SIFF

We’re proud to announce the six winning projects of the 2024 SIFF Grant for Courageous Documentary Filmmaking, thanks to generous funding from the Satterberg Foundation! From over 89 submissions, the six awardees were selected by a panel of judges spanning from notable documentary filmmakers to Washington film leaders, including Nesib CB Shamah (Washington Filmmaker and Satterberg Foundation Board Member), Melanie Miller (Producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary NAVALNY), Derek Edamura (he/him) (Northwest Film Forum Executive Director), and Beth Barrett (SIFF Artistic Director). Meet the winners: ▪️ BRING THEM HOME prod. Rob Young ▪️ DEAR ALOHA dir. Cris Romento ▪️ LIFE AFTER LIFE dir. JJ Gerber, prod. Clementine Briand ▪️ SEATTLE BLACK PANTHERS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE & FREEDOM  dirs. Rick DuPree & Marques Du Pree ▪️ SHELLY’S LEG dir. Wes Hurley ▪️ VIEW FROM THE FLOOR dirs. Megan Griffiths & Mindie Lind Learn more about these filmmakers and their projects at siff.info/docgrant-li.

Tickets are now on sale to one and all for the 17th annual Noir City Seattle: siff.info/noircity-li. Taking place at SIFF Cinema Downtown from February 14 to 20, this year’s lineup features the femmes that made film noir fatale. Many of the films star the actresses profiled in Eddie Muller’s 2002 book ”Dark City Dames: The Wicked Women of Film Noir,” which is being reissued in April 2025 in a newly revised and expanded edition. The Film Noir Foundation founder, Turner Classic Movies host, and "Czar of Noir'' Eddie Muller will present all screenings February 14-16, with local noir experts and authors Vince and Rosemarie Keenan taking over hosting duties February 17-20. We always enjoy their expert takes and tidbits of film noir facts in their introductions!

Join SIFF for Talking Pictures, a new series of film experiences where local luminaries host a screening of a film of their choice at SIFF Cinemas and share with audiences how it has impacted them. On February 10, renowned chef Kenji López-Alt along with SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett will lead an extended introduction for WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971) at SIFF Cinema Downtown. Following the screening, Kenji López-Alt will be hosting a book signing in partnership with Book Larder, Seattle’s local hub for cookbooks and cookbook events. Books will be available for purchase and the signing will take place in the theater lobby. The Talking Pictures series raises funds to support SIFF and a portion of the ticket price includes a donation. For more information on this event, visit https://lnkd.in/gNqTNDuW.

Tomorrow is the deadline for FutureWave submissions for the 51st Seattle International Film Festival! Filmmakers ages 18 and under can submit their films at https://lnkd.in/gkuBcZp7.

For last year's 50th edition of the Seattle International Film, WongDoody made this fun little riff on David Lynch's Wild at Heart as part of a series of theatrical bumpers to celebrate the occasion. It's totally silly, but I was thrilled to highlight a great work that deserves more attention — it's practically impossible to find streaming. The festival itself has a long history with the director. His first feature, Eraserhead, made its Northwest premier at the festival in 1978. And over the years SIFF has been inspired by and a champion of his work. More on that in this great tribute on their blog: https://lnkd.in/gtC5Gqv7 It's still difficult to imagine the world without his talent and imagination.

📰 New on the blog 📰 David Lynch, 1946-2025: SIFFRAFF Reflections Beloved arthouse auteur David Lynch—one of the most iconic and prolific American filmmakers—is passing through the White Lodge. The news of his death devastated many of us SIFFRAFF who have been inspired and influenced by his work. Few directors have influenced movies in the ways he did, and as we collectively grieve, we reflect on his impact: siff.info/davidlynch-li.

Have you seen this documentary yet? No Place to Grow Old was filmed in Portland by Humans For Housing and chronicles the growing crisis of elders aging into homelessness. Visit https://buff.ly/4gj6XaD for a screening. Housing Development Consortium of Seattle - King County King County Regional Homelessness Authority SIFF #noplacetogrowold #homelessnessawareness #change

SIFF is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,000. This grant will support the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival, which will take place May 15-25 at SIFF Cinemas and venues throughout the city. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants. For more information on SIFF's award and the other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

Applications are open for Stowe Story Labs’ online longform writing programs, Feature Campus and TV Writers Room. These programs are designed to help artists grow their new story idea into a strong first draft of a feature script or TV pilot. Both programs are led by screenwriter and script consultant David Pope. Writers will have one-on-one consultations with Pope during key points of the writing process. Both programs are capped at 12 participants each. Applications are rolling and close January 27, or when all slots are filled. Learn more and apply here: bit.ly/3AQwqsq

From playing at the 2023 Seattle International Film Festival to being shortlisted for the Academy Awards, Sam Cutler-Kreutz and David Cutler-Kreutz’s short film A LIEN is a riveting contender. A LIEN FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION - BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM On the day of their green card interview, a young couple confronts a dangerous immigration process. Watch Now: https://lnkd.in/ghKj2Swr https://lnkd.in/g9d24gW6