, sound design, craftsmanship, and overall cinematic achievement.

While PFCAT embraces new technologies, technology is not required for selection. The festival’s goal is to represent the full range of contemporary animation and cinema and to provide a platform for filmmakers working in both traditional and emerging forms.

Competitive Animated Short Film Program

PFCAT’s program is selected through a structured, formal review process designed to identify compelling films and distinctive creative voices. Submitted works are evaluated for artistic achievement, storytelling, originality, execution, cinematic merit and overall contribution to the festival program. Selected films are screened publicly inperson during the festival and are eligible for consideration by the festival jury.

Festival awards are determined by a qualified jury of filmmakers, artists, educators, and entertainment-industry professionals. Over the years, PFCAT jurors have included Academy Award and Emmy Award nominees and winners, as well as professionals whose work has appeared across major studios, networks, streaming platforms, and independent productions. Please visit our jury page to learn more about this year’s jurors.

PFCAT is committed to maintaining a fair, independent, and clearly communicated process for filmmakers, jurors, and audiences.

Public Exhibition and Filmmaker Engagement

PFCAT’s selected films are presented to public audiences through scheduled, in-person screenings at professional exhibition venues. PFCAT is committed to giving filmmakers a meaningful exhibition experience. In addition to screenings, the festival offers opportunities for filmmakers to engage with audiences, jurors, educators, industry professionals, and fellow artists through:

• Filmmaker Q&As
• Panel discussions
• Artist presentations
• Master classes and special programs
• Receptions and networking events
• Animation and technology showcases

A History of Supporting Innovative Filmmakers

Since its founding, PFCAT and its predecessor festival have presented more than 2,500 films, including hundreds of world and regional premieres. Before rebranding and selecting Portland as its home base, the festival has held events in 16 cities across six countries and has welcomed filmmakers, jurors, educators, and industry professionals from around the world.

PFCAT’s scale is matched by the breadth of its programming. Most of PFCAT’s screening are dedicated to animation but a sizable block of screening slots of reserved for films that serve to showcase both the very best of cinema and novel use of technology. In regards to animation, the festival presents animation for general audiences, animation professionals, students, educators, families, and dedicated enthusiasts. Its programs includeindependent shorts, student films, experimental works, stop-motion productions, computer animation, mixed-mediafilms, and technologically innovative projects.

By presenting a large and diverse annual animation program, PFCAT creates meaningful exposure for filmmakers at every stage of their careers. The festival is particularly committed to providing emerging animators with aprofessional venue in which their work can be seen, evaluated, and discussed alongside films by established artists.

Our Mission

PFCAT exists to connect audiences with bold, imaginative cinema and to give filmmakers a respected platform for their work.  PFCAT is committed to advancing the art of animation and expanding public appreciation for visionary filmmaking in all its forms. 

PFCAT at a Glance

• Founded in 2002
• One of the largest animation-focused film festivals in North America
• Annual festival held at OMSI, voted the U.S.’s Top Science Museum
• Extensive annual program of live action films
• International submissions and programming
• Public, in-person theatrical screenings
• Independent jury of qualified industry professionals
• presentations, and networking events