Ground to Sound: A Celebration of Art, Film, and Tacoma’s Waterways
There’s something powerful about seeing a community show up - not just to attend an event, but to breathe life into it. That’s exactly what happened at the second annual Ground to Sound Film & Art Festival, a one-of-a-kind collaboration between the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department and creative marketing agency Foster’s Creative.
Held at the historic Foss Waterway Seaport, this year’s festival leveled up in every way. Bigger space, new documentary film, and more interactive ways to engage with Tacoma’s relationship to water, art, and storytelling. From the moment doors opened, you could feel the buzz: artists mingled with community members, filmmakers shared their work with families, and local vendors brought flavor and flair to the night.
Why it Matters
At its core, Ground to Sound is more than a festival. It’s a call to awareness that every action on land affects the health of our waterways. The tagline says it all: “If it hits the ground, it hits the Sound.” But this isn’t just about messaging. It’s about creating a cultural shift by inviting people into the conversation in creative, engaging, and meaningful ways.
And that’s exactly what happened. Films challenged assumptions. Art sparked dialogue. Poets, vendors, and community members filled the space with expression, curiosity, and care.
A Night to Remember
The event drew a full house - so full, in fact, the team ran out of chairs. But nobody seemed to mind. Whether standing in the back, sitting on the floor, or huddled near the gallery walls, attendees stayed, watched, listened, and connected.
One of the most exciting aspects? The People’s Choice Film Voting, which extended the impact beyond the event itself, inviting the community to view this year’s film submissions online and cast a vote for their favorite. With a $500 prize on the line (and bragging rights), the energy stayed high after the festival wrapped.
Gratitude All Around
This event doesn’t happen without the village. Huge thanks go out to every artist, filmmaker, poet, sponsor, vendor, and city partner who helped make Ground to Sound what it is. It’s a rare thing to find an intersection of environment, art, and community that feels this real, this resonant.
And to everyone who showed up? You’re the heartbeat of this festival.
Here’s to a community that’s creative, conscious, and ready to protect what makes this place special.
Until Next Year...
If you missed it, there’s still time to explore the magic. Visit groundtosoundfilmandartfest.com to learn more about the festival, watch submitted films, and get inspired for what’s next.
