[2] The festival hosts films and panel discussions[3] and incorporates the cultural, historic, and artistic character of Provincetown:[4] with its thriving art colony, its large gay and lesbian population,[5] its original Native American and Portuguese heritage, and its congenial scenic setting.
In keeping with its mission, the festival often presents films about countercultural figures, such as John Lennon, Allen Ginsberg,[6] William S. Burroughs, BeBe Zahara Benet, and Andrea Dworkin.
[8] Other notable premieres have included A Master Builder, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Splendor, Whale Rider, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Cameraperson, Howl, The Innocents, Brittany Runs a Marathon, Vita & Virginia, and Coffee & Cigarettes.
Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Ira Kaplan, Al Maysles, Faith Hubley, Parker Posey, Mira Nair, Christine Vachon, Alan Cumming, Chloe Sevigny, Michael Musto, Patricia Clarkson, David Cronenberg, Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, Gus Van Sant, Jillian Bell,[9] Tab Hunter,[10] Ang Lee, Barney Frank and former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe.
Excellence in Acting Award,[20] presented to a film artist whose admirable body of work pushes the boundaries of the medium, demonstrating originality and innovation.