Seattle International Film Festival

  • 2nd China Stars Showcase Series Returns to 2017 Seattle International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_17613" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Knife In The Clear Water / WANG Xuebo The Knife In The Clear Water / WANG Xuebo[/caption] The China Stars Showcase series returned to the 43rd annual Seattle International Film Festival for the second year, presenting twelve feature films along with five short films from students of the Beijing Film Academy. With support from WASA North America Group and Hainan Airlines to foster cross-cultural exchange and artistic vision, the China Stars Showcase features stories that range from thriller (Evil Minds) to family friendly comedy (Tea Pets), familial obligations (Knife in the Clear Water) to a fantastic discovery of an inter-dimensional portal (The Door). The twelve films in the selection reflect the breadth of independent films in China today. Curated by SIFF film programmers Beth Barrett, Dustin Kaspar, and Mr. Eugene Zhang of WASA North America Group, the China Stars Showcase will also include an archival presentation of Love and Duty presented alongside a live accompaniment by Donald Sosin as well as the newest film by legendary actress YI Qin, The Beautiful Kokonor Lake. The full China Stars Showcase can be found below. The Beautiful Kokonor Lake d. XING-HAO Shen | China 2017 | 98 min Inspired by the true stories of the difficult construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, 95-year-old Chinese film icon YI Qin wrote, produced, and stars in this romantic drama about a pair of courageous meteorological engineers who fall in love with the region. The Door | North American Premiere d. DONG Liang | China 2017 | 104 min

    A working-class auto mechanic discovers a magical door to an alternate world in which his life choices made him a wealthy playboy who seemingly has it all. Fantastical comic moments lead to self-reflection as he discovers that cross-dimensional existence has its problems.

    Evil Minds d. XIE Dongshen | China 2017 | ~100 min

    In this suspenseful, action-packed thriller, criminal profiler Fang Mu (Li Yifeng) is renowned for his gifted insights, but when a police detective brings him in to solve a bizarre campus murder, it proves to be a case that may be too much even for his skills.

    Father and Son d. YUAN Weidong | China 2017 | ~100 min

    A young businessman fakes his own father’s death in order to collect condolence money to repay some menacing gangsters, but the plan goes from crafty to farcical when his ex-military father returns “from the dead” to help.

    Free and Easy d. JUN Geng | China 2016 | 99 min

    A soap-peddling shyster lands in a desolate northern China factory town filled with idiosyncratic con artists in Jen Geng’s deadpan Jarmusch-style satire, winner of the Special Jury Award for Cinematic Vision at the Sundance Film Festival.

    God of War d. Gordon Chan | China 2017 | 130 min A period war action film about how Chinese general Qi Jiguang defeated Japanese pirates that proliferated along the Chinese coastline during 16th century. Have a Nice Day d. LIU Jian | China 2017 | 77 min Driver Xiao Zhang robs one million dollars from his boss in order to fix his girlfriend’s failed plastic surgery, but he is soon faced with a bigger predicament when a hitman, a gangster and a robber go after him and the money. Knife in the Clear Water | US Premiere d. WANG Xuebo | China 2016 | 93 min

    The hauntingly beautiful fable of an elderly farmer in China’s primarily Muslim Ningxia province who finds that affection for his beloved bull makes it impossible to sacrifice the animal in a religious ceremony―until the bull inexplicably stops eating.

    Love and Duty d. WANCANG Bu | China 1931 | 153 min

    Chinese silent film icon Ruan Lingyu, frequently called the Greta Garbo of Shanghai, stars in this newly restored edition of one of the biggest films of early Chinese cinema, a decades-spanning romantic drama about a woman who pays dearly for following her heart. With live accompaniment by Donald Sosin.

    The Song of Cotton d. ZHU Yuancheng | China 2016 | 90 min

    After accepting the job as a full time caretaker for an ex-boxer who suffers from senile dementia, a young woman develops a close bond with her patient. A heartfelt drama based on a short story by National Book Award-winning author Ha Jin.

    Soul on a String d. ZHANG Yang | China 2016 | 142 min

    A compassionate Buddhist embarks on a mystical quest through Tibet, pursued by black-market traders and a man hell-bent on vengeance. Along the way they encounter mysterious travelers, among them a loyal elf, a lovestruck woman, and a mute psychic.

    Tea Pets d. Gary Wang | China 2017 | 93 min

    Popping off the screen with vivacious colors and beautifully composed action sequences, a group of tea pets―cute clay figurines that are good-luck charms for tea drinkers―embark on a magical animated adventure to find a fabled mystic.

    Short Films from Beijing Film Academy Students

    Bloom d. SUN Yiran and XU Jiyao | China 2017 | 8 min Elephant King d. FU Yan and FU Chao | China 2017 | 11 min Free Throw Line d. ZHANG Yixin | China 2017 | 7 min I Come From Prairie d. Nuhan Arisbek | China 2017 | 8 min The Sea d. LI Yifan | China 2017 | 7 min Seattle International Film Festival is pleased to present the following awards at the China Stars Award Ceremony on Friday, June 9th at the Seattle Pan Pacific Hotel. Lifetime Achievement YI Qin Emergent Talent DONG Liang Film Award Wanda Films

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  • THE BIG SICK Starring Kumail Nanjiani, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter, to Open Seattle International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_20114" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Big Sick The Big Sick[/caption] The Seattle premiere of Amazon Studios’ The Big Sick starring Kumail Nanjiani, Ray Romano, and Holly Hunter, will open the 2017 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) on Thursday, May 18.  This festival favorite comes from a powerhouse team of beloved comedians including Kumail Nanjiani (best known for his acerbic and witty character in Silicon Valley), industry mogul Judd Apatow (Bridesmaids and Knocked Up), and is directed by alt-comedy legend Michael Showalter (Hello, My Name Is Doris and The Baxter). The 2017 Festival runs May 18 through June 11 at venues in Seattle and surrounding cities. After opening to much acclaim at Sundance Film Festival, The Big Sick promises to electrify audiences as it kicks off the largest film festival in North America. The smart and complicated romantic comedy features Kumail Nanjiani as the star and co-writer, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, as well as comedian friends Aidy Bryant, Bo Burnham, and Kurt Braunohler. Co-written by Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon and based on the beginnings of their relationship, Pakistan-born comedian Kumail and grad student Emily fall in love, but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail must navigate the crisis with her parents and the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. Amazon Studios will release The Big Sick in limited theaters on June 23rd with an expansion set for July 14th. SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett says, “We are beyond thrilled to open the doors of the 43rd Seattle International Film Festival with a film that pairs cross-cultural tension with a rawly honest love story. Amazon Studios has surfaced as one of the leading film distributors and content creators to push for strong theatrical releases, and we are honored to continue as partners with them for a second year bringing relevant and endearing films to Seattle audiences.”

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  • Yvonne Paulin’s THE TRAIL Wins Seattle Intl Film Festival Screenplay Competition

    [caption id="attachment_13856" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Seattle International Film Festival Seattle International Film Festival[/caption] THE TRAIL by Yvonne Paulin is the Grand Prize winner of the Seattle International Film Festival first-ever Catalyst Screenplay Competition. THE TRAIL is described as a riveting dramatic thriller set in the snow-covered forests of Washington state that follows a young mother as she fights for her life while unraveling the mystery of her missing daughter. THE TRAIL will receive a live read-through at the SIFF Film Center on Saturday, June 11 during SIFF’s Catalyst Weekend, taking place June 9 to 12, 2016, with screenwriter Yvonne Paulin expected in attendance as a distinguished guest of the Festival. The SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition connects strong scripts with independent directors and producers, all alumni of SIFF’s Catalyst program. It emphasizes the importance of the screenwriter in the creative process and closes the loop of mentorship and collaboration by drawing on industry professionals who have participated in and graduated from Catalyst over its five years of existence. Each screenplay submitted to the SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition receives one page of written feedback from SIFF’s team of trained screenplay readers. Semi-finalist scripts are determined with the use of a 13-category, 10-point rating system. This year, the ten semi-finalist scripts were evaluated by screenwriter George Wing (50 FIRST DATES), who selected the Grand Prize winner, three finalists, and six semi-finalists, each of whom will receive a live reading in front of an audience as part of SIFF’s monthly Catalyst programming over the coming year. Grand Prize Winner THE TRAIL by Yvonne Paulin Finalists DIETRICH DANZIG by John Pisano-Thomsen THE FLID SHOW by Richard Willett THE ROUSTIE by Gina B. LaLonde Semi-Finalists LOCK EYES by Bodine Boling PRIVATE PARTS by Elizabeth Giorgi RED IVORY by Noah Foster-Koth SAVING SHENANDOAH by Alessandra Bautze SOME KIND OF MIRACLE by Arun Narayanan SUBJECT A by Shannon Bentley

