Industry Spotlight: Tim Williams
Executive Director of Oregon Film
Published March 18, 2025
Written by: Carolina Nascimento
When you think of someone who not only champions Oregon’s film scene but also helps shape it from behind the scenes, Tim Williams stands out. As the Executive Director of Oregon Film, Tim has helped cultivate the state’s creative identity through visionary leadership, deep industry knowledge, and a strong belief in the talent growing right here in Oregon.
Before taking the helm at Oregon Film, Tim was a long-time producer. He was working at Fox Searchlight, the studio behind WILD, based on the memoir by Oregon author Cheryl Strayed. While promoting that film, a newsletter landed in his inbox announcing a vacancy at Oregon Film. One application, a few interviews, and a car ride with two large dogs later, Tim was driving north to Portland to start a new chapter.
He quickly found that Portland wasn’t just a place to work—it was a place that feeds creativity. “Portland is unlike any other city in the way it manifests and embraces creativity,” Tim says. “You never know what you're going to see, who you’re going to meet, or how it’ll make you feel when you attend a screening or festival.” He loves connecting people, making meaningful work, and helping them find the next step in their journey—whatever that may be.
One of the things he’s most proud of is seeing Oregon-made work reach broader audiences, like “Trash Baby” at SXSW and “Horse Girls” and “Paradise Records” at Tribeca. However, he also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the wider landscape, including local festivals like Portland Panorama, which celebrate the depth and diversity of stories being told here.
To aspiring producers and filmmakers, Tim’s advice is clear: “Do your research and make connections. Please identify what you don’t know and try to experience it. Producing is about working on great projects with great people. If you get both of those things right, you’ll thrive.”
And when asked what he hopes to see more of in Oregon’s film scene? His answer says it all: “Opportunity. Opportunity. Opportunity.”
Thank you, Tim, for your leadership and ongoing commitment to uplifting Oregon’s creative community!