The SIFF Blockbuster
A couple weeks ago I talked about the growth of arts organizations in the South Lake Union neighborhood. One organization that I forgot to mention was Cinema Seattle–the people who run the Seattle International Film Festival–whose offices are next to the new 911 Media Arts space. The fact that Cinema Seattle’s executive director, Helen Loveridge, called me on this leads me to believe that the organization will be an active member of this growing community. That’s a good thing.
Another good thing: SIFF was breaking box-office records even before the midpoint of the festival. Building on the foundation of SIFF founder and former executive director Darryl Macdonald (who was just knighted by the French, by the way), with strong programming under the guidance of Carl Spence, Ms. Loveridge and her capable staff are celebrating a hugely successful 30th anniversary of the festival. I’ve been having a great time this year, even without counting the unofficial dance party with Mandy Moore and Jena Malone or the late nights at Barÿa with directors and stars and cinematographers.
Those who missed the Fly Films the first time around will have another chance on Friday, June 11, when they screen again at the Egyptian (4:30 pm). With 10 documentaries shot by nine local filmmakers, it’s a strong and fun program that shows off a variety of documentary styles. On Saturday, filmmakers and film lovers will want to check out the Festival Forums at the Broadway Performance Hall. Things start off with a fundraising seminar at 11:15 am sponsored by 911 Media Arts, followed by a panel about independent distribution (1:45 pm) put on by the Northwest Film Forum. After that comes IFP’s annual “pitch slam” (4 pm), where locals pitch screenplay ideas to Hollywood executives, ending with a music master-class (6 pm).
Meanwhile, two local features get their big-splash premieres this weekend at the Egyptian. Nineteen-year-old Rob Burke made a big-ass action movie called Max Rules, which will play Saturday at 11 am and Sunday at 1:30 pm. Then there’s Paul Willis, now splitting time between Seattle and New York, who will be unspooling Hedda Gabler, his highly anticipated contemporary adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play.
Another festival is happening this weekend in and around the Seattle Center. Sponsored by the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, Black to the Future: A Black Science Fiction Festival will present writing workshops and panel discussions with high-powered players in the field of “speculative fiction,” and in the evening on Saturday and Sunday there will be a mini film festival. Along with some shorts and an animated featurette, the feature films include the sci-fi spectacular music movie Sun Ra: Space Is the Place and John Sayles’ The Brother from Another Planet, among others. Go to www.cdforum.org/bttf for more information.