Orcas Microcinema

About Us

The Orcas Microcinema was founded in 2024. We are a community powered and centered itinerant microcinema that provides filmmaking and cinema appreciation workshops across Washington state and the Pacific Northwest for youth. We also host public film screenings of local & international works with the aim of inciting intergenerational and intercultural exchange and understanding.

The Orcas Microcinema hopes to develop and inspire the next generation of film lovers and filmmakers, especially those who may not feel welcome or face barriers in accessing creative spaces and opportunities.

Founded on Orcas Island, located within the San Juan Island archipelago, the Orcas Microcinema acknowledges we work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) and Samish nations, who are still among us today and continue to lead our region’s vibrant cultural, social and environmental movements and communities.

What is a Microcinema?

A Microcinema is an independent, audience centric space that screens films that may otherwise not be played in mainstream cinemas. Microcinemas are usually in alternative or “underground” spaces with very limited equipment, just the basics: a projector, screen and chairs. Films are at the center, with the audience being able to engage with filmmakers, other audience members and the wider community in an intimate environment.

Being an itinerant cinema, the Orcas Microcinema can show films anywhere and everywhere, including indoors and outdoors. We are proud to partner with organizations who are actively working in the community to collaborate on film selections and workshops so our events meet the needs and curiosities of workshop participants and audiences.