Dear Editor: Thank you, Sitka, for making the Second Annual American Documentary and Animation Film Festival possible! I’m incredibly grateful to all the volunteers and sponsors who helped make AmDocs Sitka 2026 a successful event.
A huge thank you to Luke and Cambria Bruckert who hosted the Festival at the Coliseum Theater for the day-time shows. Luke ran the projector for some great screenings while making amazing pizza and gelato for our visiting filmmakers! It was the ideal spot for our Meet and Greet. Thanks to Hank Moore who helped with the sound system and drove filmmakers around town as a Home Stay host.
Sitka Performing Arts Center was a beautiful venue for our evening programs. As visitors from Fairbanks noted, what a grand place for a small town! Thanks to Rach and Charlie with Sitka Fine Arts Camp, the volunteer ushers and ticket booth helpers, Shannon Haugland and the Sitka Film Society, and the AmeriCorp volunteers for those delicious cookies!
For the second year, Sitkans volunteered to open their homes to the visiting filmmakers and our special guests. Many thanks to the generosity of Toby and Norm Campbell, Brent and Val Edwards, Brenda Campen, Mark and Nancy Gorman, Linda Behnken and Kent Barkhau, Judi Lehmann, Hank Moore and Karl Potts. The directors loved their first visit to Sitka thanks to such warm hospitality!
The Sitka Public Library hosted an engaging Directors Forum, thanks to Margot O’Connell for organizing it, and Patrick Sheehan for moderating the panel discussion. I’m grateful to the other moderators who led Q & A discussions after the film programs: Ellie Campbell, Lisa Busch and Alana Peterson.
Thanks to the music teachers – Andrew Hames, Haylee Koon and Susan Brandt-Ferguson – for helping organize Sheila del Bosque’s performances in the schools. The kids seemed to really enjoy Sheila’s flute playing.
Allen Marine took the filmmakers on an unforgettable cruise where they witnessed a large pod of orcas interacting with humpback whales. There was lots of excitement on board thanks to the crew. A shout-out to Katie Riley with the Sitka Conservation Society for her insights and to the Alaska Wilderness League for sponsoring the cruise.
The filmmakers also loved our food! Thanks to Campfire Pizza, Alaska Thai Kitchen and Fireweed Dinner Service, for preparing such delicious meals.
Another round of applause to all the people who helped promote the Festival: Raven Radio, KIFW, the Sitka Sentinel, Old Harbor Books, Suzanne Portello and Hannah Portello-Swagel, Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Budd, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and all the people who spread the word. Thanks!
Deep gratitude for our partners and sponsors who made the Festival happen!
Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Coliseum Theater, Campfire Pizza, Old Harbor Books, Southeast Resort, Alaska Airlines, Rotary Club of Sitka, Greater Sitka Arts Council, Alaska Wilderness League, Sitka Conservation Society, Shauna Thornton at First National Bank, Harry Race Pharmacy and Photo, Allen Marine Tours, Galley by the Sea, AC/Lakeside Grocery, Forget-Me-Not Gift Shop, Simply Salmon, and the Supple Foundation.
We would love your feedback about the Festival: Favorite film or program? Suggestions for next year? How might we make this Festival better? Might your business be interested in sponsoring air fare or miles for a filmmaker? Email: debbiesmiller@hotmail.com.
Most importantly we have set the dates for next year: Oct. 8, 9 and 10, 2027. Mark your calendar for the Third Annual Film Festival!
Check out amdocfilmfest.com for news, updates and photos from this year’s Festival. Many thanks to all,
Debbie S. Miller, Coordinator for AmDocs Sitka 2026
