PORT TOWNSEND — The fifth annual Port Townsend Film Festival today through Sunday features a number of family fun events.
And at a price that’s always nice for a family — free.
The no-cost deal is bettered by live music performed all day on Taylor Street.
This year, three movies will play at 7:30 p.m. at the downtown Taylor Street outdoor straw bale theater.
They are Spanish-language film “El Carro (The Car),” which screens tonight; the 3-D classic “It Came From Outer Space” runs Saturday; and The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” will be “workin’ like a dog” Sunday.
While straw bales will be available until they fill up, outdoor moviegoers are encouraged to bring whatever seating or reclining furniture they prefer, from a La-Z-Boy to an air mattress.
Blankets or warm clothes are also a wise choice to withstand whatever elements may come.
As if that wasn’t enough, each outdoor movie is followed by contests.
Joey Pipia, outdoor film event director and master of ceremonies, said, “People should know that no one ever loses.”
The annual trivia contest comes tonight after “El Carro,” at which three moviegoers are picked at random to answer questions about what they just saw.
Pipia said Saturday night’s space odyssey will be followed by a 3-D glasses contest. Participants will be those with specially marked 3-D glasses.
To win, says Pipia, “All they have to do is wear their glasses and look cool.”
The audience picks the winner.
What Beatlemania movie at the film fest would be any fun without a Beatles costume contest?
Come dressed as a Beatle, or two, three or the entire Fab Four. Best dressed in Beatletown will be judged by the audience on Sunday.
“That’s living a dream,” says Pipia. “Who wouldn’t want to be a Beatle.”
Special emphasis is encouraged on The Beatles’ “Hard Days Night” period, says Pipia.
Other free attractions running throughout the event are the Drop-In Theatre and “Hollywood Classic Portraits Exhibit.”
A new venue to the festival, Digital Port Townsend’s Drop-In Theatre at 215 Taylor St. offers a casual 20-seat stop to see films of varying lengths and differing topics while waiting for other films to begin.
It is a screening room with an 8-foot screen and some standing room.
Exhibited at the Silverwater Cafe, 237 Taylor St., the black-and-white portraits of glamorous 1920s and ’30s stars were curated by Richard Miller and Irma Millard from the extensive collection of Sequim resident Bruce Paddock.
Festival Executive Director Peter Simpson says the Postal Service’s release today of a Garbo stamp coincides with the event, and he says it is likely to sell out here and nationwide.
And for those enamored with Debra Winger and “An Officer and A Gentleman,” her 1982 movie filmed in the Port Townsend area, a free tour of sites featured in the flick can be had by following the map that appears in the Friday/Saturday PDN, available on newsstands throughout the North Olympic Peninsula.
In addition, “O&G” fans can visit Fort Worden State Park’s headquarters, where there is information about the movie’s filming at that site.