October 2025 marks the return of the Friday Harbor Film Festival, a highlight of the season and one of the most anticipated cultural events on San Juan Island. Over the course of four days in late October, visitors can enjoy a carefully curated lineup of documentaries that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. With filmmaker Q&A sessions following each screening, the Friday Harbor Film Festival offers a rare opportunity to connect directly with the creators and delve deeper into stories spanning the Pacific Rim, exploring topics of people, culture, and the environment in ways that inspire meaningful conversations.
While the film festival itself is a major draw, there are plenty more things to do on San Juan Island for travelers this fall and winter. Crisp, clear days are perfect for wildlife watching, whether you are spotting resident orcas offshore or observing bald eagles overhead. The island’s cozy shops, galleries, and local restaurants are ideal for lingering afternoons, and the slower pace of the season creates the perfect opportunity to savor it all. Winter brings even more charm, with holiday lights in Friday Harbor, seasonal markets, and a sense of quiet beauty that makes the island especially appealing for a romantic or restorative getaway.
After a full day of films or exploring the island, our top-rated Friday Harbor Hotel provides the perfect place to settle in. Recognized as one of the top-rated hotels on San Juan Island, this collection of historic accommodations offers just the right touch of island charm for every stay. Guests enjoy thoughtful amenities, gourmet breakfasts, and inviting spaces that make every stay memorable. Whether you’re here for the Friday Harbor Film Festival or simply to enjoy the best of the season, staying at our hotel is exactly what your soul needs. Book your stay today!
Don’t Miss the Upcoming Friday Harbor Film Festival
The Friday Harbor Film Festival (FHFF) is one of the premier fall events on San Juan Island, and is dedicated to showing documentaries that don’t just entertain but also inspire, enlighten, and provoke thought about the Pacific Rim and beyond. Over the years, it has built a reputation as a place where filmmakers and audiences meet in meaningful dialogue, with Q&A sessions after screenings, a Young Filmmakers Showcase that spotlights emerging voices, and community forums that explore topics from environment to culture. The heart of its mission is in the storytelling: real people, real places, real challenges made visible.
In 2025, the Friday Harbor Film Festival will take place from October 23 to 26th, marking its 13th annual edition. This year’s lineup is the biggest yet, featuring 34 feature films and 21 short films, as well as special screenings in the Young Filmmakers Showcase. You’ll also find new features, such as reserved seating and the Ambassador Program, which brings filmmakers and locals together. Venues are walkable from our Friday Harbor hotel, too, so you can move easily between theaters and event venues.
What to See at the Friday Harbor Film Festival:
- Opening Night Gala + Lifetime Achievement Award Film: The opening night always brings something special: A celebratory documentary plus recognition of a filmmaker’s career. It’s a great way to kick off the festival with a big moment.
- Filmmaker’s Forum (Saturday, October 25): A chance to see the directors, ask questions, and learn about the process behind the films. This is perfect for anyone who loves not just watching documentaries, but hearing about how they’re made.
- Young Filmmakers Showcase: This year includes two free Young Filmmaker Showcase events. If you’re interested in emerging voices (teen / young adult), this is a must.
- Costa Rica’s Surfing Paradise, an award-winning documentary about bold new moves toward conservation in a surfing paradise.
- Counting Orca, a tribute to the Southern Resident Killer Whales that frequent our waters.
- Girl Climber, a chronicling of famed climber Emily Harrington, who has summited Everest, but struggles to cement her legacy in the male-dominated world of elite rock climbing.
- Home from Work, which chronicles the growing nationwide struggle to house workers in burgeoning tourist towns.
- The Last Dive, a story that follows a Veteran-turned diver-now conservationist, Terry.
- Love + War, a breathtaking story that chronicles Pulitzer Prize-winning Lynsey Addario’s ascent in the male-dominated world of conflict photography.
- Send Kelp!, an encouraging film documenting how modern kelp farms can take on climate change and global food insecurity.
You can view a full schedule of the upcoming Friday Harbor Film Festival here, and buy passes and single tickets to the films and events here. Patron Passes and Filmmaker VIP Reserved Seating for the Friday Harbor Film Festival opened on September 26, while All Access Pass Reserved seating begins on October 1. You can purchase single tickets and ticket passes to the Friday Harbor Film Festival starting October 4.
Add a Stay at Our Leading Friday Harbor Hotel
What are you waiting for? The Friday Harbor Film Festival is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year, and with screenings at several venues across town, it’s smart to plan your trip in advance. While you’re securing your tickets, don’t forget the most important part of festival weekend, booking your stay. Our Friday Harbor Hotel is just steps from several of the main screening venues, giving you a prime location right in the heart of Friday Harbor.
Staying here means you can walk to the films, head back for a quick break between showings, and still make it to the Gala or panel discussions without worrying about parking or logistics. It’s the ideal way to enjoy the festival at your own pace. We highly recommend picking up an All-Access Pass to make the most of your time at the Friday Harbor Film Festival. But, even if you only squeeze in a showing or two, we know you’ll have a great time around town for the remainder of your time here.
As one of the top-rated hotels on San Juan Island, Tucker House Inn and Harrison House Suites offer more than just convenience. Guests are treated to a multi-course gourmet breakfast each morning, fresh-baked cookies delivered to their room in the afternoon, and the option to enjoy dinner at Coho Restaurant, the inn’s farm-to-table dining experience. Amenities like complimentary bicycles and kayaks, outdoor hot tubs in select suites, and welcoming decks with barbecue grills make your stay even more enjoyable.
Friendly hospitality ensures every detail of your weekend is tended to, so you can focus on discovering new films and soaking up the vibrant energy of the Friday Harbor Film Festival. Book your stay now and make this year’s film festival an experience to remember.
