> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Local Voices Program Review: Shining a Spotlight on Western Washington at the Port Townsend Film Festival
- URL: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/local-voices-program-review-shining-a-spotlight-on-western-washington-at-the-port-townsend-film-festival/
- Published: 2026-09-29T22:38:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-29T22:38:55.000Z
- Description: Catch more films of talented local filmmakers through October 4 with PTFF’s Virtual Fest.
- Author: Meriden Vitale
- Tags: Arts & Culture, Port Townsend Film Festival, PTFF, Local Voices Shorts, Movie review, virtual film fest, Meriden Vitale

The Local Voices Shorts program at the Port Townsend Film Festival showcases filmmakers from western Washington, and this year’s selections did not disappoint—a truly eclectic mix of touching films; it’s special for a film festival that brings in talent from across the US and around the world to make space to highlight its home turf. And it’s even cooler that you can still catch these films, in addition to select narrative features and documentaries, as part of the virtual film fest, which runs through October 4\. 

While not the same as gathering in a theater full of eager festival attendees, the virtual fest allows those outside of Port Townsend to take part in movie magic from the comfort of their own homes. With an almost ten-month-old running my schedule, I couldn’t quite make it to the festival, but buying a virtual pass and logging in was a breeze. I made an account, selected the program I was interested in, and waited with anticipation for the virtual fest to start on Monday at 8:00 am. Despite watching on the small screen, I still felt the emotional impact of each film. As I thought about the seven shorts as a collection, I was left with a richer sense of awareness of the stories hiding in plain sight throughout Washington.

The program opens with *Fitted Sheet*, directed by Celia Beasley, a Seattle filmmaker and editor trying her hand at directing for the first time. What starts out as an innocent attempt to fold a fitted sheet becomes a descent into madness, with actor Aaron Washington’s mutterings providing much of the humor. In addition to creative sound mixing and a maddeningly cheerful internet tutorial, the film shows just how much you can accomplish with one location and a sheet.

Up next is *Patty*, a delightful animated short about a “sensitive and innocent Bigfoot” befriending a bee. The animation style pulls you in even as it confounds you. It looks like an old computer game from the future, inside a dream. The short was directed by Barbara Mones, a teaching professor at the University of Washington and director of the Reality Lab. Impressively large tree trunks offer a size comparison for our Bigfoot lead, and I was surprised at how quickly I felt her joy and sadness as the story unfolded. The fire animation and sound were particularly striking, putting an abrupt end to the best friend montage and ushering in a new emotional arc. The film is an animation research lab project and computer animation capstone and it shows—it looks made by people who know what they’re doing, experimenting with boundaries.

*Dead Crowd* has a unique concept, following a struggling comedian who performs at a funeral. There is a lot of awkward stand-up in this one, which makes the final emotional release that much more of a relief. Writer and director Ryan Benningfield initially submitted it to PTFF as a screenplay in 2025\. As a student at Olympic College, he turned to his fellow students and teachers at the OC Film School to bring the story to life, making it a truly local effort. It’s a deadpan portrayal utilizing lots of facial close-ups to highlight the humor, or lack thereof. Overall, it kept me guessing and wondering just how he was going to make it out of his funeral gig.

The last three films were documentaries. *Sound Again*, voted Best Local Short, follows Luke Criner as he makes the decision to get cochlear implants in the face of hereditary hearing loss. I learned so much in this film, directed by Carlos R. Correa. In making the decision to get cochlear implants, it means Criner loses any sense of hearing without the devices. He describes the feeling of overwhelm that came with the devices as well as the surprising way music became a bridge to a new way of hearing. Featuring loving interviews with family and teachers, the film reminded me that perception is always evolving, never fixed.

*Tougher: A Wrestling Documentary* was pulsing with energy and style. Directed by students Bryce Ryan Harbin and Benjamin Alder Green as part of their senior film project at Port Townsend High School, it focuses on three local wrestlers as they train for state competition. It was fun to see so many familiar haunts in Quilcene and Port Townsend through a documentary lens. Green and Harbin match wrestling’s grit and gravitas with lots of sweaty action shots and give their fellow students space to talk about the highs and the lows of the sport.

*So We Go On* was an apt closer. In Shoreline, WA, the owner of a community-focused climbing gym talks about the joys and perils involved in running his business. I particularly loved the shots of Andrew Hou hiking his bouldering gear into the woods, miniaturized and set in reverse. The film, directed by Jens Bracht, is a tender look at what happens when someone’s passion is at odds with their financial reality and what choices must be made as a result. 

Overall, these films worked beautifully together, giving viewers an emotional journey to follow with characters both real and imagined. I especially loved the films from the rural areas in Jefferson and surrounding Counties, where filmmaking opportunities aren’t as abundant. There is no lack of talent in our area, and it’s important it gets the festival treatment as well. I’m thankful that PTFF created this category and for the opportunity to watch virtually.

For those who want to check out the films, they can be accessed virtually on the [PTFF website.](https://ptff2026.eventive.org/Festival%5FSchedule/6a723a640f47fb0f59ed5d0c?ref=jeffcobeacon.com)