Vashon is just a quick ferry ride from Seattle, making it an easy summer escape when the farmers market is full on, farmlands are alive, and the sparkle off Puget Sound can be mesmerizing. But these days, it’s not just the scenery and island charm drawing crowds. Come early August, you’re just as likely to find yourself sharing the ferry with cinephiles bound for the Vashon Island Film Festival which kicks off August 7 and runs through the 10th.

Here are five reasons you should grab your ferry ticket, book your accommodations, and experience it for yourself.

1. Go for the Films (Obviously)

Let’s start with the obvious: this is a film festival, after all. Each year, the Vashon Island Film Festival pulls together an impressive slate of features, shorts, and documentaries across various genres and styles. From dramas to comedies and an array of shorts films, the festival continues to deliver a solid lineup of films. This year is no exception as the fest kicks off with the 2024 Cannes horror comedy film, “The Balconettes.”  There’s also the 2025 Sundance winner, “DJ Ahmet,” on tap, and another big winner at this year’s Sundance, the documentary, “Seeds.” Over the four day run, the fest will screen 9 features and fifteen shorts – with select screenings featuring filmmaker Q&As. It’s definitely a winning lineup – but the real winners will be celebrated at the closing night awards ceremony where the Jury and Audience Awards will be handed out.

2. The Parties: Dance Under the Stars

No film festival is complete without parties, and the festival delivers in its own unpretentious, island-style way. The historic Vashon Theatre, where the fest’s screenings take place, is also home to “The Backlot” – an expansive outdoor patio with plenty of seating, games, picnic tables, ping pong tables, and a large stage where DJs spin into the night. Last year’s closing night bash found movie lovers hitting the dance floor with fellow festival-goers, filmmakers, and even a couple of cute dogs.

3. The Island: A Cinematic Backdrop in its Own Right

Of course, Vashon is worth visiting any time of year, and the festival is an added bonus. Located just a 20-minute ferry ride from West Seattle or 30 minutes from Tacoma, the island feels like stepping onto the set of a nature-driven indie film with small-town charm. Population: around 11,000. Main Street is lined with local shops, galleries, and cafés where cashiers still greet regulars by name. That said, in recent years I’ve noticed an influx of shiny BMWs and Teslas alongside the old pickups and wagons, giving the island a mix of old-school charm and new money. Between festival screenings, head on over to the Point Robinson Lighthouse (built in 1914) and walk the grounds or take a lighthouse tour. Pro tip: keep an eye out for nearby blackberry bushes for the ultimate tasty snack. There are also some rooms to rent in the Pt. Robins Keepers’ Quarters – these accommodations are quite popular, so plan ahead.

4. The Food Game is Strong

Summer fare is easy to find on Vashon. Between screenings you can grab a juicy burger, a towering milkshake, or fresh lemonade from one of the walk-up spots near the theater. But Vashon also has a handful of festival-worthy destination spots that punch way above their weight. The Ruby Brink is a bar and butcher shop so expect some great cocktails and local ciders while snacking on some pork rillettes. Lunch, brunch, or dinner, this is a carnivores dream. If you’re looking for a delicious bite on the go, Sugar Shack is a cute little joint that can hook you up. Just off the main drag, this restaurant serves prepared meals for takeaway. They even have a lovely backyard that doubles as an event space where we enjoyed a filmmakers dinner last year. Other standouts include May Kitchen + Bar for Thai, Zamorana for Mexican, Gravy for Southern fare, and the tasting rooms at Nashi Orchards and Dragon’s Head Cider.

5. Bragging Rights: Catch it Before it Blows Up

Here’s the thing: Vashon Film Festival is still relatively under the radar, but that’s changing fast. In just four years, its grown its audience, attracted bigger films, and built industry buzz. Filmmaker, turned film distributor, Mark Sayre, founded Vashon Island Film Festival and he shows no signs of slowing down. Being at the fest, there’s a sense that it’s on the cusp of becoming a can’t-miss regional festival. Go this year and you’ll have bragging rights that you were there before the crowds got bigger and before ferry lines started looking like Sundance shuttle waits.