Get ready for an explosion of indie creativity at the 9th annual Seattle Film Festival! Under the dynamic leadership of William Wayne and Michael Rey, this year’s festival is set to triple its offerings, with over 450 unique films screened both online and in theaters from Wednesday, June 26, to Sunday, June 30, 2024.
With an impressive lineup featuring star-studded performances from Isabella Rossellini, Bella Thorne, Steve Buscemi, John Leguizamo, Abigail Breslin, Justine Lupe, and Oscar nominee Amy Madigan, the festival is a true celebration of independent cinema. Documentaries will spotlight notable figures like Ken Burns and Seattle’s own Kenny Mayne, Sugar Ray Seales, and Ken Griffey Jr.
Festival Highlights:
Opening Night: Cassian Elwes’ gripping docu-drama Passenger C will kick off the festival. Elwes, known for producing hits like Dallas Buyers Club and Lee Daniels’ The Butler, makes his directorial debut with this intense film about a dramatic incident on a flight from JFK to LAX. Join us for a Q&A with actor Jon Jacobs after the screening.
Closing Night: Brandt Andersen’s The Stranger’s Case will bring the festival to a poignant close. Known for producing Lone Survivor and American Made, Andersen presents a heartfelt narrative about Syrian refugee families starring Omar Sy. Stick around for a Q&A with producer Ryan Busse, fresh off his Berlinale win with this film.
Featured Films:
Reimagining the Future:
– Paint Her Red: Directed by Bella Thorne, this narrative delves into women’s transformative journeys with a poetic touch.
Paint Her Red
Exploring Personal and Cultural Identities:
– Death of the Sheik: A star-studded cast including Isabella Rossellini and Franco Nero explores the life of silent star Rudolph Valentino. A Q&A with director Vladislav Kozlov follows.
– Carole and Grey: A NYC-based comedy directed by Jon Bass, starring Steve Buscemi and Mary Wiseman. Q&A with Bass to follow.
– In Fidelity: A unique romantic story directed by Rob Margolies, featuring Chris Parnell and Cara Buono. Eve Austin, a producer on the film, will join the Q&A.
– King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones: A documentary on Quincy Jones’ grandfather, produced by Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen. A virtual Q&A with director Harriet Marin Jones follows.
– Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story: Jennifer Takaki’s documentary honors the legacy of photographer Corky Lee. Q&A with executive producer George Hirose and producer Linda Lew Woo.
– Shape of Red: A US premiere of Yukiko Mishima’s film based on Shimamoto Rio’s novel. Q&A with director Mishima.
Community Across Generations:
– Go For Grandma: Starring Justine Lupe and Amy Madigan, directed by Sabrina Doyle. Q&A with writer Lucian Nakazato-Patterson.
– Wiffle Ball: A nostalgic documentary by Kenny Mayne featuring Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Burns. Q&A with Mayne.
– The Italians: Directed by Michelle Danner, starring Abigail Breslin and Matthew Daddario. Q&A with Danner.
– The Allnighter: A family drama directed by Aimee Graham, starring David Koechner and Justine Bateman. Q&A with Graham.
– What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith: Directed by Benjamin Pollack, starring Bruce Greenwood and Wayne Knight. Q&A with Pollack.
Animated Visions:
– Insects in the City: Mark Polish’s animated comedy pilot offers a humorous look at urban life through the eyes of insects. Q&A with Polish.
Noteworthy Short Films:
– The Sugarman: A documentary on Olympic Gold Medalist Sugar Ray Seales by Michael Husain. Q&A with Seales and producer Bryan Boyd.
– Talking In Your Sleep: A short music video starring John Leguizamo, directed by Ashley Monet and Juancho Rodriguez. Q&A with Monet and Rodriguez.
Award Show:
The festival wraps up with the 9th annual Seattle Film Festival Award Show on June 30 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
For a complete list of films, screening times, tickets, and events, visit the Seattle Film Festival website.