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  • Complete Lineup for 2016 Seattle International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_13531" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Captain Fantastic Captain Fantastic[/caption] The 2016 Seattle International Film Festival announced the complete lineup of films, guests, and events for the 42nd annual 25-day Festival taking place May 19 to June 12, 2016. This year, SIFF will screen 421 films representing 85 countries: 181 features (plus 4 secret films), 75 documentaries, 8 archival films, and 153 shorts. The films include 54 World premieres (29 features, 25 shorts), 56 North American premieres (42 features, 14 shorts), and 27 US premieres (15 features, 12 shorts). Both Opening and Closing Nights include period comedies: hearkening to the golden 1930s heyday of Hollywood, Opening Night film Café Society from master filmmaker Woody Allen stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, and Blake Lively; the 1950s-set Australian revenge comedy-drama The Dressmaker closes SIFF 2016 on Sunday, June 12 with an acclaimed cast including Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, and Hugo Weaving. The emotionally wrenching documentary Gleason, follows Spokane-born NFL star Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS using intimate footage masterfully assembled by director Clay Tweel, and will screen at the Festival’s Centerpiece Gala on Saturday, June 4. The Northwest premiere of Matt Ross’s Captain Fantastic, filmed in Washington, will screen as part of a tribute presentation to Viggo Mortensen on Saturday, June 11, where the acclaimed actor will be presented with the Festival’s Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award and interviewed on stage at the flagship SIFF Cinema Egyptian. Selections from Mortensen’s rich and diverse career are slated during SIFF 2016 in celebration of his work, including A Walk on the Moon, Eastern Promises, and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Among this year’s 53 World premieres is Seattle native Megan Griffiths’s The Night Stalker, a penetrating psychological thriller centered on the spine-chilling character of Richard Ramirez, California’s most notorious serial killer. Griffiths and star Lou Diamond Phillips will be in attendance at the June 4 screening. GALAS Opening Night Gala Café Society Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg star in a sparkling new romantic comedy from Woody Allen about a movie-industry hopeful who arrives in 1930s Hollywood, falls in love, and finds himself swept up in the vibrant café society that defined the age. North American Premiere (d: Woody Allen c: Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Steve Carell, Parker Posey, Judy Davis, USA 2016, 96 min) Centerpiece Gala Gleason Director Clay Tweel delivers a bold and moving portrait of beloved Spokane born, former WSU and New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason, who at age 34 was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease and courageously filmed his journey for the public eye. (d: Clay Tweel f: Steve Gleason, Michel Gleason, Rivers Gleason, USA 2016, 110 min) Closing Night Gala The Dressmaker Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, and Judy Davis star in this hysterically madcap adaptation of the beloved novel about a chic 1950s dressmaker who returns from Paris to her small Australian town to right the wrongs of the past and revolutionize the local couture. (d: Jocelyn Moorhouse c: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Australia 2015, 118 min) SPECIAL GUESTS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING AWARD Viggo Mortensen Featuring Captain Fantastic Plus screenings of A Walk on the Moon, Eastern Promises, and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King An actor, painter, poet, photographer, and jazz musician, Viggo Mortensen’s combination of rugged exterior and reflective interior have infused his wide range of film roles with equal parts gravitas and compassion—from criminals to cowboys, lovers to lieutenants, post-apocalyptic survivors to sagacious psychoanalysts, and the rightful king of Gondor. Past honorees of the SIFF Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award include Laura Dern, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kyle MacLachlan, Sir Ben Kingsley, Kevin Bacon, Edward Norton, Sissy Spacek, Joan Allen, and Anthony Hopkins amongst others. AN AFTERNOON WITH Molly Shannon Featuring Other People Plus World Premiere of Miles Molly Shannon’s penchant for theatrical comedy inspired some of “Saturday Night Live”’s most famous characters from 1995-2001, including Mary Catherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley. Shannon went on to appear in several films such as Superstar, Wet Hot American Summer, Marie Antoinette, last year’s SIFF favorite Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and the TV series “Glee” and “Enlightened.” Her ability to shift seamlessly from comic characters to more nuanced dramatic roles is something not many can match. Tonight, SIFF will welcome her to the stage for an interview featuring film clips from her career, followed by a screening of one of Shannon’s latest films, Other People, directed by Chris Kelly. There will also be an opportunity for audience questions following the screening. COMPETITIONS Official Competition Battle of Sevastopol (d: Sergey Mokritskiy, Ukraine/Russia 2015, North American Premiere) [caption id="attachment_13537" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Burn Burn Burn Burn Burn Burn[/caption] Burn Burn Burn (d: Chanya Button, United Kingdom 2015, North American Premiere) Creepy (d: Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan 2016, North American Premiere) Eternal Summer (d: Andreas Öhman, Sweden 2015, North American Premiere) Girl Asleep (d: Rosemary Myers, Australia 2016, North American Premiere) Holding the Man (d: Neil Armfield, Australia 2015, North American Premiere) Moon in the 12th House (d: Dorit Hakim, Israel 2016, World Premiere) News From Planet Mars (d: Dominik Moll, France/Belgium 2016, US Premiere) Radio Dreams (d: Babak Jalali, Iran/USA 2016) The Scent of Mandarin (d: Gilles Legrand, France 2015, North American Premiere) The Sound of Trees (d: François Péloquin, Canada (Québec) 2015, US Premiere) Welcome To Norway! (d: Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway 2016, North American Premiere) New Directors Competition Antonia (d: Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, Italy/Greece 2015, North American Premiere) Before the Streets (d: Chloé Leriche, Canada (Québec) 2016, US Premiere) Coconut Hero (d: Florian Cossen, Germany/Canada 2015, North American Premiere) Family Film (d: Olmo Omerzu, Czech Republic/Germany/Slovenia/France/Slovakia 2015, North American Premiere) The Lure (d: Agnieszka Smoczynska, Poland 2015) Nakom (d: Kelly Daniela Norris, TW Pittman, Ghana/USA 2016) The Paradise Suite (d: Joost van Ginkel, Netherlands/Sweden/Bulgaria 2015) Rara (d: Pepa San Martín, Chile/Argentina 2016, North American Premiere) Sand Storm (d: Elite Zexer, Israel 2016) [caption id="attachment_10404" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Rúnar Rúnarsson's "Sparrows" Sparrows[/caption] Sparrows (d: Rúnar Rúnarsson, Iceland/Denmark/Croatia 2015) The Violators (d: Helen Walsh, United Kingdom 2015) Where Have All the Good Men Gone (d: René Frelle Petersen, Denmark 2016, World Premiere) Ibero-American Competition Awaiting (d: Daniela Fejerman, Spain/Lithuania 2015, North American Premiere) Deconstructing Dani García (d: Iñigo Ruiz, Alfonso Cortés-Cavanillas, Spain 2015, North American Premiere) How Most Things Work (d: Fernando Salem, Argentina 2015, US Premiere) Nueva Venecia (d: Emiliano Mazza de Luca, Colombia/Mexico/Uruguay 2016, US Premiere) The Pretty Ones (d: Melisa Liebenthal, Argentina 2016, North American Premiere) Red Gringo (d: Miguel Ángel Vidaurre, Chile 2016, North American Premiere) Warehoused (d: Jack Zagha, Mexico 2015, US Premiere) You’ll Never Be Alone (d: Alex Anwandter, Chile 2016, US Premiere) New American Cinema Competition 11:55 (d: Ari Issler, Ben Snyder, USA 2016) All the Birds Have Flown South (d: Joshua H. Miller, Miles B. Miller, USA 2016, World Premiere) Americana (d: Zachary Shedd, USA 2016, World Premiere) The Architect (d: Jonathan Parker, USA 2016, World Premiere) As You Are (d: Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, USA 2016) Claire in Motion (d: Lisa Robinson, Annie J. Howell, USA 2016) Free In Deed (d: Jake Mahaffy, USA/New Zealand 2015) Middle Man (d: Ned Crowley, USA 2016, World Premiere) The Night Stalker (d: Megan Griffiths, USA 2016, World Premiere) Transpecos (d: Greg Kwedar, USA 2016) Documentary Competition [caption id="attachment_13536" align="alignnone" width="1000"]The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin[/caption] The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin (d: Yves Montmayeur, France 2015, US Premiere) Action Comandante (d: Nadine Angel Cloete, South Africa/Lesotho 2016, World Premiere) Death By a Thousand Cuts (d: Juan Mejia Botero, Jake Kheel, USA 2016, US Premiere) Death by Design (d: Sue Williams, China/Ireland 2016, World Premiere) Finding Babel (d: David Novack, USA/Ukraine/Russia/France 2015, North American Premiere) The IF Project (d: Kathlyn Horan, USA 2016, World Premiere) Mr. Gaga (d: Tomer Heymann, Israel/Sweden/Germany/Netherlands 2015) Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale (d: Ben Bowie, Geoff Luck, USA/Botswana 2016, World Premiere) The Queen of Ireland (d: Conor Horgan, Ireland 2015, North American Premiere) The Revolution Won’t Be Televised (d: Rama Thiaw, Senegal 2016, US Premiere) Tsukiji Wonderland (d: Naotaro Endo, Japan 2016, World Premiere) We the People 2.0 (d: Leila Conners, USA 2016, World Premiere) Shorts Competition All short films shown at the Festival are eligible for both the Golden Space Needle Audience Award and Jury Award. Jurors will choose winners in the Narrative, Animation, and Documentary categories. Each jury winner will receive $2,500 and winners in any of the three categories may also qualify to enter the respective Short Film category of the Academy Awards® for the concurrent season without the theatrical run. Golden Space Needle Awards For the past 30 years, SIFF has celebrated its most popular films and filmmakers with the Golden Space Needle Audience Award. Awards by Festival audiences are given in five categories: Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Short Film.   AFRICAN PICTURES African Pictures showcases the best filmmaking happening in and about Africa today. This program, made possible through the generous support of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, will bring shorts and features, documentaries and fiction films to American audiences who might never have the chance to see them otherwise. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience innovative and inspiring filmmaking from across the continent. [caption id="attachment_13534" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Action Comandante Action Comandante[/caption] Action Comandante (d: Nadine Angel Cloete, South Africa/Lesotho 2016, 90 min) Aisha (d: Chande Omar c: Godliver Gordian, Adarusi Walii, Flora Nicholas, Juma Madenge, Tanzania 2015, 112 min) As I Open My Eyes (d: Leyla Bouzid c: Baya Medhaffer, Ghalia Benali, Montassar Ayari, Aymen Omrani, Lassaad Jamoussi, Tunisia/France/ Belgium/ United Arab Emirates 2015, 102 min) Atlantic Heart (d: Robbie McCallum c: Elton Medina, Aurizania Monteiro, Julio Brito, Christian Neves, José ‘Bana’ Delgado, Cape Verde/United Kingdom 2016, 87 min) Checks and Balances (d: Malek Bensmaïl f: Omar Belhouchet, Hacène Ouali, Hassene Moali, Mustapha Benfodil, Ali Benyahia, Algeria/France 2015, 97 min) Eye of the Storm (d: Sékou Traoré c: Maïmouna N’Diaye, Fargass Assandé, Abidine Dioari, Issaka Sawadogo, Burkina Faso/France 2015, 101 min) Lamb (d: Yared Zeleke c: Redial Amare, Kidist Siyum, Welela Assefa, Rahel Teshome, Surafel Teka, Ethiopia/France/Germany/Norway/Qatar 2015, 94 min) Much Loved (d: Nabil Ayouch c: Loubna Abidar, Asma Lazrak, Halima Karaouane, Sara Elmhamdi Elalaoui, Abdellah Didane, Morocco/France 2015, 103 min) Nakom (d: Kelly Daniela Norris, TW Pittman c: Jacob Ayanaba, Grace Ayariga, Justina Kulidu, James Azudago, Felicia Atampuri, Ghana/USA 2016, 90 min Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale (d: Ben Bowie, Geoff Luck, USA/Botswana 2016, 90 min) The Revolution Won’t Be Televised (d: Rama Thiaw, Senegal 2016, 110 min) CHINA STARS SIFF is proud to launch the China Stars Showcase series in Seattle during the 42nd annual Seattle International Film Festival, with support from WASA North America Group and Hainan Airlines. With the purpose of fostering cross-cultural exchange and artistic vision, SIFF has collaborated with WASA North America Group to select five wonderful feature films from mainland China to screen as part of the 2016 showcase series. These films will screen before audiences in Seattle, Renton, Shoreline, and on the Eastside at Bellevue’s Lincoln Square. The Big Road (d: Sun Yu c: Chen Yanyan, Zheng Junli, Li Lili, Liu Qiong, Jin Yan, China 1935, 104 min) Death by Design (d: Sue Williams f: Ted Smith, Ma Jun, Kyle Wiens, Luke Soules, Paul Maher, China/Ireland 2016, 73 min) The Final Master (d: Xu Haofeng c: Liao Fan, Song Jia, Jiang Wenli, Jin Shijie, Song Yang, China 2015, 109 min) Mountains May Depart (d: Jia Zhangke c: Zhao Tao, Zhang Yi, Liang Jin Dong, Dong Zijian, Sylvia Chang, China/Japan/France 2015, 131 min) Paths of the Soul (d: Zhang Yang c: Yang Pei, Nyima Zadui, Tsewang Dolkar, Tsring Chodron, Seba Jiangcuo, China 2015, 115 min) CULINARY CINEMA Popcorn is no longer king as the phenomenon of food culture has exploded into cinema. We’ve selected 9 extraordinary films that explore different aspects of taste and the senses for the cinematically inclined. Ants on a Shrimp (d: Maurice Dekkers f: René Redzepi, Lars Williams, Rosio Sanchez, Thomas Frebel, Dan Giusti, Netherlands 2016, 88 min) Bugs (d: Andreas Johnsen f: Ben Reade, Josh Evans, Roberto Flore, Denmark 2016, 76 min) Ceviche’s DNA (d: Orlando Arriagada f: José Antonio del Castillo, Victor Pimentel, Ulla Holmquist, Valentín Paso Purisaca, Santiago Uceda Castillo, Canada/Peru 2015, 85 min) Deconstructing Dani García (d: Iñigo Ruiz, Alfonso Cortés-Cavanillas, Spain 2015, 72 min) Hummus (d: Oren Rosenfeld f: Eliyahu Shmueli, Suheila Al Hindi, Jalil Dabit, Israel 2016, 70 min) Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story (d: Brett A. Schwartz f: Homaro Cantu, Richie Farina, Angela Cantu-Reeder, Trevor Rose-Hamblin, Mark Caro, Scott Trotter, USA 2016, 98 min) Sam Choy’s Poké to the Max screens with Harlem on My Plate (28 minutes) (d: Terrence Jeffrey Santos f: Sam Choy, Geo Quibuyen, Yuji Okumoto, Max Heigh, USA 2016, 40 min) Sustainable (d: Matt Wechsler f: Marty Travis, Greg Wade, Rick Bayless, Mark Bittman, John Ikerd, USA 2016, 96 min) Tsukiji Wonderland (d: Naotaro Endo f: Jiro Ono, Rene Redzepi, Theodore C. Bestor, Japan 2016, 110 min) FACE THE MUSIC Four out of five SIFF programmers agree that regular exposure to music and film are essential to your overall well-being. With that in mind, this year’s Face the Music program has been specifically designed to provide a holistic regimen for your audio-visual health. Taken together, these remedies are guaranteed to expand your visual and sonic parameters, as well as set you on the righteous path to living a more audio-visually conscious lifestyle, with optimal aural performance. [caption id="attachment_13491" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]BANG! THE BERT BERNS STORY BANG! The Bert Berns Story[/caption] BANG! The Bert Berns Story (d: Brett Berns, Bob Sarles f: Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Ronald Isley, Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, USA 2016, 94 min) Concerto – A Beethoven Journey (d: Phil Grabsky f: Leif Ove Andsnes, Gustavo Dudamel, United Kingdom 2015, 92 min) Contemporary Color (d: Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross f: David Byrne, Lucius, Nico Muhly, Ira Glass, Nelly Furtado, St.Vincent, Devonte Hynes, How To Dress Well, Zola Jesus, AD- Rock, Money Mark, tUnE-yArDs, USA 2016, 96 min) The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble (d: Morgan Neville f: Yo-Yo Ma, Wu Man, Kinan Azmeh, Kayhan Kalhor, Cristina Pato, USA 2015, 96 min) Presenting Princess Shaw (d: Ido Haar f: Kutiman, Samantha Montgomery, Israel 2015, 80 min) The Prince Sing Along Red Gringo (d: Miguel Ángel Vidaurre f: Dean Reed, José Roman, Gonzalo Planet, Chile 2016, 67 min) A Song For You: The Austin City Limits Story (d: Keith Maitland f: Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Ray Vaughan, Matthew McConaughey, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Beck, Ray Charles, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Guy, USA 2016, 91 min) We Are X (d: Stephen Kijak f: Yoshiki, Toshi, Pata, Hiroshi, USA/Japan/United Kingdom 2016, 89 min) NORTHWEST CONNECTIONS Seattleites see more films per capita than the residents of any other American city, and a growing number of these selections have their roots in the fertile Pacific Northwest film community. Each year, SIFF honors the many ways in which the Puget Sound region contributes to the world of cinema, whether as an evocative location for outside filmmakers or as inspiration for local filmmakers ready to strut their stuff. The Architect (d: Jonathan Parker c: Parker Posey, Eric McCormack, James Frain, John Carroll Lynch, USA 2016, 95 min) Big Sonia (d: Leah Warshawski, Todd Soliday f: Sonia Warshawski, USA 2016, 90 min) Finding Kim (d: Aaron Bear f: Kim B, Dan Savage, Buck Angel, Carmen Carrera, Calpernia Addams, Jamison Green, Dr. Tony Mangubat, USA 2016, 82 min) Finding October (d: Nick Terry c: Michael Ward, Karin Terry, Nick Terry, Delaney Berreth, Ryan Woodyard, USA 2016, 77 min) Full Court: The Spencer Haywood Story (d: Martin Spirit f: Spencer Haywood, Charles Barkley, Pat Riley, Lenny Wilkens, Chuck D, USA 2016, 90 min) Gold Balls (d: Kate Dandel f: John Powless, Ron Tonidandel, Bob Sherman, George McCabe, Marcus Freeman, Steve Tignor, USA 2016, 85 min) The IF Project (d: Kathlyn Horan f: Kim Bogucki, Renata Abramson, Tiffany Doll, Angela Vargas, LaKeisha “”KeWee”” Hamilton, USA 2016, 88 min) If There’s a Hell Below (d: Nathan Williams c: Carol Roscoe, Conner Marx, Mark Carr, Paul Budraitis, USA 2016, 94 min) The Memory of Fish (d: Jennifer Galvin, Sachi Cunningham Narrated by Lili Taylor, USA 2016, 54 min) A New High (d: Samuel Miron, Stephen Scott Scarpulla USA 2015, 100 min) Paralytic (d: Joey Johnson c: David S. Hogan, Darlene Sellers, Angela DiMarco, D’Angelo Midili, Richard Carmen, USA 2016, 87 min) Tiny: The Life of Erin Blackwell (d: Martin Bell f: Erin Blackwell, Mary Ellen Mark, USA 2016, 86 min)

