FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Filmworks Partners with SIFFX to Produce Fly Story Program
Program designed to Inspire and Educate Local Makers about Immersive Storytelling
Seattle, WA – May 31, 2016 – This year the Seattle International Film Festival will include a festival within the festival devoted to new modes of storytelling using Virtual Reality, 360° cinema and Augmented Reality. Called SIFFX, the four-day event takes place June 2 to June 5 at venues across the Seattle Center, including the SIFF Film Center and the Pacific Science Center Laser Dome.
Washington Filmworks is thrilled to partner with SIFFX this year to produce Fly Story, an exclusive event for the local creative community that is designed to both inspire and educate makers about the power of immersive storytelling. Throughout the SIFFX weekend, local creative professionals (including filmmakers, sculptors, choreographers and visual artists), will have access to some of the world’s most inspiring leaders working with new technologies and each maker will have an opportunity to work with the technology that will shape the future of entertainment.
The public is invited to join the conversation at a panel titled “Fly Story 360 Round-Up” at 3:15 pm on Sunday, June 5 @X-Hub (SIFF Film Center on the Seattle Center Campus). During this conversation, participants will share what they learned and we will discuss why the city (and state) should care about storytelling – culturally, artistically, economically and politically.
Fly Story makers confirmed for this inaugural event are:
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Rick Araluce
Haruko Crow
Dayna Hanson
Mischa Jakupcak
Sarah Kavage
Nicole Kistler
Joshua Kohl
Lacey Leavitt
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Susie Lee
Paul Mailman
KT Neilhoff
Sean Nelson
Amy O’Neal
Tracey Rector
Dacia Saenz
Norma Straw
Kate Wallich
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“While Washington Filmworks helps facilitate production each day, we are equally passionate about the future of film in Washington State,” says Amy Lillard, Executive Director of Washington Filmworks. “With our local storytelling and technology resources, Washington State is uniquely positioned to lead content creation in the new 360 environment Fly Story represents an opportunity for our local creative and technology professionals to meet, create and incubate new ideas.”
“The opportunity for learning, sharing ideas, and professional networking is an absolutely crucial part of SIFFX,” says SIFF Chief Curator and Festival Director Carl Spence. “SIFF is thrilled to bring the vanguard of immersive storytelling to Seattle as a resource and inspiration for artists of all modes and media, and to present this forum for dialogue and exchange.”
“I am thrilled that SIFF and Washington Filmworks are working with SIFFX to launch Fly Story during our inaugural immersive media festival,” says Sandy Cioffi, Festival Director of SIFFX. “These organizations have a deep tradition of supporting the independent vision of filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest. With Fly Story we up our game. Technology and gaming companies are certainly here to stay in Silicon Rainforest. It’s time for arts and culture, social justice and urbanist edges to push, disrupt and transform the tools and character of what is produced from this region. The opportunities for all of us seem limitless.”
About Washington Filmworks: Washington Filmworks is the non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that manages the state film office and production incentive programs. Our mission is to create economic development opportunities by building and enhancing the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of Washington’s film industry. We do this by creating possibilities for local and national filmmakers and offering comprehensive production support as well as financial incentives.
About SIFF: Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States, reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming, presenting over 450 features, short films, and documentaries from over 80 countries each year. SIFF Cinema exhibits premiere theatrical engagements, repertory, classic, and revival film showings 365 days a year on five screens at the SIFF Cinema Uptown, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, and SIFF Film Center, reaching more than 150,000 attendees annually. SIFF Education offers educational programs for all audiences serving more than 13,000 students and youth in the community with free programs each year.