Back and in person, the Friday Harbor Film Festival is bringing back all the fan favorites, including the Opening Gala, Friday, Oct. 21, a filmmakers’ forum, spotlighting young filmmakers, closing with the Audience Choice awards Sunday, Oct. 23.

“It’s all about the filmmakers which is why we spend so much time getting them here. Documentary filmmakers don’t always get the attention they deserve,” executive director Karen Palmer said. For those that can’t make it, or feel more comfortable watching from home, an online on-demand festival will be available from Oct. 24-30.

“For the first time, we have internet connection in all our venues to be able to Zoom filmmakers who could not be in attendance,” Palmer said. These question-and-answer periods at the end of each film will be recorded and shown on the pay-by-demand option of the festival. Palmer credits the support of Rock Island, who set up the connection throughout the venues.

“This technology will bring a festival flare to watch it online, rather than watching a Netflix movie,” Palmer explained.

The festival is housing 25 filmmakers so they can be in attendance, and answer questions after their films showing. Local hotels and bed and breakfasts have stepped up to help. The Filmmakers Forum takes place takes place Sunday, Oct. 23 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Brickworks.

During the opening Gala, Orcas Islander Robert Dash will be presented with the Local Hero Award for his work photographing micro textures and patterns of micro nature. His current traveling exhibition “Food for Thought/ MIcro Views of Sustenance: Threats and Prospects premiered at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art in 2019, and has traveled to the Stamford Art Museum in Stamford Connecticut, and the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. The exhibit highlights ecological restoration through regenerative agriculture.

The Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement Award this year will go to Sidewinder Films. Co-founders Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich envisioned a production company that created groundbreaking films with lasting impact. The mission is to “inspire and empower audiences through untold stories to make a lasting positive impact” FHFF wrote, detailing the award. Their film “Waterman” directed by Isaac Halasima, will be presented at the Gala. The film follows the journey and the legacy, of Native Hawaiian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku the undisputed father of modern-day surfing.

“He is a surfing legend and American hero,” Palmer said. “His personal doctrine of Aloha is what we are celebrating.” Aloha, she continued, means diversity and acceptance in each individual’s life.

Palmer is also thrilled to be showing “Watson,” an independent film about Captian Paul Watson, a co-founder of Green Peace, and founder of Sea Shepherd. He will be attending the event and officially launching his next project, the Paul Watson Foundation, according to Palmer.

Supporting students and showcasing young filmmakers has been a part of the Friday Harbor Film Festival from its early days. Thanks to a grant from Suzy Wakefield, students will once again be able to attend the festival for free. There are plenty of documentaries youth may find interesting, focusing on adventure and exploration; “Alaskan Nets,” for example tells the story of cousins Danny Marsden and DJ King, high school basketball stars in the Alaskan Tsimshian Native American reserve of Metlakatla. The cousins lead their team toward their first state championship.

“It’s really a fun heartwarming film,” Palmer said, explaining how the documentary shows how the whole town came together to support and cheer on the team.

“The Hunt for Planet B,” directed by Nathaniel Kahn captures the high-stakes launching of NASA’s Webb Telescope. This film also tells the story of pioneering women scientists and takes a look at the imperiled planet Earth with new eyes.

Young filmmakers will be awarded in two categories. The Best Student film ages 13-17, and the Best Student Short Film ages 18-26. The films, Palmer explained were not listed in the catalog because the deadline for submission was after the production of the catalog. The winners will be decided by the audience.

“Have you ever wanted to climb a mountain, learn to surf, devote your life to saving orcas and salmon, run with the wolves, or be an amazing artist? Now is your opportunity to do these vicariously through exciting documentary films,” the festival staff wrote in their press release.

“I am so excited for all these films,” Palmer said.

To buy tickets, or learn more about the Friday Harbor Film Festival visit FHFF.org.