Along the rugged coasts and bustling streets of Western WA, stories unfold; woven from memory, family, and the enduring spirit of place. This collection of short films invites you into intimate moments and urgent truths, from quiet celebrations and whispered histories to the fight for survival in changing times. Together, these films form a heartfelt portrait of a region defined by resilience, connection, and the voices of its people.

In his small PNW town, Erwin is something of a local legend, known for his charm and willingness to talk to anybody. In addition to his conversation, this 71-year-old has been catching waves longer than most folks have been walking. This short portrait reveals the unexpected joy and passionate relationship between a man and the sea.

Erwin

Across US tourist towns, a growing number of workers rely on employer-provided housing, often their only option in areas where wages lag far behind soaring rents. This story sheds light on the emotional and financial toll of living where you work, under conditions shaped by economic inequality and a fraying social safety net. Through intimate testimony and quiet observation, urgent questions are raised about dignity, autonomy, and the future of labor rights in communities built on service, and strained by survival.

Home From Work

A young girl is found sleeping on a porch by the boy who lives there. What begins as a quiet, curious encounter slowly reveals a deeper story. Told with sensitivity and visual grace, this short narrative explores a single morning shaped by uncertainty, compassion, and the quiet decisions that define us when we’re trying to do what’s best.

Morning

Owners of one of the last traditional tall-ship sail lofts in the world, the Chimenti family are renowned traditional sailmakers located on Marrowstone Island. They represent a dedication to preserving the traditional craft of sailmaking, ensuring that the necessary skills are passed down through generations.

Wings for Ships: The Chimenti Family and the Art of Sailmaking

A poignant fantasy-drama that explores the enduring bond between an imaginary friend and his child. Calvin's sole purpose is to bring joy to a child and is suprised when he is summoned to the bedside of a 90-year-old man nearing the end of his life. Blending whimsy with reflection, the film offers a tender meditation on memory, companionship, and the quiet magic that stays with us long after childhood fades.

An Old Friend

In the PNW, an orca scientist and an Indigenous leader join forces to confront a shared crisis: the intertwined decline of the region’s Southern Resident orcas and the Chinook salmon they depend on. Blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern science, this compelling short asks a crucial question - can collaboration across cultures help prevent the loss of the Northwest’s most iconic species?

Managed to Extinction

As news of Kennedy’s assassination unfolds, a seven-year-old boy tries to make sense of the grief blanketing his family and the world beyond. With only a vague understanding of who “the President” is, he observes the somber mood of his mother and grandparents. Yet life doesn’t stop entirely; his little brother’s sixth birthday arrives the next day. A tender glimpse of joy and loss colliding in one unforgettable weekend.

A Fateful Weekend

This documentary follows one youth basketball program from its meager formation in Seattle's Central District through all of its struggles and successes to earn its rightful place as one of the most prestigious youth basketball programs in America. A never before told history.

Style: A Seattle Basketball Story

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Shorts - Our Northwest

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