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  • Seattle International Film Festival Unveils African Pictures Program Lineup

    [caption id="attachment_12865" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Senegalese documentary The Revolution Won’t Be Televised Senegalese documentary The Revolution Won’t Be Televised[/caption] The Seattle International Film Festival will continue its African Pictures program at the upcoming festival, thanks to a $25,000 FilmWatch grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Since 2013, African Pictures has presented 67 films from 37 countries, including 6 World premieres, 17 North American premieres, and 3 US premieres. Engaging once again with critical issues of our time, African Pictures for 2016 presents two looks at political unrest among youth with the thrilling first-hand Senegalese documentary The Revolution Won’t Be Televised, making its US Premiere at SIFF, and the touching Tunisian narrative drama As I Open My Eyes. Film festival veteran Lamb, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was Ethiopia’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Academy Awards, explores the different ways its young characters react and rebel when they encounter tradition and social status quo, in this enchanting directorial debut set against the breathtaking backdrop of east African countryside. SIFF alumna filmmaker Nadine Angel Cloete (short film Miseducation, SIFF 2013) will return to Seattle in person with the World Premiere of her first feature, Action Comandante, an eye-opening documentary about South African freedom fighter Ashley Kriel. The first African Pictures feature from Burkina Faso, multiple-award-winning Eye of the Storm, explores the issues, corruption, and damaging legacy surrounding child soldiers through the fictionalized tale of a war crimes trial. The full 2016 African Pictures lineup for SIFF 2016 is below. Feature Films Action Comandante d. Nadine Angel Cloete | South Africa, Lesotho 2016 | 90 min The sister of South African anti-apartheid freedom fighter Ashley Kriel, who was shot and killed by police at age 20, reflects on how he became a symbol of youth resistance in the 1980s. World Premiere Aisha d. Chande Omar | Tanzania 2015 | 112 min When a Tanzanian businesswoman experiences a brutal attack upon returning to her home village, she discovers that friends and family are willing to turn a blind eye to the abuse that women suffer and decides to fight for justice no matter the consequence. As I Open My Eyes d. Leyla Bouzid | Tunisia, France, Belgium, United Arab Emirates 2015 | 102 min On the eve of the Jasmine Revolution, a young Tunisian woman must balance the expectations of her family, who would love to see her go to medical school, with her creative life as a singer in a politically charged rock band that is just beginning to get noticed. Atlantic Heart d. Robbie McCallum | Cape Verde, United Kingdom 2016 | 87 min After losing their dog amid the chaos of Mardi Gras on the African island country of Cape Verde, teenage siblings Lucas and Telma begin a quest that leads them through bars, bordellos, and back streets, exposing them to the harsh realities of island life. Checks and Balances d. Malek Bensmaïl | Algeria, France 2015 | 97 min Experience firsthand the struggles and triumphs of fiercely independent Algerian newspaper El Watan, whose staff have been targets of attacks from both the government and Islamist insurgents, but who continue to fight for freedom of the press. North American Premiere Eye of the Storm d. Sékou Traoré | Burkina Faso, France 2015 | 101 min In a small African country, an idealistic lawyer reluctantly defends a rebel, and former child soldier, on trial for war crimes, and begins to understand the psychological ramifications and effects on adults of brainwashing youth for war. Lamb d. Yared Zeleke | Ethiopia, France, Germany, Norway, Qatar 2015 | 94 min After he is sent to live with his uncle in a small farming village, 9-year-old Ephraim must protect his beloved pet lamb from a traditional holiday sacrifice. Meanwhile, his headstrong female cousin challenges customs in her own way. Much Loved d. Nabil Ayouch | Morocco, France 2015 | 103 min Banned in Morocco due to its controversial content, Much Loved tells the stories of four sex workers in Marrakesh operating on the margins of society. From Nabil Ayouch, the Golden Space Needle Award-winning director of Horses of God (SIFF 2013). Nakom d. Kelly Daniela Norris, TW Pittman | Ghana, USA 2016 | 90 min Talented medical student Iddrisu returns to his native Ghanaian village after his father’s death only to be dragged back into family obligations in an intimate yet universal story of the struggles between tradition and progress, family and career. The Revolution Won’t Be Televised d. Rama Thiaw | Senegal 2016 | 110 min In a campaign to unseat president Abdoulaye Wade, three young Senegalese rappers began a protest movement called “We Are Fed Up,” taking their message across Dakar to spread a message of freedom and emphasizing the importance of voting through their rap music. US Premiere Short Films Alive & Kicking: The Soccer Grannies of South Africa d. Lara-Ann de Wet | USA, South Africa 2016 | 20 min Awa’s Dream d. Zena Zeidan, Yancouba Dième | Senegal 2015 | 5 min US Premiere Battalion To My Beat d. Eimi Imanishi | USA, Algeria, Western Sahara 2016 | 14 min Hope d. Aïda Senna | Morocco 2015 | 15 min North American Premiere New Eyes d. Hiwot Admasu | France, Great Britain 2015 | 12 min US Premiere Thunderstruck d. Brent Dawes | South Africa 2016 | 5 min

