The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is one of North America’s preeminent film events, and is the most highly attended film festival in the U.S., hosting more than 150,000 patrons in 2011. The 25-day event offers huge exposure for the talented filmmakers who are fortunate enough to earn a coveted slot. Washington-produced films have been featured throughout SIFF’s 38-year history, but 2012 is a year for the record books. For the first time SIFF will showcase a locally produced Opening Night Gala Film. Seattle’s own Lynn Shelton directed “Your Sister’s Sister”. The film stars Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass, but it also showcases the talents of many local cast and crew, as well as the natural beauty of the film’s principal location – the San Juan Islands.
Washington Filmworks will be at SIFF as part of their Filmmakers Forums and Digital Media Lab series. We will be hosting a FREE information session on May 19th at 4:00 p.m. at the SIFF Film Center. The program, entitled We Did It! Now What?!?!,will discuss our film community’s recent success renewing Washington’s Motion Picture Competitiveness Program, and will address how the film office, the production incentive, and the statewide industry can work together to make the most of the future of filmmaking in our state.
“The 2012 Northwest Connections lineup is one of the best ever – with over 50 films from the NW, SIFF is really proud be be showcasing such imaginative and well made films” says Beth Barrett, Director of Programming at SIFF. “Of the 14 feature length films at the Festival this year, six of them were directly incentivized through Washington Filmworks, and I know that many of the other films were indirectly affected by the support of the incentive to filmmakers in WA state.”
We’re ecstatic that six incentive films will screen during SIFF 2012. There’s a little something for every kind of film fan, so you won’t have any excuses not to take in one, or all, of these fantastic movies. Invite a friend, or better yet, invite your legislators to celebrate all the great work coming out of Washington State.
CHECK OUT ALL SIX INCENTIVE FILMS PLAYING AT SIFF 2012
There are several opportunities for you to see the World Premiere of ‘Camilla Dickinson‘, based on the novel by Madeleine L’Engle, and directed by Cornelia Duryée Moore.
Jacob Aaron Estes wrote and directed ‘The Details‘,which is SIFF’s June 8th Friday Gala Film. Tobey Macguire and Elizabeth Banks star in this dark comedy set and shot in Seattle.
Fresh off her tour de force at SXSW, local director Megan Griffiths brings ‘Eden‘ to SIFF. Take in an amazing film and experience the diversity of Washington, which doubles for the American Southwest.
‘Fat Kid Rules The World‘ directed by Matthew Lillard, will screen throughout the festival. This family-friendly feature is also the Opening Night Film for the Renton leg of SIFF 2012.
Experience monorail-mania in ‘Grassroots‘ at the SIFF Closing Night Gala. This film, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, showcases the entertaining side of politics and stars Jason Biggs and Cedric the Entertainer.
Colin Trevorrow’s ‘Safety Not Guaranteed‘ was a hit at Sundance. You can catch it this summer in theaters, but see it first at SIFF. Meet the film’s stars and celebrate with local cast and crew.
See you at SIFF 2012, Washington!