Breaking news from the Seattle International Film Festival: Spike Lee will be the recipient of the Golden Space Needle Award for lifetime achievement at this year's SIFF. On May 23, SIFF regales lucky ticket holders with a Q&A with the legendary director, followed by a screening of his new movie, , an adaptation of the stage musical, at the Egyptian. And if you're lucky, you can score tickets (onsale at siff.net later this month) to a special dinner with Lee as guest of honor. Also on the bill this year are Francis Ford Coppola (who knew he's still working?) and Vincent Gallo, of legendary blow-job movie and the power to curse critics. more ›

As the yearlong 69 film series soldiers on, tonight is your last chance to see one of Francis Ford Coppola's first films, The Rain People. more ›

Through January 1st, SIFF Cinema is screening Francis Ford Coppola's masterpieces The Godfather and The Godfather II, and they've got newly restored, Coppola-approved studio reels. After the Xmas Eve and Day closure, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, both films will show back-to-back (Part II, which plays tonight at 8 p.m., includes a ten-minute intermission). New Year's Eve and Day are also double-feature days. Tickets are $10 ($7 matinee) for each film. SIFF Cinema is in McCaw Hall, on Mercer in lower Queen Anne. more ›

Yes Virginia, life will go on after the snow stops falling. If you're capable of thinking past the Snowpacalypse/ Snowmageddon '08, not to mention the upcoming holidays, make plans to go to SIFF Cinema sometime soon. Sure, even SIFF is closed tonight due to weather, but tomorrow they'll be back in business to kick off their two-week run of Francis Ford Coppola's masterpieces The Godfather and The Godfather II. (We also refuse to acknowledge that a third film was ever made.) Consider it a very merry mafia Christmas present from SIFF. more ›