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John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award presented to Sky Hopinka
Friday, April 24, 2026
Established in 2016, the Seattle Film Critics Society is dedicated to supporting local productions and festivals, enhancing public education, awareness, and appreciation of cinema, and strengthening the bonds of critical dialogue as it pertains to the cinematic arts. SFCS's membership includes film critics published in print, radio, television and online media from Seattle and surrounding areas of Washington State.
As part of their annual awards highlighting the best in film, Seattle Film Critics Society presents the John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight award to honor the outstanding work of a person with local ties to the region.
Named in honor of John Hartl, the late Seattle Times film critic whose legacy remains a beacon in the region and beyond, the SFCS Board selected director Sky Hopinka as the recipient of the 2025 Award. Born in Ferndale, Washington, Hopinka has directed a wide range of acclaimed short films and features. The SFCS will formally present the third John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award to Hopinka on May 17 at 4:30 PM at SIFF Cinema Uptown, alongside a presentation of his new feature-length documentary Powwow People and a Q&A at the 2026 Seattle International Film Festival.
Powwow People Tickets
The Seattle Film Critics Society and Northwest Film Forum are excited to present an evening of films by Sky Hopinka on May 15 at 6:30 PM at NWFF, ahead of the award presentation at SIFF 2026.
As part of their annual awards highlighting the best in film, Seattle Film Critics Society presents the John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight award to honor the outstanding work of a person with local ties to the region.
Named in honor of John Hartl, the late Seattle Times film critic whose legacy remains a beacon in the region and beyond, the SFCS Board selected director Sky Hopinka as the recipient of the 2025 Award. Born in Ferndale, Washington, Hopinka has directed a wide range of acclaimed short films and features. The SFCS will formally present the third John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award to Hopinka on May 17 at 4:30 PM at SIFF Cinema Uptown, alongside a presentation of his new feature-length documentary Powwow People and a Q&A at the 2026 Seattle International Film Festival.
Powwow People Tickets
The Seattle Film Critics Society and Northwest Film Forum are excited to present an evening of films by Sky Hopinka on May 15 at 6:30 PM at NWFF, ahead of the award presentation at SIFF 2026.