Programmers' Picks: Alison Jean Smith on SIFF 2026
Lady
Still waiting for Season 3 of “Fleabag?” Scratch the “Fleabag” itch with this bitingly funny mockumentary starring Sian Clifford (Claire herself!) as a lonesome aristocrat who tricks a TV crew into filming her life.
Assets & Liabilities
I adored local filmmaker Zach Weintraub’s short film, Rad Dad, which played at Local Sightings a couple of years ago. His new feature revisits similar themes–namely, the tensions of modern parenting and trying to keep your cool in middle age–to charming, hilarious effect.
Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero
A fascinating deep-dive into Seattle’s real-life superhero movement of the 2010s, with plenty of eccentric characters and unexpected twists.
Edie Arnold is a Loser
As a rule, I adore coming-of-age films about teens starting a band (see, Sing Street) and this one hits all the right notes: funny, heartwarming, and with surprisingly catchy punk songs.
Nuisance Bear
A film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Come for the jaw-dropping, up-close-and-personal polar bear photography; stay for the thoughtful commentary on our uneasy animal-human coexistence.
RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole
From the opening notes of The Replacements’ ode to college radio, “Left of the Dial,” I was sucked into this portrait of longtime DJ at KEXP and steward of the Seattle music scene, Kevin Cole.
Three of a Kind
A mother-daughter-grandmother dramedy that passes the Bechdel Test with flying colors. Bonus points if you bring your grandma to the screening, and extra bonus points if you take her out afterwards!
Birds of War
A BBC reporter falls for her source, a Syrian photographer and dissident, in this deeply touching love story told across continents and war zones. I was immediately drawn in by the doc’s inventive use of intimate personal archives, including texts and voice notes.
The Friend’s House is Here
A Sundance favorite, this tender story of female friendship and defiance, set in Tehran’s arts underground, was shot covertly and smuggled out of the country.