Thousands of volunteer hours, hundreds of tickets sold, dozens of films screened—the year long work put in to bring the festival to life was worth it. The second annual Friday Harbor Film Festival was a hit.

Over the weekend, the town buzzed with festival-goers. Ticket sales were up, venues had to turn people away from certain screenings, and many films earned the highest possible ratings in the audiences’ vote for favorites.

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce reported a surge of walk-ins, as many as 75, at its visitor center throughout the weekend. At this time of year, numbers usually dwindle to the teens at the chamber office, chamber Director Tom Kirschner said.

According to festival co-organizer Karen Palmer, ticket sales were up by 35-50 percent from a year ago.

“The reviews are glowing,” Palmer said. “The community is so proud and supportive. The festival was a wonderful representation of Friday Harbor.”

Speaking of support, festival organizers announced a new and very generous endowment. A local contributor promised to sponsor tickets for local middle and high school students for next year’s festival.

The Young Filmmakers Project saw films submitted by students from the San Juans and Anacortes. Films ranged from music videos to tear-jerking narratives. The winning film in the Young Filmmakers category is a documentary by Spring Street International School students Pear Black, Max Kessler, and Conrad Bormann. “Searching for Green” chronicled the students traveling to island destinations sans fossil fuels, to interview people living in alternative-energy powered homes.

“The Young Filmmakers Project was a real focus for us,” Palmer said. “We want to continue it each year and have it grow.”

The Audience Choice Award went to “Return of the River,” a documentary about the many forces behind the dismantling of the Elwha Dam, taken down with the hope of restoring the river’s once prolific salmon runs. The film also received the “People’s Choice” award.

The award for “Best Short” film went to “Unknown Sea,” a journey into the Salish Sea filmed aboard the S/V Orion. The Tales of the Heart Award went to “Shark Girl,” the story of a young Australian girl determined to save sharks that are vanishing from the Great Barrier Reef. “The Barefoot Bandit Documentary” was voted best film in the “Adventurers and Explorers” category, and “Damnation” was awarded worthwhile of “Things to Consider.”

The festival’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed to family members of the late filmmaker and islander Andrew McLaglen.

For another chance to see one of the sold-out films, “Red Sky in Mourning,” the harrowing survival at sea story of Tami Ashcroft, the Grange Hall will screen the film Nov. 14, 7 p.m. The “Volunteer Bash,” for all those that donated time to help the festival come together, is Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.