SIFF

Escape to the reel world at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival! The 51st edition returns in person May 15-25 and virtually on the SIFF Channel May 26-June 1, celebrating independent cinema as a destination. Announcing this year’s venues: ✨ The Paramount Theatre - Opening Night Gala film and party ✨ SIFF Cinema Downtown ✨ SIFF Cinema Uptown ✨ SIFF Film Center ✨ AMC Theatres Pacific Place ✨ Shoreline Community College ✨ Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) - Closing Night Gala party The full lineup will be revealed with tickets on sale to members on April 23. Tickets on sale to the public April 24. Passes and ticket packs available now: siff.info/festli. Thank you to WongDoody for helping us plan our cinematic getaway with this year’s art!

Our summer Filmmaking Camps for youth ages 9-14 are filling up quickly, with Mysteries and Stop Motion 1 sold out! These five-day camps are held at the SIFF Film Center between 9:00am–3:00pm, and the first session begins July 7 with options through August 11: siff.info/filmcamps-li. A limited number of full scholarships are available—email education@siff.net to inquire.

Reflecting on some great feedback from our 4th World Media Lab fellows from the first leg of their residency at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (Big Sky Film Institute). 🎥✍️   #4thWorldMediaLab is a yearlong traveling fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers working on a short film or feature project. Our 10th Cohort members (Scott W. Kekama Amona, Katsitsionni Fox, James Johnson III, Jules Arita Koostachin, Tiare Ribeaux, Steph Viera), recently completed their first stop at our partners #BigSkyDocumentaryFilmFestival where they met for the first time as a group with their mentors.   Everyone got to share more information about their projects in preparation for their next stop with our partners at SIFF (The Seattle International Film Festival) taking place in May. Here, our cohort will further refine their stories and begin their pitch training.   Steph Viera shared with us their key takeaways from the experience:   “My first 4th World Media Lab experience at Big Sky was really fruitful! I left that festival space feeling grounded in the connections made, especially with the bonds created between the cohort were really special and something that was very needed at this moment in time with everything going on the world.    As a filmmaker who is telling a really personal and intimate story about a community that has a lot at stake for them right now, I felt heard, seen and supported with the 4th World community and feel really grateful for these experiences that this fellowship is able to support me in this year.”   We'd also like to give a BIG shoutout to our Program Coordinator, Taylor Hensel, for keeping everything with this fellowship running smoothly and offering unwavering support to each fellow. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. 🥹🌟 We're so excited to continue supporting these filmmakers and their projects!🎥🎉 Learn more about them here: https://lnkd.in/g46mbVzD #IndigenousFilmmakers #NarrativeSovereignty #4thWorldMedia #IndigenousCinema #NativeCinema #FilmFestival #FilmFellowship #Documentary #Montana

🌙 Meet Beth Barrett – Speaker at #NightofIdeas 2025! As Creative Director of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Beth Barrett shapes the artistic vision behind one of the world’s most celebrated film festivals. With over 20 years of experience, she leads SIFF’s year-round programming, education initiatives, and Academy Award-qualifying short film selection. Beth also serves on the Seattle Film Commission and has been a juror at major festivals worldwide. Join Beth and other international guests to explore the role of cultural diplomacy, art, and bilingual education in shaping our world. Engage in thought-provoking discussions and interactive experiences that spark joy, hope, and action in uncertain times. 📅 Don't miss out—RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gTTSQM6B A program of Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education. Supported by 4Culture, The Simpson Center for the Humanities at The University of Washington, World Affairs Council- Seattle, UW French and Italian Studies.

Want the #SIFF2025 insider scoop on the First Look films? Tune in to our inaugural SIFFtv episode of the season to hear from Beth and Stan as they introduce the first six films checking into the Reel World! Watch the full video at youtu.be/NCRubAjICMM. Thank you to our friends at Indigo Slate for producing our 2025 Seattle International Film Festival SIFFtv series.

Let’s take a first look at the Reel World! In anticipation of the 51st Seattle International Film Festival, we know you’ve circled May 15 on your calendar, and now it’s time to start planning your itinerary. Although our full film lineup won’t go live until April 23, here’s a first look at the first-rate amenities you’ll enjoy on this most enchanting getaway. These films offer a delightful assortment of enriching experiences; they thrill, educate, warm the heart, and inspire. ▪️ CLOUD dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan ▪️ DANCING QUEEN IN HOLLYWOOD dir. Aurora Gossé, Norway ▪️ DIAMONDS dir. Ferzan Özpetek, Italy ▪️ DJ AHMET dir. Georgi M. Unkovski, North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Serbia/Croatia ▪️ SALLY dir. Cristina Costantini, USA ▪️ SEEDS dir. Brittany Shyne, USA More information on these cinematic sights is available at siff.info/firstlook25-li.

You’re invited to SIFF's annual volunteer meeting on Sunday, April 13, at SIFF Cinema Downtown! Volunteer with SIFF to support our mission, see films, and make friends! Learn about volunteer opportunities and roles for the 2025 Festival, taking place May 15-25 across Seattle. At this meeting, we’ll unveil this year’s volunteer t-shirt design, outline volunteer roles and benefits, and provide the latest updates on the 51st Seattle International Film Festival. RSVP and find more information at https://lnkd.in/g4gFjEnh.

Experience the Future of French Cinema at Young French Cinema! Join us from March 21 to 23 at the Film Center for a dynamic festival in partnership with SIFF. Explore the bold, fresh perspectives of emerging French filmmakers through six captivating films, each offering unique storytelling and creative visions. ✨ Closing Night Special with Spirit of Ecstasy! On March 23, we’re thrilled to welcome Florian Cardinaux, Consul of France at Consulate General of France in San Francisco, to celebrate the vibrant world of young French cinema. Tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gveTxMme

Submissions are now open for Cascade PBS's docuseries project, Origins! They are looking for stories that reflect the makeup of the PNW told from an insider’s perspective: stories grounded in ancestry, connection, culture, influence and rootedness. Stories that reflect our place, values and people. Every year, through an online submission process, the Cascade PBS Original Productions team will select a project and award $40,000 to go toward producing a five-part short form docuseries. The key requirement is that the filmmaker needs to be part of the community they are documenting (Indigenous stories told by Indigenous filmmakers, Latinx stories told by Latinx filmmakers). The winning project has the chance for a premiere event at SIFF Cinema Uptown as well as the potential to broadcast on Cascade PBS and our on-demand platforms. More information is available at cascadepbs.org/origins.

SIFF is now accepting press accreditation applications for the 51st Seattle International Film Festival, returning in person May 15-25 and virtually on the SIFF Channel May 26-June 1! To be considered for a press pass or tickets, complete the application form on or before Tuesday, April 8: siff.info/pressaccred-li.