SIFF Blog

Festival

Selling Quickly

May 1, 2026

A list updated daily of films and events selling quickly at the 52nd annual Seattle International Film Festival—happening in person May 7–17, 2026.

Cinema

Film Notes: The Irishman (2019)

April 28, 2026

The Irishman (2019) film notes by John Trafton for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Festival

How to Vote for the Golden Space Needle Audience Awards

April 27, 2026

Voting for the Golden Space Needle Audience Awards this year will take place digitally on your own devices. After each screening, you'll have two hours to cast your vote via a QR code.

Festival, Industry

John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award presented to Sky Hopinka

April 24, 2026

The SFCS Board selected Powwow People director Sky Hopinka as the recipient of the 2025 John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award.

Festival, Video

52nd Seattle International Film Festival Trailer

April 24, 2026

The official trailer for the 52nd Seattle International Film Festival, returning May 7–17, 2026.

Festival

Experiment with Cinema with the Festival Passport

April 23, 2026

From seasoned cinephiles who love to log their findings to those who are just discovering SIFF for the first time, SIFF’s Festival Passport is for you.Whatever your level of experience, the Passport will enhance your time at the cinema with a place to log the screenings you attend and Filmic Formulas brimming with curated combinations. 

Cinema

Film Notes: Silence (2016)

April 21, 2026

Silence (2016) film notes by John Trafton for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Festival

Achieve Optimal Cinelation with 13 Golden Tickets

April 20, 2026

To make it easier to immerse yourself in the world of independent film, the Seattle International Film Festival has partnered with 13 local businesses and organizations to hide a coveted Golden Ticket in locations all around Seattle!

Cinema

Film Notes: The Wolf of Wall Street

April 15, 2026

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) film notes by John Trafton for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Festival, Programmer Picks

Meet the Programmers 2026

April 15, 2026

Meet our programmers who watch films year-round to pluck the best of the best for the Seattle International Film Festival.

Cinema

Film Notes: Casino (1995)

April 8, 2026

Casino (1995) film notes by Tova Gannana for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Cinema

On Ani-Marathon

April 3, 2026

Tony Ochoa's notes on Ani-Marathon curation and its cultural importance.

Cinema

April 2026 at SIFF Cinemas

March 31, 2026

With the new month we welcome a new lineup of films, events, and more. See what's happening this March at SIFF Cinemas.

Cinema

Film Notes: The Age of Innocence (1993)

March 31, 2026

The Age of Innocence (1993) film notes by Tova Gannana for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

SIFF 2026 Social Media Toolkit

March 27, 2026

Explore our festival social media toolkit to best capture the SIFF Effect for the 52nd Seattle International Film Festival, May 7-17.

Festival First Look: First Six Film Experiences Revealed

March 26, 2026

In preparation for the 52nd annual Seattle International Film Festival on May 7-17, six of the features scheduled to screen have been revealed. This first look includes: Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex; Nuisance Bear, which documents a polar bear’s place in a human landscape; the Basque- language folk horror tale Gaua; Sons of the Neon Night, a crime thriller packed with Hong Kong cinema legends, the Goya- Award winning Sundays; and Franz, an exploration of the enigmatic Czech writer Franz Kafka. For maximum cinelation, buy a Festival 6-Pack and get a ticket to each of these unique titles.

Cinema

Film Notes: GoodFellas

March 23, 2026

GoodFellas (1990) film notes by John Trafton for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Cinema

Film Notes: The King of Comedy (1982)

March 18, 2026

The King of Comedy (1982) film notes by Greg Olson for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Cinema

Film Notes: Raging Bull (1980)

March 9, 2026

Raging Bull (1980) film notes by Tova Gannana for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

Cinema

Film Notes: Taxi Driver (1976)

March 2, 2026

Taxi Driver (1976) film notes by Tova Gannana for the Martin Scorsese: Maestro of Cinema series, presented by SIFF, Festa Italiana and Greg Olson Productions. Series curated by Martin Scorsese and Greg Olson, written by Greg Olson. The series runs through April 2026 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.