Seattle Film Critics Society PNW Awards 2026
November 13-15, 2026
The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) is an association of professional critics working to facilitate a community that supports local productions and festivals; enhances public education, awareness, and appreciation of cinema; and strengthens the bonds of critical dialogue as it pertains to the cinematic arts. Since 2022, the SFCS has honored Pacific Northwest filmmaking as part of our annual awards. To celebrate the many talented filmmakers who call our region home and who produce work here, a nominating committee considers films released throughout the year whose primary production was in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, or Idaho) and selects finalists. The winner is determined by a vote of all SFCS members.
Nominees for this year’s Best PNW Feature Film included in this series made their debuts both locally and around the world. Again Again at the 2026 Seattle International Film Festival; The Life We Leave at SXSW 2026 and played SIFF 2026; The Joyless Economy at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and as the closing night feature of Local Sightings 2026; Powwow People at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and locally at SIFF 2026; A Simple Machine at the 2025 Lighthouse International Festival.
PNW Awards: A Simple Machine
USA | 2025 | 100 min. | Mark Alan Hoffman
November 13, 2026
Coming out of the pandemic, an idealistic but indecisive young man makes a series of radical choices to get himself out of debt without telling his girlfriend-practically fiancée that he’s going to be homeless. Director Mark Alan Hoffman and author Evan P. Schneider scheduled to attend.
PNW Awards: Powwow People
USA | 2025 | 88 min. | Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians)
November 14, 2026
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. Director Sky Hopinka scheduled to attend.
PNW Awards: Again Again
USA | 2026 | 99 min. | Mia Moore, Heather Ballish
November 14, 2026
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.” Filmmaker Mia Moore Marchant scheduled to attend.
PNW Awards: The Joyless Economy
USA | 2026 | 58 min. | Marjorie Conrad
November 15, 2026
A documentary that explores how a woman's movie collection triggers her infidelity. Created for one viewer—the woman whose confessions are revealed through hypnotic second-person narration. Director Marjorie Conrad, producer John Tuthill, and writer B. Curran scheduled to attend.
PNW Awards: The Life We Leave
USA | 2026 | 87 min. | JJ Gerber
Opens November 15, 2026
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. Director JJ Gerber scheduled to attend.
