The Pacific Islands Research Institute and Telluride Mountain Film have joined forces to present Friday Harbor’s first annual Film Festival.

The Festival, Oct. 11-13, will feature award-winning documentaries that explore the diversity of the Pacific Rim,  from island cultures to the marine environment, and spotlighting one of the largest features on the globe: the Pacific Ocean. Directors and producers will be on hand to introduce their films, offer film-making workshops and to mingle with film-goers.

The three-day festival kicks off with an opening for producers, directors, sponsors and “Captain” ticket holders, and culminates Sunday with a “wrap-up party” and airing of the festival’s “People’s Choice Award”; films will be shown at San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier and Gubelman theaters, and the Grange Hall

Film-goers can select from three different ticket levels: Deckhand – day pass; Fisherman – entrance to all films and Sunday wrap-up party; Captain – sponsorship level includes entrance to all films, opening festivities and wrap-up party.

Spearheaded by Lynn Danaher, co-founder of the Pacific Islands Research Institute, the festival features Telluride’s “traveling film festival”, a pre-coordinated assemblage of more than 500 films to chose from. Visit http://www.fhfilmfest.com/ for a look at the type of documentaries the festival will show. The festival, which to date has received $10,000 in cash commitments $12,000 of in-kind contributions, is seeking board members part-time staff and volunteers.

Direct inquires about sponsorship and positions  to Danaher, at fhff2013@gmail.com., or 360-298-1939. For more info, visit Friday Harbor Film Festival on Facebook.