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  • THE DARK HORSE, ROMEO IS BLEEDING Win Top Awards at 2015 Seattle International Film Festival

    The Dark Horse, directed by James Napier Robertson The 2015 Seattle International Film Festival announced the winners of the 2015 Golden Space Needle Audience and Competition Awards. The Dark Horse, directed by James Napier Robertson is the big winner, taking the Golden Space Needle Audience Award for Best Film, and Best Actor for Cliff Curtis.  In The Dark Horse – winner of six New Zealand Film Awards including Best Picture, Director, and Actor – Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider) gives a stunning and inspirational performance as New Zealand legend Genesis Potini, a bipolar speed chess champion who helps turn around the lives of some 15,000 Maori children by teaching them the intricacies the game. Other winners include Alfonso Gomez-Rejon of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” wins Best Director,  “Romeo is Bleeding” wins Best Documentary; Nina Hoss (“Phoenix”) wins Best Actress, “Liza, The Fox-Fairy,” “The Great Alone,” and “Chatty Catties” Win Grand Jury Prize Awards for Best New Director, Documentary and New American Film Carl Spence, SIFF’s Artistic Director, says, “Our 41st Festival was another fantastic celebration of storytelling in all its forms. We presented everything from the storied cinematic past (archival screenings celebrating Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation and live read of the late Stewart Stern’s Rebel Without a Cause), to the iconic (Kevin Bacon!), to the independent (Jason Schwartzman and his new comedy 7 Chinese Brothers). With a record 92 countries represented this year and sold-out shows every night, this year’s Festival was bigger than ever, but it also fittingly included a proper send-off of an iconic movie house, the Harvard Exit. It also highlighted Seattle’s great continuing movie houses including our own SIFF Cinema Egyptian and SIFF Cinema Uptown. And I love that we bookended the Festival this year with two stellar comedies, kicking off with our Opening Night film Spy (the number one movie in America this weekend) and finishing with our hilarious Closing Night indie The Overnight. Starting and ending with laughter while traveling the world in between is a great way to mark another whirlwind 25-day celebration of cinema.” SIFF 2015 GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AUDIENCE AWARDS SIFF celebrates its films and filmmakers with the Golden Space Needle Audience Awards. Selected by Festival audiences, awards are given in five categories: Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Short Film. This year, nearly 90,000 ballots were submitted. GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST FILM The Dark Horse, directed by James Napier Robertson (New Zealand 2014) First runner-up: Inside Out, directed by Pete Docter (USA 2015) Second runner-up: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (USA 2015) Third runner-up: Shaun the Sheep, directed by Richard Starzak, Mark Burton (UK 2015) Fourth runner-up: Good Ol’ Boy, directed by Frank Lotito (USA 2015) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY Romeo is Bleeding, directed by Jason Zeldes (USA 2015) First runner-up: Paper Tigers, directed by James Redford (USA 2015) Second runner-up: The Glamour & The Squalor, directed by Marq Evans (USA 2015) Third runner-up: The Great Alone, directed by Greg Kohs (USA 2015) Fourth runner-up: Frame by Frame, directed by Mo Scarpelli, Alexandria Bombach (Afghanistan 2014) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST DIRECTOR Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (USA 2015) First runner-up: George Ovashvili, Corn Island (Georgia 2014) Second runner-up: Peter Greenaway, Eisenstein in Guanajuato (Netherlands 2015) Third runner-up: Susanne Bier, ASecond Chance (Denmark 2014) Fourth runner-up: Ross Partridge, Lamb (USA 2015) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST ACTOR Cliff Curtis, The Dark Horse (New Zealand 2014) First runner-up: Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes (UK 2015) Second runner-up: Jason Segel, End of the Tour (USA 2014) Third runner-up: Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon, Henri Henri (Canada (Québec) 2014) Fourth runner-up: Jacir Eid, Theeb (Jordan 2014) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST ACTRESS Nina Hoss, Phoenix (Germany 2014) First runner-up: Kalki Koechlin, Margarita, with a Straw (India 2014) Second runner-up: Rebecka Josephson, My Skinny Sister (Sweden 2015) Third runner-up: Regina Case, The Second Mother (Brazil 2015) Fourth runner-up: Ghita Nørby, Key House Mirror (Denmark 2015) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST SHORT FILM Even the Walls, directed by Sarah Kuck, Saman Maydáni (USA 2015) First runner-up: Submarine Sandwich, directed by PES (USA 2014) Second runner-up: Stealth, directed by Bennett Lasseter (USA 2014) Third runner-up: Personal Development, directed by Tom Sullivan (Ireland 2015) Fourth runner-up: Bihttoš, directed by Elie-Máijá Tailfeathers (Canada 2014) LENA SHARPE AWARD FOR PERSISTENCE OF VISION Frame by Frame, directed by Mo Scarpelli, Alexandria Bombach (Afghanistan 2014) This award is given to the female director’s film that receives the most votes in public balloting at the Festival. Lena Sharpe was co-founder and managing director of Seattle’s Festival of Films by Women Directors and a KCTS-TV associate who died in a plane crash while on assignment. As a tribute to her efforts in bringing the work of women filmmakers to prominence, SIFF created this special award and asked Women in Film Seattle to bestow it. SIFF 2015 COMPETITION AWARDS SIFF announced three Competition Awards for Best New Director, Best Documentary, and Best New American Film (FIPRESCI). Winners in each juried competition received $2,500 in cash, while the New American Cinema competition winner was also awarded the FIPRESCI prize. SIFF 2015 BEST NEW DIRECTOR GRAND JURY PRIZE Liza, the Fox-Fairy (Hungary 2015), directed by Károly Ujj-Mészáros JURY STATEMENT: For its lively, inventive visual wit and offbeat look at romantic delusion involving a haunted Hungarian nurse, a long-suffering police sergeant, and the ghost of a ’50s Japanese pop singer, we have given this year’s New Directors Prize to Károly Ujj-Mészáros. SPECIAL JURY MENTION Corrections Class (Russia/Germany 2014), directed by Ivan I. Tverdovsky JURY STATEMENT: For the director’s brave and unflinching handling of a young ensemble. Festival programmers select 12 films remarkable for their original concept, striking style, and overall excellence. To be eligible, films must be a director’s first or second feature and without U.S. distribution at the time of their selection. The New Directors Jury is comprised of Brandon Harris (Filmmaker Magazine), Amy Nicholson (L.A. Weekly), and Alison Willmore (Buzzfeed). 2015 Entries: A Blast (d: Syllas Tzoumerkas, Greece/Germany/Netherlands 2014, North American Premiere) Bonifacio (d: Enzo Williams, Philippines 2014, North American Premiere) Corrections Class (d: Ivan I. Tverdovsky, Russia/Germany 2014, North American Premiere) Liza, the Fox-Fairy (d: Károly Ujj-Mészáros, Hungary 2015, North American Premiere) Love, Theft and Other Entanglements (d: Muayad Alayan, Palestine 2015, North American Premiere) A Matter of Interpretation (d: Kwang-kuk Lee, South Korea 2014, North American Premiere) Morbayassa (d: Cheick Fantamady Camara, Guinea 2015, North American Premiere) My Skinny Sister (d: Sanna Lenken, Sweden/Germany 2015, North American Premiere) Short Skin (d: Duccio Chiarini, Italy 2014, North American Premiere) Under Construction (d: Rubaiyat Hossain, Bangladesh 2015, World Premiere) Vincent (d: Thomas Salvador, France 2014) Waterline (d: Michal Otlowski, Poland 2014, North American Premiere) SIFF 2015 BEST DOCUMENTARY GRAND JURY PRIZE The Great Alone (USA 2015), directed by Greg Kohs JURY STATEMENT: Our Grand Jury Prize goes to a film that stopped all of us in our tracks. One of the joys of the film festival experience is discovering a film that works so well on every level. This is an inspiring film about one man’s story that is both intimate and epic – we were knocked out by the filmmaker’s achievement in crafting a visually stunning, completely engrossing narrative about one extraordinary human being. SPECIAL JURY PRIZES Romeo is Bleeding (USA 2015), directed by Jason Zeldes JURY STATEMENT: For its strength in demonstrating the power of art to change lives. Sergio Herman: F**king Perfect (Netherlands 2015), directed by Willemiek Kluijfhout JURY STATEMENT: Which we found to be an exquisitely made film about a FUCKING PERFECT artist. Unscripted and uncut, the world is a resource of unexpected, informative, and altogether exciting storytelling. Documentary filmmakers have, for years, brought these untold stories to life and introduced us to a vast number of fascinating topics we may have never known existed-let alone known were so fascinating. The Documentary Jury is comprised of Jannat Gargi (Vulcan Productions), Janet Pierson (SXSW), and Anne Rosellini (producer, Stray Dog, Winter’s Bone). 2015 Entries: Cooking Up a Tribute (d: Luis González & Andrea Gómez, Spain 2015, North American Premiere) Dreams Rewired (d: Martin Reinhart, Thomas Tode, & Manu Luksch, Austria 2015, North American Premiere) The Glamour & The Squalor (d: Marq Evans, USA 2015, World Premiere) The Great Alone (d: Greg Kohs, USA 2015, World Premiere) In Utero (d: Kathleen Gyllenhaal, USA 2015, World Premiere) License to Operate (d: James Lipetzky, USA 2015, World Premiere) Mountain Spirits (d: Singing Chen & Kuo-Liang Chiang, Taiwan 2014, US Premiere) Paper Tigers (d: James Redford, USA 2015, World Premiere) Romeo Is Bleeding (d: Jason Zeldes, USA 2015) Sergio Herman, F**KING PERFECT (d: Willemiek Kluijfhout, Netherlands 2015, North American Premiere) War of Lies (d: Matthias Bittner, Germany 2014, US Premiere) SIFF 2015 BEST NEW AMERICAN CINEMA GRAND JURY PRIZE Chatty Catties (USA 2015), directed by Pablo Valencia JURY STATEMENT: The FIPRESCI jury at the 41st edition of the Seattle International Film Festival bestows its International Critics’ Prize to a film that – with an enormous amount of risk-taking – innovatively expands stylistic and narrative boundaries. With a fresh view on intimate relationships, director Pablo Valencia creates an unexpected and utterly original emotional landscape in Chatty Catties. Festival programmers select 9 films without U.S. distribution that are sure to delight audiences looking to explore the exciting vanguard of New American Cinema and compete for the FIPRESCI Award for Best New American Film. The New American Cinema Jury is comprised of members of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI): Pamela Cohn, André Roy, and Dennis West. 2015 Entries: Chatty Catties (d: Pablo Valencia, USA 2015, World Premiere) Circle (d: Aaron Hann & Mario Miscione, USA 2015, World Premiere) Fourth Man Out (d: Andrew Nackman, USA 2015, World Premiere) Front Cover (d: Ray Yeung, USA 2015, World Premiere) Good Ol’ Boy (d: Frank Lotito, USA 2015, World Premiere) Happy 40th (d: Madoka Raine, USA 2015, World Premiere) Me Him Her (d: Max Landis, USA 2015, World Premiere) A Rising Tide (d: Ben Hickernell, USA 2015, World Premiere) Those People (d: Joey Kuhn, USA 2015, World Premiere) SIFF 2015 FUTUREWAVE AND YOUTH JURY AWARDS YOUTH JURY AWARD FOR BEST FUTUREWAVE FEATURE Seoul Searching (USA/South Korea 2015), directed by Benson Lee JURY STATEMENT: For its diverse and relatable characters, quality mix of emotion and comedy, and accurate and respectful representation of teens, the 2015 FutureWave Youth Jury Prize goes to Seoul Searching. YOUTH JURY AWARD FOR BEST FILMS4FAMILIES FEATURE When Marnie Was There (Japan 2014), directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi JURY STATEMENT: For its beautiful and detailed animation, realistic sound design, and original, bittersweet tale of mystery the Films4Families Jury awards When Marnie Was There. WAVEMAKER AWARD (GRAND PRIZE) In recognition of superior artistic and technical achievement. Audio Input(USA), directed by Sho Schrock-Manabe JURY STATEMENT: For its insightful and engaging portrait of podcasting, an audio art form, through a collage of interviews and images. FUTUREWAVE AUDIENCE AWARD Minimum Max (USA), directed by Josh Ovalle PRODIGY CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS Each winner will be awarded a $1000 scholarship to the Prodigy Camp. I’m Not Here (South Africa), directed by Jack Markovitz Minimum Max (USA), directed by Josh Ovalle SIFF 2015 SHORT FILM JURY AWARDS All short films shown at the Festival are eligible for both the Golden Space Needle Audience Award and Jury Award. Jurors will choose winners in the Narrative, Animation, and Documentary categories. Each jury winner will receive $1,000 and winners in any of the three categories may also qualify to enter their respective films in the Short Film category of the Academy Awards®. LIVE ACTION GRAND JURY PRIZE The Chicken (Croatia, Germany), directed by Una Gunjak JURY STATEMENT: An expertly crafted narrative that explores life and death through the eyes of a young girl. With a film full of authentic performances, Iman Alibalic is extraordinary as the six-year-old protagonist who receives a live chicken from her father for her birthday, and soon realizes it’s meant for dinner. This is an emotional film with a production quality that continues to move the story along and underscore the realities of life in a war zone. SPECIAL JURY PRIZE Hole (Canada), directed by Martin Edralin JURY STATEMENT: Hole is a brave exploration of human sexuality and yearning for intimacy through the eyes of a lonely, forgotten, disabled man in the heart of Toronto. Ken Harrower delivers a captivating performance that transcends any labels or limitations and speaks to the need for human connection. DOCUMENTARY GRAND JURY PRIZE Bihttos (Canada), directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers JURY STATEMENT: For its ambitious approaches to visual storytelling and imaginative recounting of an exceptional family history. ANIMATION GRAND JURY PRIZE The Mill at Calder’s End (USA), directed by Kevin McTurk JURY STATEMENT: There exists a tendency to laud the new-new stories, new techniques, new talent. With the animation award, the jury is pleased to celebrate a film that is decidedly old-school, breathing life into a bygone style, iterating in a story tradition that is centuries old. For this fusion of the modern and classic, we are happy to award Kevin McTurk for The Mill at Calder’s End. Short Film Juries 2015: Live Action: Stefanie Malone (NFFTY), Bobby McHugh (World Famous), and Tracy Rector (Longhouse Media). Documentary and Animation: Courtney Sheehan (Northwest Film Forum), Jason Sondhi (Vimeo curator), Alex Stonehill (Seattle Globalist).

