PORT TOWNSEND — Janette Force, the new executive director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, says she’s working to remember the past 10 years of the festival’s history while planning for the next 10 years to come.

In a way, the two decades of films may be more connected than most people realize.

“The 10- year plan for the festival is to become more than just a festival, but also a film institute,” Force said.

“My vision is, for a week before the festival we go beyond just the question-and-answer sessions.

“We have classes and showings and time with the quality directors we bring.

“In reality this was Peter’s vision, and I’m happy to help carry on that vision.”

Peter Simpson, the artistic director of the Port Townsend Film Festival for nine years, died of cardiac arrest at his Port Townsend home on April 16.

He was 74.

Key to festival

To many, Simpson was the festival, as he served as the director, spokesman and artistic reviewer of all the films that played each year.

When he died, the festival retired the title “artistic director” and choose to make a permanent hire for an executive director to develop the festival into a yearlong institute for film — a vision Simpson had long discussed as a possible direction for the festival.

Force was hired earlier this month by the board of directors with that directive in mind: fulfill the institute model by 2020.

“Peter has large and glorious shoes for someone to try and fill,” Force said.

“To find myself standing in that shadow is humbling, but I’ll find some light.

“I’m just glad to be part of the next chapter.”

Force has volunteered with the festival for the past six years as a special events director.

Formerly working as a consultant for an architecture firm on Bainbridge Island, Force became involved when her company sponsored some of the movies for the festival.

“Part of the sponsorship was that I was volunteering my time,” she said.

“This year, when the economy went down and we cut back, I was laid off and found myself available to fill this role.

“It’s the perfect fit and I’m ready to move them into the future.”

The institute won’t be implemented in 2010, Force said, but there are some plans for additions to the festival offerings.

One idea is a look back over the past 10 film festivals with a movie series highlighting the most important films shown in the first decade of the festival’s history.

A look back

“We want to present the films that made an impact over the past 10 years,” Force said.

“We also want to work year-round on this, talking to sponsors, partnering with more groups and bringing together more variety in our films.”

Force is also plugging some of the festival’s annual offerings such as the unique film collection housed in its offices on the third floor of 211 Taylor St.

“For $25 an individual can become a member of the library and rent the films we have on stock,” she said.

“It’s an excellent chance to see some rare and unique films, but it also sustains our work.”

The festival is also selling its merchandise of years past on Dec. 5 at the Northwest Maritime Center Building.

Force is also working to get more people involved with volunteering and as donors by creating special surprise events.

Force said it is all a means to an end some 10 years down the road.

“I plan to be here in 10 years looking back at it all,” Force said.

“We’re launching into this vision starting now.”

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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.