Skip to content

Seattle’s Fall Film Festivals Are a Kaleidoscopic Delight

A look at the city’s many film festivals celebrating everything from regional to foreign film

By Stephen Strom September 8, 2017

film-stock

This article originally appeared in the September 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

The Northwest Film Forum’s (NWFF) Local Sightings Film Festival (9/22–9/30), celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, focuses on films by Northwest directors, with Northwest actors or about the Northwest with film conversations, artist talks, juried prizes and more. In October, NWFF partners with Velocity Dance Center for a one-day film fest, Next Dance Cinema (10/4), featuring a number of films exploring dance.

French cinema gets an in-depth look with the French Truly Salon film series (monthly through March), presented by Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). The Stage to Screen series, also offered by SIFF (dates vary), brings popular plays from the U.K.’s National Theatre to the big screen, such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (9/10). And the Seattle Art Museum is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Film Noir Series (Thursdays, 9/28–12/7), screening classic titles such as The File on Thelma Jordon and Lured.

Founded in 2002, the Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (10/6–10/15) focuses this year on Nepal. The ninth annual Seattle Latino Film Festival (10/6–10/14; Facebook, “Seattle Latino Film Festival”) offers a look at Latino culture through various screenings and panels. The Twist Seattle Queer Film Festival (10/12–10/22) draws more than 10,000 attendees each year. In November, the Social Justice Film Festival (11/16–11/21) will explore films with “resistance” as a theme. 

The Port Townsend Film Festival (9/15–9/17) hosts special guest Academy Award–winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom) who will discuss his new film, The Music of Strangers, about Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. Or take in one of the many indie flicks screened at the 12th annual Tacoma Film Festival (10/5–10/12).

 

Follow Us

Holiday Hunt in Pioneer Square

Holiday Hunt in Pioneer Square

A daily ornament drop turns December into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt.

The holidays tend to bring out the kid in all of us. And if opening presents and eating too many treats weren’t enough, there’s also a scavenger hunt in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Pioneer Square’s Holiday Ornament Scavenger Hunt has returned for its third year. Twenty-five handblown glass ornaments—all made at Glasshouse Studio—are hidden across 25…

Chit-Chat Kids

Chit-Chat Kids

Phone a friend.

Twenty years ago, before everyone walked around with a device in their pocket, kids used to call each other on a landline—often tethered to the kitchen in their home. It was a simpler time, when parents didn’t have to worry (nearly as much) about a potential predator contacting their child. Nowadays, things are different, which…

A Plate for Pickleball

A Plate for Pickleball

The design celebrates the state’s official sport. Additional plates are on the way.

Washington served up a new license plate last week, honoring the state sport of pickleball. In the works for three years, it’s the second of seven specialty plates to hit the market since getting approved by lawmakers earlier this year. “We’re thrilled to see our efforts become reality,” says Kate Van Gent, vice president of…

Seattle-Based Agency Brings Real Voices to NBC’s New Campaign

Seattle-Based Agency Brings Real Voices to NBC’s New Campaign

DNA&STONE built the project around candid conversations to understand what audiences want from reporting.

“I turned off news altogether. I want to be able to form my own opinions. Just tell the truth.” These lines open NBC News’ new national campaign, a 60-second ad that drifts over forests, farms, neighborhoods, and cityscapes while Americans talk about how worn out they feel by the news. The landscape carries the conversation…