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  • 8 Classic Films from Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation to Screen at 2015 Seattle International Film Festival

    Black Girl (La Noire de...) Ousmane Sembène Eight classic films from Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation will screen at this year’s 2015 Seattle International Film Festival running May 14 through June 7, 2015. Taking place during the final week of the Festival are the North American premieres of two restored films: 1966’s Black Girl (La Noire de…) (pictured above) from “the father of African cinema” Ousmane Sembène on June 1 and 1978’s Alyam, Alyam from Moroccan master Ahmed El Maanoui on June 7. Established in 1990 by Martin Scorsese, The Film Foundation is dedicated to protecting and preserving motion picture history and has helped to restore over 620 films in the last 25 years. Carl Spence, SIFF’s Artistic Director, says, “Martin Scorsese has been shining a light on the urgent work of film preservation through The Film Foundation for 25 years. Through his efforts, we are able to publicly showcase these films from around the world that audiences would not otherwise have a chance to see projected on a big screen. The enthusiastic response from SIFF audiences is a testament to our belief that movie lovers from all walks of life want to experience films in cinemas. It is also fitting that we are presenting the North American premieres of two films from Africa – it pairs nicely with the 12 contemporary features being presented in our African Pictures spotlight.” Jennifer Ahn, Managing Director of The Film Foundation, says, “We are delighted that the Seattle International Film Festival is focusing on the importance of film preservation with its tribute to The Film Foundation’s 25th Anniversary. We’re especially pleased that the festival is presenting two remarkable works of global cinema: Black Girl (1966), directed by Senegal’s Ousmane Sembène and Alyam, Alyam (1978) by Moroccan filmmaker Ahmed El Maanouni. These films were restored through The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, and we welcome this opportunity to collaborate with SIFF on their international premieres.” Still to play: Alyam, Alyam Morocco | 1978 | 80 minutes | Ahmed El Maanouni Following his father’s death, Abdelwahad is expected to provide for his mother and his seven brothers. But faced with the cycle of poverty that rural farmers seem doomed to repeat, he dares to hope for something better. Restoration by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Also played at SIFF 2015: Black Girl Senegal | 1966 | 65 minutes | Ousmane Sembène This 1966 film explores the complex dynamics and larger post-colonial implications that arise between a young Senegalese maid and the French family that employs her. This quiet, observational drama was esteemed African filmmaker Ousmane Sembène’s first feature film. Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Caught USA | 1949 | 88 minutes | Max Ophüls A model (Barbara Bel Geddes), a sociopathic millionaire (Robert Ryan), and a sympathetic pediatrician (James Mason) engage in a fraught romantic power struggle in Max Ophüls’ 1949 noir, only one of four movies the esteemed director made in the United States. The Color of the Pomegranates Armenia | 1969 | 77 minutes | Sergei Parajanov Sergei Parajanov’s empirical masterpiece loosely follows the life of Sayat Nova, “King of Song,” an Armenian poet and musician born in the 18th century, through vibrant sets and costumes and hypnotic shots. This colorful and avant-garde masterpiece provides an utterly transformative cinematic experience. The Dark Mirror USA | 1946 | 85 minutes | Robert Siodmak Robert Siodmak’s 1946 psychological thriller follows a pair of identical twins with dueling personalities, one of which is a suspect in the murder of a doctor. The Dark Mirror dips into terrifying evil doppelganger territory, while at the same time hitting all the disturbing aspects of an effective melodrama. The Old Dark House USA | 1932 | 71 minutes | James Whale Long thought a lost film, this cult masterpiece from director James Whale (Frankenstein) is a twisted gothic thriller, equal parts macabre nightmare and camp farce, about three lost travelers who seek shelter in a crumbling Welsh manor. 35mm restoration by the Library of Congress with funding provided by The Film Foundation. Rebel Without a Cause USA | 1955 | 111 minutes | Nicholas Ray That iconic red motorcycle jacket. An apron-wearing father. The brutal intensity of James Dean’s face, and Natalie Wood’s nurturing touch. This classic drama by renowned director Nicolas Ray is perhaps the perfectly crafted teen angst film, catapulting Dean’s short-lived film career and guaranteed to tear you apart. The Red Shoes United Kingdom | 1948 | 133 minutes | Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell Moira Shearer stars in this seminal 1948 drama from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, one of the most highly regarded dance films in cinema history, about a young woman who works her way up the ladder of a prestigious ballet company. Playing as part of STG Presents Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays in June: The Mark of Zorro (d: Fred Niblo, 1920) My Best Girl (d: Sam Taylor, 1927) The Unholy Three (d: Tod Browning, 1925) Snow White (d: J. Searle Dawley, 1916)

