So in contrast to the morbidly obese maw of cinematic devourings that is SIFF, we also have skinny little STIFF (Seattle's True Independent Film Festival). If you haven't poked around in their offerings, we have at least two films to note: Selfless, an "existential" thriller about a cocky young architect whose life is turned upside down by an identity thief, was shot locally--"We created a modern thriller where both Seattle and Portland are extensions of our protagonist's ego," says co-writer and producer Arnold Pander. That plays tomorrow, Sunday, at 7 p.m. at the Northwest Film Forum. Plus, ubiquitous local film guy Andy Spletzer has a short film ("Best Jewish Comedy!"), Alistair Maclean: Y'did Nefesh, in a shorts collection that shows on Wednesday, 6:15 p.m. at the Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous. Here's the whole STIFF schedule--the festival runs through June 14. more ›

Face it, folks: it's fall in Seattle, and along with cooler nights, leaves changing color, and the beginning of football season, fall also marks the annual Scion independent film series. Yes, it's corporate-sponsored lifestyle marketing aimed at the hip youth demographic, and yes, they just want the kids to buy their damn cars, but we're willing to shill for it when 1) it's free and 2) the films shown are actually worth seeing. The series kicks off tonight with Heavy Metal in Baghdad, the first full-length film made by the good people at Vice: more ›

REALLY GOOD DOCUMENTARY: Here's yet another reason that SIFF has won the loyalty of Seattle's filmgoers, , a terse, refreshingly un-preachy documentary that attempts to unravel the mystery behind the murder of an American nun in the Brazilian rainforest. more ›

National film festival correspondent Kyle Anderson on Seattle's other one more ›

"I sent it to one organization, the Seattle True Independent Film Festival...and they declined by sending me an email form-letter," said Alex Mayer. We're sitting with Mayer in a coffeeshop down at Union Station--ironically in the same business park as Vulcan's glittering corporate office--talking about the delayed (by a year) Seattle debut of Mayer's new film, Paul Alien. more ›

First there was the Honda Fit concert series, and then the Yaris Works. And now, the next chapter in Cheap Japanese Car-Sponsored Hipster Activity/Youth-Focused Advertising Campaign is the Scion Route Independent Film Series. It's taking place in only six cities, so Seattle's in good company with Atlanta, Austin, L.A., Minneapolis, and New York. Looks like the guys in marketing think we're cool. more ›

There are many that show unlimited disdain for the corporate adoption of a subculture for marketing purposes. A more pragmatic approach allows one to take advantage of these corporate activities while keeping awareness of the marketing at work. There are definitely cases where a coporation can show respect for their inspiration, just as there are cases where they don't. more ›