The Port Townsend Film Festival has announced that director Catherine Hardwicke and fellow filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg will take part in the 25th annual fall film festival Sept. 19-22.

Hardwicke’s notable films include 2003’s “Thirteen,” 2005’s “Lords of Dogtown” and the 2008 blockbuster “Twilight.” Schwartzberg has gained notice for his time-lapse photography and nature documentaries, which have included his direction of 2019’s “Fantastic Fungi” and all 19 episodes of the Emmy-nominated 2014-2019 series “Moving Art.”

Danielle McClelland, executive director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, said that Hardwicke’s vision and storytelling themes align with this year’s theme of “On the Journey,” as Hardwicke’s career “has been a remarkable journey through the landscape of independent and mainstream cinema.”

McClelland likewise touted Schwartzberg’s perspective as aligning with the festival’s “commitment to showcasing innovative and inspiring works,” as she believes he can offer attendees “a rare glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer in visual storytelling.”

McClelland explained that Schwartzberg came to the film festival’s attention through local community leader Judy Alexander, who’d led a previous campaign to bring him to Port Townsend for a planned Earth Day celebration in 2020.

“Obviously, the timing of that event didn’t work out,” McClelland said. “But Judy was successful in getting in direct contact with him, after gathering a huge group of personal letters from Port Townsend locals who were fans of his work, and had been particularly enthusiastic after ‘Fantastic Fungi’ played at the Rose Theatre. It’s yet another example of ‘the village’ that makes the film festival happen!”

Schwartzberg is set to attend a screening of “Fantastic Fungi,” which will serve as the festival’s free outdoor film on Taylor Street on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

As one of the Port Townsend Film Festival’s Focus events, Schwartzberg is also planning to  present the “Cutting Edge of Film Technology, with Louie Schwartzberg,” which McClelland promoted as an “intimate event,” to provide a platform for cinephiles and nature enthusiasts alike to “explore the intersection of art, technology and environmental consciousness” that she sees as defining Schwartzberg’s work.

Director Hardwicke is expected to attend a special screening of her critically acclaimed “Thirteen” during her visit, which should include a portion for audience feedback.

Hardwicke is also set to present two Forum events of her own, to include discussing her work and answering questions during “A Conversation with Catherine Hardwicke” on Sunday, Sept. 22, providing insights into her creative processes and experiences in the film industry.

McClelland said she believes this equally “intimate setting” should help cinephiles gain a deeper understanding of Hardwicke’s work and impact on contemporary cinema.

Hardwicke is further set to present a master class for the Forum, entitled “Fix it in Prep,” during which she’s expected to offer case studies and methods of working with costume designers, production designers, stunt coordinators, storyboards and shot lists, which is why McClelland highly recommends this class for current and aspiring filmmakers alike.

“The fact that both filmmakers are presenting in our Forum is a testament to their generosity and interest in connecting with other filmmakers and audience members alike,” McClelland said. “I can’t wait to learn more from Louie about the groundbreaking work he continues to do with different aspects of cinematography. And I’m absolutely thrilled that Catherine is going to teach a workshop that anyone can attend for $15!”

McClelland said that the opening night gala on Thursday, Sept. 19, is one of her favorite parts of the film festival, since it serves not only as a fundraiser for the festival, but it also hosts filmmakers such as Hardwicke.

“During the dinner, the filmmakers are newly arrived, the supporters of the festival are there in force, ready to learn more about the event’s future, and our special guests are talking about how film festivals like ours have impacted their careers,” McClelland said. “Everyone is meeting each other for the first time. It launches a whole weekend of a national and international community of filmmakers, bonding with our local community and making plans together for the future.”