In an incredible celebration of the art of cinema, the Seattle International Film Festival will take place this May. The festival, which celebrated its golden jubilee last year, is returning for the 51st edition this year. Featuring a vibrant and diverse collection of international and independent films, the festival welcomes film-lovers to experience the artistic brilliance of the participating filmmakers.
Highlights
- The 51st Seattle International Film Festival is set to happen in person from May 15 to 25 and virtually from May 26 to June 1.
- The festival will feature close to 250 international and independent films, from filmmakers of diverse backgrounds.
- Sales of Tickets and passes for the festival are going on.
SIFF’s Reel World Showcase: A Journey Beyond Borders
The 51st Seattle International Film Festival will be taking place from May 15 to 25, where film enthusiasts will gather to watch the screenings and take part in the other events. The SIFF Channel will have select encore screenings from May 26 to June 1. The festival invites attendees to “Escape to the Reel World.”
“The Festival is designed to not only connect us with films but also with one another,” a statement from Tom Mara, the Executive Director, and Beth Barrett, the Artistic Director for SIFF, reads. “These connections and the stories told on screen help us to understand each other’s adversities and joys, which is crucial with the world so divided,” they said.
The festival will start off with the opening night on May 15, which will feature the screening of Four Mothers. This will be followed by a night of great music, a lot of dancing, combined with complimentary drinks and bites.
Winding up the Festival, the Closing Night party will happen at MOHAI on May 25 and end with A24’s ‘Sorry, Baby’. Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, beats from DJ Paco, and a themed photo booth.
Some Numbers that Paint a Picture
As SIFF 2025 is almost here, some numbers can paint a picture of what to expect at the Festival:
- A total of 245 films will be showcased, representing 74 countries and regions, and featuring dialogue in 63 different languages.
- The lineup includes 83 feature-length films and 122 short films, organized across 14 distinct program categories. It also features 35 documentaries, 3 archival presentations, and 2 secret screenings.
- The festival will host 19 world premieres, 27 North American premieres, and 13 U.S. premieres.
- Among the participating filmmakers, 51% identify as female or nonbinary, 37% as BIPOC, and 20% as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- 60% of the feature films are by first- or second-time directors.
- 73% of the films currently lack U.S. distribution.
A Wonderful Assortment of Films
The film lineup at the Festival consists of a collection of movies that are entertaining, informative, uplifting, and spark inspiration. The festival has announced the full lineup, and attendees can use the film finder to explore and choose the films they want to see.
Attendees can also use the Programmers’ Picks 2025 to make their choices. They can also check out the program and competitions list for a bird’s eye view of the categories. Also check out the events page and the special guests announcement on the festival website.
Venues For the Year
A total of 7 venues across the city will host the Seattle International Film Festival. Check out the list of venues below:
- Paramount Theatre
- SIFF Cinema Downtown
- SIFF Cinema Uptown
- SIFF Film Center
- AMC Pacific Place
- Shoreline Community College
- MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry)
Attending the Festival
The Tickets for SIFF can be purchased online, for an in-person experience, and for screenings. Tickets are also available till May 14 at all the SIFF venues as well. They shall also be available during the Festival during box office hours at the screening venue.
The passes for the film festival can be collected at the SIFF Film Center. The timings will be as follows:
- Till May 15 – 10 AM to 6 PM, on weekdays only
- May 16 to 25 – 10 AM to 6 PM every day
Pickup will not be available at the Preview Screenings.
