Submissions open for the 52nd annual Seattle International Film Festival, returning May 7-17, 2026

SEATTLE – SIFF announces its call for submissions for the 52nd annual Seattle International Film Festival running May 7-17, 2026 at SIFF Cinemas and venues throughout the city. The 2026 Seattle International FIlm Festival will continue its 50-plus-year history of spotlighting exciting new voices alongside established filmmakers, the next hit independents, and films from over 70 countries that have yet to break through to the US audiences.

The Seattle International Film Festival is consistently ranked as one of the top festivals in North America and is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films; each year it presents more than 260 features, documentaries, and short films to an audience of roughly 90,000 film lovers. Throughout its 52-year history, the Festival’s emphasis has remained on providing filmmakers with genuine and unique audience engagement with Seattle viewers, who have proven themselves to be remarkably astute judges of a film's theatrical strength in the American marketplace.

Submissions will be reviewed by a team of over 20 programmers for Festival programs spotlighting world cinema, new directors, documentaries and more, including the return of audience favorites such as Secret Fest, ShortsFest, WTF (Wild, Terrifying, Fantastic), and Opening and Closing Night Celebrations.

Filmmakers can submit feature or short length narrative and documentary films now through December 18, 2025.

Seattle International Film Festival 2026 Awards and Prizes:

Golden Space Needle Award: Audience-choice awards for Best Film, Documentary Feature, Director, Performance, and Short Film.

Official Competition: An internationally juried award for some of the Festival’s best films.

New Directors Competition: An internationally juried award for best emerging directors.

New American Cinema Competition: An internationally juried award for best American films.

Ibero-American Cinema Competition: An internationally juried award for best films from Ibero-America who are firmly expressing issues, styles, and talent from the area.

Documentary Film Competition: An internationally juried award for best documentary.

Short Film Competition: Internationally juried awards for best live action, animated, and documentary short films.

FutureWave Features Competition: A selection of films curated for young adults will be judged by youth aged 13-18.

Entry Deadlines

• Early Submission Deadline: Thursday, October 2, 2025
• Regular Submission Deadline: Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Late Submission Deadline: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Press inquiries, materials, and interview requests can be made at press@siff.net.

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About SIFF:
Beginning in 1976 with the annual Seattle International Film Festival, then expanding into year-round programming, SIFF is a 501c3 cultural arts organization whose mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that SIFF fosters a community that is more informed, aware and alive.

In its four theaters, SIFF offers year-round screenings, Film Talks and a series of spotlight festivals throughout the year. SIFF also serves the community through educational programs and SIFFsupports, a partnership program that hosts and provides technical support to a variety of special screenings and festivals.

For showtimes and event updates, visit siff.net.