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  • “The Chicken” “Bihttoš” Win Short Film Awards at 2015 Seattle International Film Festival

    The Chicken directed by Una Gunjak The 2015 Seattle International Film Festival announced today this year’s ShortsFest Jury Award winners. The Chicken (pictured above), directed by Una Gunjak, and described by the jury as an expertly crafted narrative that explores life and death through the eyes of a young girl, is the winner of the Grand Jury Prize, Live Action Short Film. Bihttoš, an unconventional documentary that explores the complex relationship between a father and daughter, directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers won the Grand Jury Prize Documentary Short Film.  This years Festival running May 14 through June 7, features 164 short films, including 25 World, 18 North American, and 11 US premieres. ShortsFest jurors chose winners in the Live Action, Animation, and Documentary categories. All ShortsFest films shown at the Festival are also eligible for Golden Space Needle Audience Awards. Each ShortsFest Grand Jury winner will receive $1,000, and the winners in the three categories are eligible for the Academy Awards® in their respective Short Film category (Live Action, Animated, or Documentary). SIFF 2015 SHORTSFEST AWARD WINNERS LIVE ACTION GRAND JURY PRIZE The Chicken (Croatia, Germany), directed by Una Gunjak JURY STATEMENT: An expertly crafted narrative that explores life and death through the eyes of a young girl. With a film full of authentic performances, Iman Alibalic is extraordinary as the six-year-old protagonist who receives a live chicken from her father for her birthday, and soon realizes it’s meant for dinner. This is an emotional film with a production quality that continues to move the story along and underscore the realities of life in a war zone. SPECIAL JURY MENTION Hole (Canada), directed by Martin Edralin JURY STATEMENT: Hole is a brave exploration of human sexuality and yearning for intimacy through the eyes of a lonely, forgotten, disabled man in the heart of Toronto. Ken Harrower delivers a captivating performance that transcends any labels or limitations and speaks to the need for human connection. DOCUMENTARY GRAND JURY PRIZE Bihttoš (Canada), directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers JURY STATEMENT: For its ambitious approaches to visual storytelling and imaginative recounting of an exceptional family history. ANIMATION GRAND JURY PRIZE The Mill at Calder’s End (USA), directed by Kevin McTurk JURY STATEMENT: There exists a tendency to laud the new-new stories, new techniques, new talent. With the animation award, the jury is pleased to celebrate a film that is decidedly old-school, breathing life into a bygone style, iterating in a story tradition that is centuries old. For this fusion of the modern and classic, we are happy to award Kevin McTurk for The Mill at Calder’s End. FUTUREWAVE SHORTS AWARDS “WAVEMAKER AWARD (GRAND PRIZE) In recognition of superior artistic and technical achievement. Audio Input (USA), directed by Sho Schrock-Manabe JURY STATEMENT: For its insightful and engaging portrait of podcasting, an audio art form, through a collage of interviews and images. PRODIGY CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS Each winner will be awarded a $1000 scholarship to the Prodigy Camp. I’m Not Here (South Africa), directed by Jack Markovitz Minimum Max (USA), directed by Josh Ovalle

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  • 2015 Seattle International Film Festival Reveals Full Lineup, THE OVERNIGHT to Close Fest

