Get out of the house for a few, become acquainted with all the beautiful budding reds and yellows, then cram yourself into one of the following theaters before you get rained on. more ›

If you've somehow managed to let SIFF 2011 pass you by, clear your calendar. Alex has the best-of-the-best for this weekend's closing ceremonies. more ›

We know this sounds like an ordinary Sunday night for you -- two drinks and some YouTube videos -- but SIFF is closing for the year. For real. And because we have such an amazing film festival in our city, we owe it to ourselves to see it off right. more ›

On the eve of SIFF's Opening Night Gala, McCaw Hall was abuzz with excitement and beautifully dressed people. An actual red carpet greeted the VIPs, as did as a line of photographers waiting to snap their pictures. We won't lie--we loved it. more ›

As the SIFF opening date nears we continue to flip through the program, circling more and more films that we’d like to see. Realistically though, we won’t have time for everything, so this list is arranged as such: films that Look Kinda Interesting, films that We Have The Best Intentions of Seeing, films that Come OddFellows-Waiter Recommended, films that We’ll Wander Into Because Harvard Exit Theatre Is Close To Our House. But there are several that we absolutely plan to see. more ›

Each week Seattlest highlights an individual whose philanthropic efforts are helping to make our fair city a better place. From environmental causes to the health and wellness of Seattleites and animals we recognize that every contribution helps. We’ll also feature information as to how you can get involved. This week, Seattlest looks at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). Today, we recognize Lia Nigro. She started volunteering during the 2009 festival and enjoyed it so much she signed on as a year-round volunteer. In this role, Nigro is involved in all aspects of the organization. From behind the scenes tasks like answering phones and sending out donor mailings to serving as an usher at the festival. She feels the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with SIFF has been the ability to bring people together and develop community through cinema. more ›

Joe Dallesandro—former bodyguard at Andy Warhol’s fabled Factory, star of several key Warhol-sponsored cult films in the sixties and seventies, and accidental avatar of the Sexual Revolution—stands outside the W Hotel in downtown Seattle, his back to me. He cuts an almost dangerous-looking figure. more ›

Today's the last day of the 35th annual SIFF, and as such, it's time to give out the festival's five jury awards (New Directors Showcase Award, Best Documentary Award, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short) and the audience Golden Space Needle Awards. More than 60,000 ballots were cast by SIFF audiences to determine the winner in six categories: Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Short Film, Several of our favorite films in the fest were honored, like Black Dynamite, (500) Days of Summer, The Necessities of Life, Moon, and talhotblond, and SIFF Cinema is planning encore screenings next weekend. Full list of winners after the jump. more ›

The end is in sight. 22 days down, and just 3 remain for SIFF this year, so it's time to take look at films showing this final festival weekend. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. Seattlest applies our well-honed knowledge of all things cinema to the SIFF catalogue in order to point out some notable films playing this weekend: more ›

SIFF's final week is underway--it all wraps up Sunday--so here's a glimpse at some of the films coming up this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. Here's what we've highlighted from the SIFF catalogue: more ›

2 weeks down, and just a little over 1 to go, so it's time to take another look at upcoming SIFF films. There's a few more days of movies on the Eastside (including a free screening tomorrow night of closing night film OSS117: Cairo, Nest of Spies under the stars at Juanita Beach Park), and SIFF heads to West Seattle this weekend. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. Seattlest applies our well-honed knowledge of all things cinema to the SIFF catalogue in order to point out some notable films playing this weekend: more ›

SIFF's second week is underway, so here's glimpse at some of the films coming up this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. more ›

Has it been a week already? SIFF is in full effect, so it's time to take another look at upcoming films. If you're looking for even more opinions on the films that are showing during the fest, check out the Northwest Film Forum's picks, or the picks of some SIFF programmers themselves. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. more ›

Coming out of Moon Tuesday night, there was a huge line waiting to get into the Egyptian, so we quickly checked the SIFF iPhone app--which is great, btw--to figure out what they were there to see. Ah yes, All Tomorrow’s Parties, the documentary on the music festival of the same name. The film features performances recorded by over two hundred filmmakers, fans, and musicians via a variety of formats (Super8, camcorder, and even mobile phone footage) that together comprise a veritable indie who's who: Battles, Sonic Youth, Belle and Sebastian, Patti Smith, Animal Collective, Iggy and the Stooges, Portishead, Mogwai, Slint, Grizzly Bear, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Gossip, Daniel Johnston, and The Boredoms. The last SIFF screening is at the Neptune today at 4:30 p.m. more ›

Now that SIFF is officially kicked off, it's time to look ahead at the films coming up in the next month. For all film screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which of course cost more. The opening weekend's lineup features a lot of great films, so if you're not out of town for the holiday, this is the time to hit up some movies! more ›

All in all, opening night of SIFF this year wasn't half-bad. The movie was good, the weather cooperated, and unlike last year, there was actually free food and drinks. Of course, the program didn't start until 20 minutes late, which means after all the introductions and thank yous, the film was on at 8 p.m. instead of 7. You know, SIFF stuff. more ›

