The Woods Hole Film Festival (WHFF) made the ambitious decision to produce its 29th edition virtually from July 25-August 1, replicating the eight-day experience on the same days that the in-person event would have taken place. The virtual edition features nearly everything one would find in-person, including 42 feature length and 144 short films (divided into 21 shorts programs), live Q&A’s with filmmakers, workshops and master classes with the three Filmmakers-in-Residence, panel discussions, live music, an awards ceremony, and even a Kids Day.

The live Q&A’s with filmmakers, master classes, workshops, and panel discussions will be the only scheduled events with suggested “watch” times for the films that coincide with the live events. While the virtual option can’t replace the salt air and sandy beaches and the ability to regularly bump into filmmakers in person, audience members and filmmakers alike will be able to participate from anywhere in the world, there will be no need to wait in line, and in most cases, there won’t be any sold out screenings. The festival includes a mix of first-time and veteran filmmakers (many of whom have participated in the festival multiple times) with a focus on films and filmmakers with ties to New England and Cape Cod and the Islands—as well as films about science. There are 38 world premieres, 11 North American premieres, and 6 US premieres, with 52 films made by women and 42 made internationally—including one from Antarctica, a festival first.