    Patrick Brice's THE OVERNIGHT The Seattle International Film Festival revealed the complete lineup of films, guests, and events for the 41st annual Festival taking place May 14 to June 7, 2015. This year, SIFF will screen 450 films representing 92 countries: 193 features (plus 4 secret films), 70 documentaries, 19 archival films, and 164 shorts. The films include 49 World premieres (23 features, 26 shorts), 51 North American premieres (33 features, 18 shorts), and 18 US premieres (7 features, 11 shorts). The Festival is bookended by two comedies: 20th Century Fox’s Spy, a critics’ favorite from the team behind Bridesmaids, director Paul Feig and star Melissa McCarthy, and The Orchard’s The Overnight (pictured above), the “grown-up play date” tale from up-and-coming director Patrick Brice that stars Jason Schwartzman, Taylor Schilling, Judith Godrèche, and Adam Scott. In addition, SIFF 2015 Tribute Guest and prolific actor Kevin Bacon will be presented with the Festival’s Career Achievement in Acting Award and interviewed on stage in conjunction with Focus World’s Cop Car. Screenings of classics Footloose and Diner will also be held in celebration of his body of work. An Evening with Jason Schwartzman will feature an on-stage interview and a screening of Bob Byington’s 7 Chinese Brothers, in which he stars with his real-life French bulldog, Arrow. SIFF 2015 will also present popular recurring programs of films like African Pictures (made possible by a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), Face the Music, Northwest Connections, and Catalyst – as well as launching a new section, Culinary Cinema, which will include special dinner pairings in partnership with local restaurants. This year’s gala, premiere, and special presentation films feature a star-studded line-up including Max Landis’ directorial debut Me Him Her with Luke Bracey, Dustin Milligan, Emily Meade, Scott Bakula and Geena Davis; Chris Evans in Before We Go; Julie Benz in Circle; Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segal in the Centerpiece Gala film End of the Tour; Jason Lee in Good Ol’ Boy; Pixar’s Inside Out directed by Pete Docter; John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks in Love & Mercy; Nick Offerman and Connie Britton in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl; Ian McKellan and Laura Linney in Mr. Holmes; Jemaine Clement and Regina Hall in People, Places, Things; Hunter Parrish and Tim Daly in A Rising Tide; Stephen Fry and Hugh Jackman in That Sugar Film; and Billy Zane and Kevin Alejandro in West of Redemption. FEATURE FILM PREMIERES 2045 Carnival Folklore (d: Naoki Kato c: Junya Ishii, Misaki Oka, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideyuki Okamoto, Ryo Hamamoto, Japan 2015, 100 min) Beach Town (d: Erik Hammen c: Sarah Winsor, Ahren Buhmann, Riley Neldam, Kenna Kettrick, William Poole, USA 2015, 72 min) Chatty Catties (d: Pablo Valencia c: Megan Hensley, Matthew Grathwol, John Autry II, Julia Holter, Jennie Russ Tamblyn, USA 2015, 85 min) Circle (d: Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione c: Julie Benz, Mercy Malick, Carter Jenkins, Lisa Pelikan, Cesar Garcia, USA 2015, 87 min) Fourth Man Out (d: Andrew Nackman c: Evan Todd, Parker Young, Chord Overstreet, Jon Gabrus, Kate Flannery, USA 2015, 95 min) Front Cover (d: Ray Yeung c: Jake Choi, James Chen, USA 2015, 86 min) The Glamour & The Squalor (d: Marq Evans f: Marco Collins, Shirley Manson, Macklemore, Ben Gibbard, Mike McCready, USA 2015, 82 min) The Golden Hill (d: Rajan Kathet c: Tsewang Rinzin Gurung, Yeshi Choeden, Kunga Tashi, Mentok Gurung, Nepal 2015, 74 min) Good Ol’ Boy (d: Frank Lotito c: Jason Lee, Anjul Nigam, Brighton Sharbino, Hilarie Burton, Roni Akurati, USA 2015, 104 min) The Great Alone (d: Greg Kohs f: Lance Mackey, Dick Mackey, Kathie Smith, USA 2015, 84 min) Happy 40th (d: Madoka Raine c: Yvonne Woods, Brian Slaten, Madoka Raine, Jenni Blong, Robyn Cohen, USA 2015, 100 min) The Hollow One (d: Nathan Hendrickson c: Kate Alden, Jesse James, Chelsea Farthing, Tony Doupé, Tonya Skoog, USA 2015, 97 min) In Utero (d: Kathleen Gyllenhaal, USA 2015, 84 min) License to Operate (d: James Lipetzky f: Aquil Basheer, Kenneth Jones, Alfred Lomas III, Reynaldo Reaser, Stinson Brown, USA 2015, 103 min) Me Him Her (d: Max Landis c: Luke Bracey, Dustin Milligan, Emily Meade, Scott Bakula, Geena Davis, USA 2015, 98 min) Paper Tigers (d: James Redford, USA 2015, 102 min) The Primary Instinct (d: David Chen f: Stephen Tobolowsky, USA 2015, 73 min) A Rising Tide (d: Ben Hickernell c: Hunter Parrish, Ashley Hinshaw, Tim Daly, Victor Slezak, Jonathan Togo, USA 2015, 98 min) Those People (d: Joey Kuhn c: Jonathan Gordon, Jason Ralph, Haaz Sleiman, Britt Lower, Meghann Fahy, USA 2015, 89 min) Under Construction (d: Rubaiyat Hossain c: Shahana Goswami, Mita Rahman, Rikita Shimu, Rahul Bose, Bangladesh 2015, 88 min) The Village (d: Levan Tutberidze c: Crystal Bennett, Tornike Bziava, Mikheil Gomiashvili, Georgia 2015, 112 min) West of Redemption (d: Cornelia Duryee Moore c: Billy Zane, Kevin Alejandro, Mariana Klaveno, USA 2015, 90 min) Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories (d: Phan Dang Di c: Do Thi Hai Yen, Nguyen Ha Phong, Le Cong Hoang, Truong The Vinh, Mai Quoc Viet, Vietnam/France/Germany 2015, 102 min) A Blast (d: Syllas Tzoumerkas c: Angeliki Papoulia, Vassilis Doganis, Maria Filini, Themis Bazaka, Yorgos Biniaris, Greece/Germany/Netherlands 2014, 83 min) The Blue Hour (d: Anucha Boonyawatana c: Atthaphan Poonsawas, Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang, Duangjai Hirunsri, Chaowalit Teangsap, Nithiroj Simkamtorn, Thailand 2015, 96 min) The Boda Boda Thieves (d: Donald Mugisha c: Hassan Insingoma, Prossy Rukundo, Saul Mwesigwa, Michael Wawuyo, Peace Birungi, Uganda/Kenya/South Africa/Germany 2015, 85 min) Bonifacio (d: Enzo Williams c: Robin Padilla, Vina Morales, Daniel Padilla, Eddie Garcia, Cholo Barretto, Philippines 2014, 105 min) Breathe Umphefumlo (d: Mark Dornford-May c: Pauline Malefane, Sifiso Lupuzi, Zebulon Mmusi, Mhlekazi Moseia, Busisiwe Ngejane, South Africa/United Kingdom/Germany 2015, 89 min) Cherry Tobacco (d: Andres Maimik, Katrin Maimik c: Maris Nõlvak, Gert Raudsep, Getter Meresmaa, Anne Reemann, Maarja Jakobson, Estonia 2014, 93 min) The Coffin in the Mountain (d: Yukun Xin c: Weimin Huo, Xiaotian Wang, Yun Luo, Yuzen Yang, Li Sun, China 2014, 119 min) Cooking Up a Tribute (d: Luis González, Andrea Gómez f: Joan Roca, Josep Roca, Jordi Roca, Spain 2015, 87 min) Corrections Class (d: Ivan I. Tverdovsky c: Maria Poezhaeva, Filipp Avdeev, Nikita Kukushkin, Artem Markaryan, Irina Vilkova, Russia/Germany 2014, 98 min) Dreams Rewired (d: Martin Reinhart, Thomas Tode, Manu Luksch n: Tilda Swinton, Austria 2015, 85 min) Eisenstein in Guanajuato (d: Peter Greenaway c: Elmer Bäck, Luis Alberti, Rasmus Slatis, Jacob Öhrman, Maya Zapata, Netherlands/Mexico/Belgium/ Finland 2015, 105 min) Fassbinder – To Love Without Demands (d: Christian Braad Thomsen f: Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Irm Hermann, Harry Baer, Lilo Pempeit, Denmark 2015, 109 min) The Fire (d: Juan Schnitman c: Pilar Gamboa, Juan Barberini, Luciano Suardi, Marcelo D’ Andrea, Andrea Garrote, Argentina 2015, 95 min) Hedi Schneider Is Stuck (d: Sonja Heiss c: Laura Tonke, Hans Löw, Leander Nitsche, Germany/Norway 2015, 92 min) How To Win At Checkers (Every Time) (d: Josh Kim c: Thira Chutikul, Ingkarat Damrongsakkul, Natarat Lakha, Thailand/USA/Indonesia/Hong Kong, 2015, 80 min) The Invisible Boy (d: Gabriele Salvatores c: Ludovico Girardello, Valeria Golino, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Christo Jivkov, Noa Zatta, Italy 2014, 100 min) Key House Mirror (d: Michael Noer c: Ghita Nørby, Sven Wollter, Trine Pallesen, Jens Brenaa, Denmark 2015, 94 min) Kid Kulafu (d: Paul Soriano c: Buboy Villar, Alessandra de Rossi, Cesar Montano, Philippines 2015, 108 min) Little Forest – Winter / Spring (d: Junichi Mori c: Ai Hashimoto,Takahiro Miura, Mayu Matsuoka, Yoichi Nukumizu, Karen Kirishima, Japan 2015, 120 min) Liza, the Fox-Fairy (d: Károly Ujj-Mészáros c: Mónika Balsai, David Sakurai, Piroska Molnár, Zoltán Schmied, Gábor Reviczky, Hungary 2015, 98 min) Love Among the Ruins (d: Massimo Alì Mohammad c: Mary Di Tommaso, Massimo Malucelli, Stefano Muroni, Filippo Parma, Edoardo Siravo, Italy/USA 2015, 71 min) Love, Theft and Other Entanglements (d: Muayad Alayan c: Sami Metwasi, Maya Abu Alhayyat, Riyad Sliman, Ramzi Maqdisi, Kamel Elbasha, Palestine 2015, 93 min) A Matter of Interpretation (d: Lee Kwang-kuk c: Shin Dong-Mi, Kim Kang-Hyun, Yu Jun-Sang, South Korea 2014, 99 min) Morbayassa (d: Cheick Fantamady Camara c: Fatoumata Diawara, Claire Simba, Brigette Masure, Guinea 2015, 124 min) My Skinny Sister (d: Sanna Lenken c: Rebecka Josephson, Amy Deasismont, Annika Hallin, Henrik Norlén, Maxim Mehmet, Sweden/Germany 2015, 95 min) Name Me (d: Nigina Sayfullayeva c: Konstantin Lavronenko, Alexandra Bortich, Marina Vasilieva, Russia 2014, 91 min) Pioneer Heroes (d: Natalya Kudryashova c: Natalya Kudryashova, Daria Moroz, Alexey Mitin, Russia 2015, 115 min) Sergio Herman, F**KING PERFECT (d: Willemiek Kluijfhout, Netherlands 2015, 80 min) Sherry & The Mystery of Palo Cortado (d: José-Luis López-Linares, Spain 2015, 87 min) Short Skin (d: Duccio Chiarini c: Matteo Creatini, Francesca Agostini, Nicola Nocchi, Miriana Raschillà, Bianca Ceravolo, Italy 2014, 86 min) Sugarcane Shadows (d: David Constantin d: Raj Bumma, Dany Bhowaneedin, Nalini Aubeeluck, Jean-Claude Catheya, Mauritius/France 2014, 88 min) Waterline (d: Michal Otlowski c: Jowita Budnik, Sebastian Fabijanski, Mariusz Bonaszewski, Lukasz Simlat, Michal Zurawski, Poland 2014, 94 min) Atlantic. (d: Jan-Willem van Ewijk c: Fettah Lamara, Thekla Reuten, Mohamed Majd, Boujmaa Guilloul, Hassna Souidi, Netherlands/Belgium/Germany/ Morocco 2014, 94 min) Before We Go (d: Chris Evans c: Chris Evans, Alice Eve, USA 2014, 89 min) Gazelles (d: Mona Achache c: Camille Chamoux, Audrey Fleurot, Joséphine de Maux, Franck Gastambide. Anne Brochet, France 2014, 99 min) Graziella (d: Mehdi Charef c: Rossy De Palma, Denis Lavant, Claire Nebout, France 2014, 93 min) Mountain Spirits (d: Singing Chen, Kuo-Liang Chiang, Taiwan 2014, 70 min) Out of Nature (d: Ole Giæver, Marte Vold c: Ole Giæver, Marte Magnusdotter Solem, Sivert Giæver Solem, Rebekka Nystadbakk, Ellen Birgitte Winther, Norway 2014, 80 min) War of Lies (d: Matthias Bittner, Germany 2014, 90 min) COMPETITIONS New Directors Competition A Blast (d: Syllas Tzoumerkas, Greece/Germany/Netherlands 2014, North American Premiere) Bonifacio (d: Enzo Williams, Philippines 2014, North American Premiere) Corrections Class (d: Ivan I. Tverdovsky, Russia/Germany 2014, North American Premiere) Liza, the Fox-Fairy (d: Karoly Ujj-Meszaros, Hungary 2015, North American Premiere) Love, Theft and Other Entanglements (d: Muayad Alayan, Palestine 2015, North American Premiere) A Matter of Interpretation (d: Kwang-kuk Lee, South Korea 2014, North American Premiere) Morbayassa (d: Cheick Fantamady Camara, Guinea 2015, North American Premiere) My Skinny Sister (d: Sanna Lenken, Sweden/Germany 2015, North American Premiere) Short Skin (d: Duccio Chiarini, Italy 2014, North American Premiere) Under Construction (d: Rubaiyat Hossain, Bangladesh 2015, World Premiere) Vincent (d: Thomas Salvador, France 2014) Waterline (d: Michal Otlowski, Poland 2014, North American Premiere) New American Cinema Competition Chatty Catties (d: Pablo Valencia, USA 2015, World Premiere) Circle (d: Aaron Hann & Mario Miscione, USA 2015, World Premiere) Fourth Man Out (d: Andrew Nackman, USA 2015, World Premiere) Front Cover (d: Ray Yeung, USA 2015, World Premiere) Good Ol’ Boy (d: Frank Lotito, USA 2015, World Premiere) Happy 40th (d: Madoka Raine, USA 2015, World Premiere) Me Him Her (d: Max Landis, USA 2015, World Premiere) Those People (d: Joey Kuhn, USA 2015, World Premiere) Documentary Competition Cooking Up a Tribute (d: Luis Gonzalez & Andrea Gomez, Spain 2015, North American Premiere) Dreams Rewired (d: Martin Reinhart, Thomas Tode, & Manu Luksch, Austria 2015, North American Premiere) The Glamour & The Squalor (d: Marq Evans, USA 2015, World Premiere) The Great Alone (d: Greg Kohs, USA 2015, World Premiere) In Utero (d: Kathleen Gyllenhaal, USA 2015, World Premiere) License to Operate (d: James Lipetzky, USA 2015, World Premiere) Mountain Spirits (d: Singing Chen & Kuo-Liang Chiang, Taiwan 2014, US Premiere) Paper Tigers (d: James Redford, USA 2015, World Premiere) Romeo Is Bleeding (d: Jason Zeldes, USA 2015) Sergio Herman, F**KING PERFECT (d: Willemiek Kluijfhout, Netherlands 2015, North American Premiere) War of Lies (d: Matthias Bittner, Germany 2014, US Premiere)

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  • Films on African Pictures Program is First Announced for 2015 Seattle International Film Festival

