Northwest Connections
To say that residents of Washington have a distinct culture from the rest of the U.S. would be an understatement, and the films in this program highlight all that makes us unique. Grab your raincoat—skip the umbrella—and head on over to SIFF for these movies filmed or set in the PNW.
Again Again
USA | 2026 | 99 min. | Mia Moore, Heather Ballish
Aberdeen-raised director Mia Moore’s debut film, executive produced by Lilly Wachowski, is a heady, romantic sci-fi starring a trans woman who enters a new day after ten years stuck in “the loop.”
Assets & Liabilities
USA | 2026 | 62 min. | Zach Weintraub
Tacoma-based director Zach Weintraub’s fictional counterpart—also named Zach—is a burnt-out suburban dad who is taken on a wild supernatural odyssey when he meets a skater kid at the park who reminds him of his younger, more idealistic self.
The Best Summer
USA | 2026 | 84 min. | Tamra Davis
A found-footage documentary from a 1995 concert tour featuring live performances, candid interviews, and a behind-the-scenes look at life on tour with Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Beck, Pavement, Rancid, The Amps, and Bikini Kill.
The Garden We Dreamed
Mexico | 2026 | 100 min. | Joaquín del Paso
A Haitian family migrating through Mexico becomes entangled in illegal logging. Amid fleeting stability and the forest’s quiet beauty, they confront violence, survival, and destruction, testing their hope for a place to call home.
Ghost in the Machine
USA | 2026 | 110 min. | Valerie Veatch
Is AI racist? This documentary says yes, seeing as it’s made from so many books written when racism was commonplace, not to mention the ingestion of posts and rants from the wild west of social media today.
The Life We Leave
USA | 2026 | 87 min. | JJ Gerber
An ambitious entrepreneur and two funeral directors pioneer a groundbreaking eco-friendly deathcare facility in Washington state, challenging traditional burial practices and transforming end-of-life rituals.
Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero
USA | 2026 | 116 min. | Bayan Joonam
Real-life superhero or untrained vigilante? This documentary revisits the Phoenix Jones saga, a fascinating chapter in Seattle history, with never-before-seen footage and interviews with his family, co-superheroes, and enemies.
Powwow People
USA | 2025 | 88 min. | Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians)
Powwow People immerses us in a single day at a powwow, guided by Reuben Little Head’s humor and heart, culminating in a long take honoring community as privilege.
RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole
USA | 2026 | 83 min. | Peter Hilgendorf, Andrew Franks
Over 25 years at KEXP, DJ Kevin Cole shaped what Seattle listens to and how we listen. RADIOHEART, a bio-doc about his life, features a killer soundtrack, archival footage, and cameos from Seattle music legends.
Sound Visions
102 min.
A cast of quirky characters, including an animatronic cowboy and a marathoner with a soft spot for Dick’s burgers, star in these Washington-made shorts that showcase the vitality of our local filmmaking community.
Under a Million Stars
USA | 2026 | 77 min. | Chezik Tsunoda
Experts and homeless neighbors alike bust myths about Seattle’s homelessness crisis in a deeply reported, humanistic dispatch from the front lines.