The Grand Cinema is proud to announce that the 16th annual Tacoma Film Festival <https://www.tacomafilmfestival.com/> will return as a live, in-person event from Oct. 7 to 14, after being held virtually in 2020 due to coronavirus. TFF showcases the best in independent cinema from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, and it will return stronger than ever with more than 125 films slated to screen at Tacoma's Grand Cinema <https://www.grandcinema.com/> and the Blue Mouse Theatre <https://bluemousetheatre.com/> this year. Festival passes are on sale at the early bird rates of $100 for members of The Grand Cinema <https://www.grandcinema.com/membership/> and $125 for the general public (available here <https://www.goelevent.com/TFF/Pass/Sale> .) Students can attend the event for free <https://airtable.com/shrAPSzVF261h6C7T>, thanks to our partnership with Tacoma Creates <https://www.grandcinema.com/tacoma-creates-free-admission/> . Established in 2006, the Tacoma Film Festival has grown from a small regional festival into a welcoming, interactive haven for regional and international filmmakers, industry professionals, students, fans, critics, and creative entrepreneurs. Moviemaker Magazine included TFF on its list of the 25 best film festivals <https://www.moviemaker.com/the-25-coolest-film-festivals-in-the-world-2020-presented-by-film-freeway/3/> in the world last year <https://www.moviemaker.com/the-25-coolest-film-festivals-in-the-world-2020-presented-by-film-freeway/3/>: "It's encouraging to see festivals that strive to find a balance between the avant-garde and more traditionally focused narrative and documentary films, and Tacoma really manages to bring these worlds together in ways that allow the viewer to see they aren’t that different at all.” TFF has also built a reputation as a lowkey setting where indie film fanatics can meet up-and-coming creators and witness the future of film. Years before Naima Ramos-Chapman became a writer and producer for HBO's critically acclaimed series, *Betty* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5QUqmuN5cU>, she won her first award in Tacoma. Past participants also include the likes of Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld (*High Maintenance*); Terence Nance (*Random Acts of Flyness*); John Wilson (*How to with John Wilson*); and Julia Garner (*Ozark*.) What future superstars might show up this year? Here is what others are saying about TFF: *"The ultimate indie film festival." - Seattle's CityArts Magazine“Rising stars would be remiss not to add it to their annual itinerary." - MovieMaker Magazine“It was one of the most diverse and current selection of films, shorts and new media that I have ever experienced in a film festival. I met people there that I will continue to be connected to for a long time.”– Juan Carlos Zaldivar, filmmaker* *“The programming at TFF had such a progressive vision of cinema. The festival had a definite voice and created a warm atmosphere for filmmakers.” — Masami Kawai, filmmaker“Very friendly, great emphasis on the films and filmmakers and creating an intimate community for film-going. Beautiful festival.” — Derek Knowles, filmmaker/cinematographer* *"As independent cinema decentralizes from traditional locales like NYC and L.A., spaces like TFF become ever more important to foster the diverse networks and discourse needed to advance independent film.” — Nicholas Pilarski, filmmaker*