    The Boda Boda Thieves The 41st Seattle International Film Festival to be held May 14 to June 7, 2015, unveiled the 14 feature films of its third annual African Pictures program. Since 2013, African Pictures has presented documentaries, narrative features, and short films from 25 African countries. With something for everyone — from ethereal and experimental to gritty and provocative — African Pictures showcases a microcosm of world cinema available only at SIFF. Topping the 2015 program is The Boda Boda Thieves (pictured above), an absorbing urban narrative from SIFF sophomore Donald Mugisha (The Kampala Story, 2012), who will be in attendance for the North American premiere of his new film. Fans of U-Carmen eKhayelitsha (2005) will be glad to see the North American premiere of director Mark Dornford-May’s striking modern South African opera,Breathe Umphefumlo, adapted with deftness and compassion from Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Also traveling to Seattle, up-and-coming director Cheick Fantamady Camara will appear at screenings of his expansive drama Morbayassa in its North American premiere, representing Guinean film in African Pictures at SIFF for the first time. This story of inter-generational and inter-continental culture clash is anchored by a masterful performance from Fatoumata Diawara (Timbuktu, 2014). SIFF 2015 will also feature the North American premiere of Sugarcane Shadows, the first film from the island nation of Mauritius ever to play in a US festival. Making its North American premiere among four short films in African Pictures 2015 is I’m Not Hereby 15-year-old South African Jack Markovitz, presented as part of SIFF’s youth-centered FutureWave program. The African Pictures Film & Party will feature Excuse My French, a coming-of-age comedy from Egyptian director Amr Salama (Asma’a, 2011; Tahrir, 2011: The Good, the Bad, and the Politician, 2011). A lively celebration will follow at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle. The following African Pictures titles are the first films to be announced among official selections of the 2015 Seattle International Film Festival. Alyam, Alyam d: Ahmed El Maanouni, Morocco 1978, 80 min Following his father’s death, Abdelwahad is expected to provide for his mother and his seven brothers.  But faced with the cycle of poverty that rural farmers seem doomed to repeat, he dares to hope for something better. Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Beats of the Antonov d: Hajooj Kuka, Sudan/South Africa 2014, 65 min Set in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountain regions of Sudan, Beats of the Antonov celebrates South Sudan’s vibrant musical culture surviving by any means necessary in the face of their prolonged civil war. Beti and Amare d: Andy Siege, Ethiopia/Germany 2014, 94 min In this dreamy sci-fi fantasy, teenage Beti is forced to hide away in her uncle’s isolated hut to avoid Mussolini’s troops. Her strange dreams lead her to fall in love with a man who emerges from a glowing egg and may be a vampire. Black Girl (La Noire de…) d: Ousmane Sembène, Senegal/France 1966, 65 min This 1966 film explores the complex dynamics and larger post-colonial implications that arise between a young Senegalese maid and the French family that employs her. This quiet, observational drama was esteemed African filmmaker Ousmane Sembène’s first feature film. Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project in collaboration with the Sembène Estate, Institut National de l’Audiovisuel, INA and Centre National de Cinématographie, CNC.Restoration carried out at Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory; 4k scan performed at Eclair laboratories. The Boda Boda Thieves (Abaabi ba boda boda) NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: Donald Mugisha, Uganda/Kenya 2015, 85 min On teenage boy Abel’s first day of work as a boda boda (moto-taxi) driver to support his poor family, his bike is stolen, leaving him in pursuit of the ruthless thief who stole their livelihood. A Bicycle Thieves for urban Africa. Breathe Umphefumlo NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: Mark Dornford-May, South Africa/United Kingdom 2015, 89 min Combining “La Boheme” with the tuberculosis epidemic in South Africa, Breathe Umphefumloprovides a dynamic twist on the classic opera through a uniquely African context and emotional urgency that’s not to be missed. Challat of Tunis (Le Challat de Tunis) d: Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisia/France 2014, 90 min A masked assailant rides through the Tunisian capital on a motor scooter slashing the backsides of women in jeans and short skirts in Kaouther Ben Hania’s genre-bending mockumentary about sexist attitudes in Arab culture. Décor d: Ahmad Abdalla, Egypt 2014, 116 min An overworked film production designer begins to lose her grip on reality, slipping into the life she is creating on her latest movie set. This meta-movie playfully comments on the conventions of the classic “women’s picture.” Excuse My French (Lamoakhzaa) AFRICAN PICTURES FILM & PARTY d: Amr Salama, Egypt 2014, 99 min In this family comedy and Egyptian box office smash, 12-year-old Hany, a precocious kid from a privileged Coptic Christian family, must adjust when a change in circumstances sends him to the local majority-Muslim public school. I Am the People (Je Suis le Peuple) d: Anna Roussillon, France 2014, 111 min I Am the People chronicles the 2011 revolution in Egypt and subsequent events from the perspective of a poor farming family in the country’s south, a depiction of world events refreshing in its warmth, wit, and humanity. The Malagasy Way (Ady Gasy) d: Lova Nantenaina, Madagascar/France 2014, 84 min Filmed with a fascinated lens, this documentary explores the way of the Malagasy people and a third-world community portrait that is anything but bleak, as it celebrates a culture where wealth isn’t needed to find happiness and joy in the things you do. Morbayassa NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: Cheick Fantamady Camara, Guinea 2015, 122 min Bella befriends a UN worker who promises to help her escape her domineering pimp and find the daughter she gave up for adoption 15 year ago in this tense, female-centered drama. Run d: Philippe Lacôte, Ivory Coast/France 2014, 97 min After assassinating the Prime Minister, Run looks back on the varied mentors in his life, from a village rainmaker to a professional eater to the imperious revolutionary who’s living the gangster life, in this striking feature debut which reflects Ivory Coast’s recent, tumultuous history. Sugarcane Shadows (Lonbraz Kann) NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: David Constantin, Mauritius/France 2014, 88 min Residents of Mauritius fight to maintain their culture despite a pervasive tourism economy and increased globalization. Gorgeous cinematography and non-actor authenticity ground David Constantin’s first feature. The following short films will screen during SIFF 2015 as part of African Pictures. The Call NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: Zamo Mkhwanazi, South Africa 2014, 11 min An emotionally disconnected taxi driver realizes that he does not want his prostitute girlfriend to abort the child that could be his. I’m Not Here NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE d: Jack Markovitz, South Africa 2014, 9 min After his calls are repeatedly ignored, a young man turns to Facebook to tell a girl what he thinks A Quiet Memory (Uma Memória Quieta) US PREMIERE d: Inadelso Cossa, Mozambique 2014, 14 min Langa dramatically details his history as a political prisoner in 1970s Mozambique. Treat (Zawadi) d: Richard Card, Kenya 2014, 12 min In the Kenyan slums of Kibera, a ten-year-old boy hustles to provide for his family, taking him away from his crush on her birthday.

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  • Comedy “SPY” Starring Melissa McCarthy to Open 2015 Seattle International Film Festival

    SPY Starring Melissa McCarthy

    Spy, “the side-splitting, action-packed, globetrotting comedy from the mind of Paul Feig,” and starring Emmy-winning and Oscar®-nominated Melissa McCarthy, will be the Opening Night Film for the 41st annual Seattle International Film Festival on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

    A hilariously incisive send-up of the spy genre, Spy stars McCarthy as Susan Cooper, an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst who is the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. When her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham, spoofing the gritty roles that have made him famous) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and prevent a global disaster.

    The ensemble cast also features Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) as Cooper’s agency chief and Rose Byrne (The Neighbors) as a Bulgarian assassin. Bobby Cannavale (Adult Beginners), Morena Baccarin (“Homeland”), Miranda Hart (“Call the Midwife”), and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson round out the incredible lineup. The film, which is from 20th Century Fox, will open nationwide on June 5, 2015.

    Director Paul Feig is scheduled to attend the evening’s festivities. He will participate in a Q&A following the screening moderated by SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. Notes Carl, “Paul Feig has done the impossible and catapulted Melissa McCarthy to even funnier heights than her previous roles in The Heat and Bridesmaids. I actually need to see this hilarious film again – the first time I saw it, the audience was laughing so loud, I missed some of the lines! Witty, smart, and thrilling,Spy is destined to be one of the biggest hits of the summer – it’s the perfect movie to open the largest and best attended film festival in the country.”

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  • Lynn Shelton’s LAGGGIES, Starring Keira Knightly to Open Seattle Intl Film Festival’s Women in Cinema,

     LaggiesLaggies

    Seattle International Film Festival‘s annual Women in Cinema, returns, on Wednesday September 18 to 21, 2014, showcasing exceptional films made by women from around the world. The four-day event will feature 12 exciting features and documentaries.  Opening Night takes place at the soon-to-be-opened SIFF Cinema Egyptian, and features Seattle favorite Lynn Shelton’s new film Laggies, starring Keira Knightly. 

    The festival continues with Danish master Pernille Christensen’s award-winning Someone You Love; stunning foreign Oscar® submissions from Norway (I Am Yours) and the Philippines (Transit); and enlightening new documentaries from Jessica Yu (Misconception), Winter’s Bone director Debra Granik (Stray Dog), and Tina Mascara and Guido Santi (Monk with a Camera). A screening of NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) shorts will also be presented, as well as an eye-opening panel presented by Women in Film on how groundbreaking female filmmakers are eschewing traditional methodologies to get their films made. All of these films and the panel will be held at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

    Laggies
    d: Lynn Shelton c: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, USA 2014, 95 min

    Having spent her twenties comfortably inert, 28-year-old Megan (Keira Knightley) finds herself squarely in an adulthood crisis with no career prospects, no particular motivation to find one and no one to relate to, including her high school boyfriend. When he proposes, Megan panics and – at least temporarily – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika (Chloë Grace Moritz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad (Sam Rockwell). 

     

    Transit
    d: Hannah Espia c: Ping Medina, Irma Adlawan, Jasmine Curtis, Marc Justine Alvarez, Mercedes Cabral, Omer Juran, Philippines 2013, 93 min

    This affecting and very timely drama deals with the struggle of an extended Filipino family working in Israel but faced with the prospect of separation when a new law threatens their children with deportation. The Philippines’ Oscar Submission. 

     

    Inbetween Worlds
    d: Feo Aladag c: Ronald Zehrfeld, Abdul Salam Yosofzai, Saida Barmaki, Germany 2014, 102 min

    German army commander Jesper forms a bond with his Afghani translator, Tarik, as they try to protect a village from the growing Taliban influence. Gorgeously shot on location in Afghanistan, Inbetween Worlds is fair-handed without becoming overly sentimental or inflammatory.

     

    Rocks in My Pockets
    d: Signe Baumane, USA/Latvia 2014, 88 min

    Five fantastical animated tales based on the courageous women of Latvian filmmaker Signe Baumane’s family and their battles with madness. With boundless imagination, a twisted sense of humor, and a unique, beautifully textured combination of papier-mâché stop-motion and classic hand-drawn animation, Baumane has produced a poignant and often hilarious tale of mystery, mental health, redemption and survival. FIPRESCI Award, Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

     

    Monk With a Camera
    d: Tina Mascara, Guido Santi c: Nicholas Vreeland, Khyongla Rinpoche, Richard Gere, USA 2013, 90 min

    In this enthralling documentary portrait, Nicholas Vreeland, grandson of fashion icon Diana Vreeland, is headed for life as a high-powered photographer until he undergoes a personal transformation: next stop, life as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. 

     

    Misconception
    d: Jessica Yu Narrated by: Kyra Sedgwick, USA 2014, 93 min

    For almost 50 years, the world’s population has grown at an alarming rate, raising fears about strains on the Earth’s resources. But how true are these claims? Taking cues from statistics guru Hans Rosling, Misconception offers a provocative glimpse at how the world – and women in particular – are tackling a subject at once personal and global.  

     

    The Last Season
    d: Sara Dosa, USA 2014, 78 min

    Amid the bustling world of Central Oregon’s wild mushroom hunting camps, two former soldiers discover the means to gradually heal their wounds of war, bonding over the search of the elusive and lucrative matsutake mushroom.

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