Arts & Entertainment Community

Film Festival packs ’em in again

Posted on October 8th, 2025 By: Gig Harbor Now Staff

The 2025 Gig Harbor Film Festival exceeded attendance from last year, which was a huge jump from 2023.

Film Festival Executive Director Pamela Holt said that many guests “said it was our best fest yet.” She cited the attendance and participation of Bob Mackie, the subject of one of the headline films of the festival, “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion.”

Mackie, a famous Hollywood costume designer and fashion designer, attended with producer Joe McFate.

“They really engaged with our audience and local community the whole weekend,” Holt wrote in an email to Gig Harbor Now.

Joe McFate, left, and Bob Mackie attend a screening of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion.” Photo by Angie Mitchell

Award winners at the Sept. 25 through 28 festival include:

Best Narrative Short Film

“The Ice Cream Man,” directed by Robert Moniot, about an ice cream shop owner in the Netherlands shortly after the Nazi invasion during World War II.

Best Documentary Short Film

“Ten Times Better,” directed by Jennifer Rita Lin, about a pioneering Chinese-American dancer.

Best Washington Made

“You Mean The World To Me,” directed by William Morgan, about two brothers watching their favorite childhood movie before one leaves to attend an elite academy.

Best Director

John Gray, “A Guest in My Country,” about an immigrant Uber driver taking an upscale couple across town.

Best Actor

Bella Zoe Martinez, “Once More, Like Rain Man,” a day in the life of an autistic actress.

Best Narrative Feature Film

“The Travel Companion,” directed by Travis Wood and Alex Mallis. “A documentary filmmaker depends on his friend’s airline employee benefits for free flights. When the friend finds a girlfriend, he desperately tries to preserve his travel privileges.”

Inspirational Award and Best Documentary Feature Film

“Climbing Into Life,” directed by Melissa J. Davey, about the oldest woman to ascend El Capitan in Yosemite.

Founder Award

“Zzaslow K-427,” directed by Robert Ham, about the longest-tenured bomb-sniffing dog to ever serve in the U.S. Army. Founder Award nominees inspire hope and action and remind us of the persistent good of humankind.

Board Award

“Makers on the Tide,” directed by Mick Flaaen and Michael Sean Sullivan, about the Willits Canoe Co.

Partner of the Year Award

Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor

The Galaxy Theatre at Uptown during the 2025 Gig Harbor Film Festival. Photo by Angie Mitchell