Just saw this over at Publicola, and it's awesome--the Seattle International Film Festival has developed an iPhone app, iSIFF. You can use it the SIFFter service on it, check venue info, even buy tickets! There's also their Twitter feed. Oh, and we should point out--tomorrow night's the grand opening gala, $50 for non-subscribers. Click here to launch iTunes at the iSIFF page, or just search on your phone. more ›

Today's the day! We gave you a brief rundown of SIFF '09 last Thursday, and now you can check out the offerings for yourself. The schedule's on the website, the SIFF box office is officially open on the second floor of Pacific Place, and today's Times has the pullout (that's what she said). So browse through the listings--we suggest the SIFFter if you only have a vague idea of what/where you want to watch--and go get yer SIFF on! GA tickets are $11 a film, but you can still get a six-pack for $57. more ›

The official SIFF 2009 lineup won't be announced until next Thursday, but we got our sneak peek at the press launch earlier today. The good people at SIFF are hoping to celebrate the "past, present, and future of cinema" with the festival's 392 films over 25 days. Yes, that tally includes shorts as well, and here's the exact breakdown: more ›

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 ›

Just a final reminder that tomorrow is SIFF's early bird deadline for passes and ticket packages to this year's festival (May 21-June 14). This is your last chance to get some major discounts, like a full series pass for $475 (normally $850), film tickets in groups of six for $45 (normally $57) or twenty for for $145 ($180), and a pass to the secret festival within the festival for only $33. These early bird discounts are only available to SIFF Supporters with an active membership, so it doesn't hurt to renew or sign up to take advantage of these deals. more ›

While supplies last, a three-day pass to next year's Bumbershoot is just $60. The only catch is that you gotta be a BumberFan, but that process is relatively simple. Meanwhile, SIFF has passes and ticket packages for next year's film festival on sale now through January 15th. And if you're looking for a fest a little further afield, specially-priced tickets to next year's Bonnaroo just went on pre-sale today. more ›

NON-FRENCH MUSIC: The High Dive hosts NadaMucho's New Music Mondays on, well, Mondays. The results are sometimes plenty interesting. Tonight, we're particularly interested in Canadian rock duo The Vicious Guns. Also, Look Closer and The Side Project. more ›

HAPPY HOUR!: The Seattlest crew is clambering out of our darkened basements, adjusting our sun-starved eyes to the light of day, and exposing ourselves to our readers by showing up to the first ever Seattlest happy hour at Moe Bar, tonight from five to eight. Come, meet (and get hit on) by your favorite Seattlest contributor, share your feelings with us about how much you hate our reviews, or just plain use it as an excuse to wear tweed (you know you love it!) while you suck down $2 pints and wells from Moe Bar's happy hour menu. more ›

The end is near. Come Sunday night, this year's SIFF will come to a close. There are still plenty of great films showing, so if you haven't hit the fest yet, you've still got time to catch a flick or two before the movie fun is done. Saturday's closing night film selection is Bottle Shock, based on the true story of how the Napa Valley wine industry made a name for themselves: by beating out the French in a blinded Chardonnay tasting. The film (with Bill Pullman and Freddy Rodriguez in attendance) shows at the Cinerama, and the post-film gala takes place at the Pan Pacific Hotel. For all SIFF screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which cost more. Seattlest applies our well-honed knowledge of all things cinema to the SIFF catalogue in order to point out some notable films playing this weekend: more ›

JUG BAND IDOL: Starting today, Greg Vandy of KEXP's The Roadhouse will hold live auditions for a new jug band. Without a harsh Brit, we're not sure what to expect, but we know it's unmissable. more ›

The end is near! You're running out of chances to stand in line for a SIFF film, so if you haven't yet, get on it. Things wrap up this weekend. In the meantime, here's the rundown on our picks for today through Thursday. It's quite a week. For all SIFF screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which cost more. more ›

Here we are at Day 16 of the Festival. If by now you're long tired of SIFF, you're in luck: STIFF starts tonight. And if you're tired of our takes on this year's festival films, check out reviews by Blue Scholars' MC Geologic. In addition to everything below, this weekend also offers the last chance to hit up two great documentaries, both of which we've previously mentioned, and both of which deserve another shout-out. Anvil! The Story of Anvil is a crowd-pleaser on the "real-life Spinal Tap" (today, 4:30pm @ SIFF Cinema). Meanwhile, Man on Wire, an unexpectedly moving doc about the French tightrope walker (and his friends) who conquered the WTC's Twin Towers, is the best thing we've seen at the fest so far (tomorrow, 11am @ the Egyptian). more ›

It's week something-or-other of SIFF, and the hits just keep on coming! So, here are this week's picks. For all SIFF screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which cost more. more ›

Another weekend, another opportunity to check out the films at SIFF. If you're into the short film genre, SIFF Cinema hosts ShortsFest all weekend long, with short films packaged by theme in approximately ninety-minute blocks. For all SIFF screenings, the general/member ticket prices are $11/$9 (and matinees $8/$7), except for gala screenings and other special events, which cost more. Seattlest applies our well-honed knowledge of all things cinema to the SIFF catalogue in order to point out some notable films playing this weekend: more ›