Arts
Read More ›
Lights, Camera, ‘Q-thartic!’
The Seattle Queer Film Festival returns with a lineup of powerful stories
By Sarah Stackhouse September 17, 2024
Movies have a way of making us feel. We connect, we release. And that’s exactly what this year’s Seattle Queer Film Festival is all about.
The theme for the 29th annual festival is Q-thartic. “Our theme centers on the emotional release that cinema can provide, offering a much-needed space for healing, validation, and connection,” says festival director Trent Farrington. “In a time when marginalized communities are still fighting for visibility and justice, it’s vital that we uplift queer voices through the transformative power of film.”
The festival runs from Oct. 10-13, with in-person screenings at SIFF Cinema Egyptian and AMC Pacific Place. And if you’re in the mood to cozy up at home, the virtual portion runs from Oct. 14-20. This year there are 101 films from 26 countries.
Opening night features the Pacific Northwest premiere of Ponyboi, a debut film from Salvadoran-American filmmaker River Gallo. It’s about Ponyboi, an intersex sex worker on a journey of survival and self-discovery after a drug deal goes wrong. “We’re beyond thrilled to open the festival with Ponyboi,” says Farrington. “This film isn’t just a feature — it’s an evolution. Back in 2019, it captivated our audience as a short film and won an Audience Award that year. Now, we are honored to present the full-length version.”
Other must-see films:
World Premier: Connection | Isolation
A documentary profiling eight trans, postgender, and genderqueer individuals navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary explores their efforts to build community amid rising racism, police violence, and the exclusion of disabled people.
U.S. Premiere: Hero Camp!
Sam Ho, 2024, United States, 77 min.
This coming-of-age documentary, from Chinese American filmmaker Sam Ho, follows three queer teens as they discover themselves at a live-action role-play camp in suburban Massachusetts.
Spotlight Feature: The Astronaut Lovers
Marco Berger, 2024, Argentina & Spain, 116 min.
Set against a dreamy Argentine summer, this comedy from award-winning Argentinian director Marco Berger is about Pedro’s return to Argentina and his reunion with childhood friend Maxi. Pedro, who is openly gay, finds amusement in Maxi’s teasing flirtations — until things get complicated when Maxi claims Pedro is his boyfriend to make his ex jealous.
Pacific Northwest Premiere: Asog
Seán Devlin, 2023, Canada & Philippines, 101 min.
A glitter-filled, road trip movie about a non-binary comedian in the Philippines, chasing their dream of drag pageant glory. With Alan Cumming as co-executive producer, this one has already won some major awards, and it looks hilarious and tender.
No One Asked You
Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show) teams up with Abortion Access Front to hit the road and support abortion clinic staff while busting stigmas along the way.
Closing Night: Gondola
Veit Helmer; 2024; Georgia & Germany; 82 min.
A nearly wordless love story set high in the mountains of Georgia. It’s about two women who work as gondola operators, their love story developing as they soar through the sky. It’s directed by German filmmaker Veit Helmer, who is known for his unique no-dialogue style.
And if you’re in the mood for some scares, the festival’s got you covered with a lineup of thrillers and creepy movies. Check out Under the Influencer, Mother Father Sister Brother Frank, or the unsettling Haze. Plus, don’t miss the late-night shorts program Fright Night and After Dark Special — perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without parties. There’s the Opening Night bash at SIFF Cinema Egyptian and a Closing Night celebration after Gondola on Oct. 12.
Hybrid passes are $200, virtual passes are $125, and single tickets range from $15 to $30. For tickets, the full lineup, and more, go here.
The Seattle Queer Film Festival is put on by the nonprofit Three Dollar Bill Cinema. They also host TRANSlations: Seattle Trans Film Festival, Three Dollar Bill OUTdoor Cinema, and Reel Queer Youth, which provides media education for LGBTQ+ youth.
Follow Us
Studio Sessions: June T. Sanders
Part of the Rituals in Resistance show at Railspur, June T. Sanders reflects on the power of creating art, crafting things with her hands, and the moments that spark creativity.
There’s a bare authenticity to artist June T. Sanders’ work. Whether it’s a series of black-and-white photographs taken close-up of friends and acquaintances or a suite of rough-hewn wooden objects, each piece feels relatable and grounded in daily life. It’s the kind of work that reminds us that everything doesn’t have to be so abstract…
Where to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month Across the Pacific Northwest
Explore Indigenous art, food, and cultural events throughout November, with opportunities to support Native artists and businesses.
As we head into the thick of the holiday season, there’s another meaningful observance to keep in mind: Native American Heritage Month. While Indigenous history and culture deserve recognition year-round, November brings opportunities to engage with Native artists, businesses, and cultural traditions. Here are some ways to take part. Explore art galleries and exhibits Stop…
Table 17 Serves Up an Authentic Look at Love
If you love a rom-com, see this play ASAP.
Most of us have been there at least once: Your phone lights up, you look down, and your ex’s name pops up on the screen. Maybe you haven’t heard from them in a while—weeks, months, or even years. If things ended badly, you might be annoyed at this sudden intrusion. If there were lingering doubts,…
How Art Stays Afloat in Iceland
Public funding, creative freedom, and a landscape that refuses to stay in the background have made this Nordic nation an extraordinary place for crafting culture.
“If you don’t have art and theaters—and free speech—it’s no good to live there.” The man telling me this, Guðmundur Kristjánsson, isn’t a curator or painter. He’s the CEO of a seafood company, Brim, and our conversation occurred at Reykjavík’s harbor on Fisherman’s Day. I had just toured one of Brim’s vessels, where framed art…