Seattle International Film Festivals-2005

Cinema Seattle provides innovative and distinctive film programs throughout the entire year; its best-known program however, is the Seattle International Film Festival. Spring's high point, SIFF brings Seattle audiences a chance to participate in one of the most highly attended film festivals in the country. Each year it attracts directors, actors, and critics from all over the world, who participate in special events, post-film Q&A sessions and forums.

The festival has taken place since 1976 and brings unique films from every corner of the globe to Northwest filmgoers, including the latest in European, Asian and Third World Cinema as well as premieres of American Independent and major studio releases.

The festival includes gala premieres (invitation only), new films from first-time and well-know directors, sneak previews, special archival programs, a Secret Festival and an annual poster auction. Audiences have the opportunity to see many films, months before they reach general distribution.

The Seattle International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the US with an attendance last spring topping 156,000. Running a full 25 days and screening nearly 300 feature and short films from over 50 different countries, the Seattle International Film Festival is considered one of the most influential film festivals in the world.

The 2005 Seattle International Film Festival takes place between May 19th and June 12th, 2005

The Film Festivals Competition Categories:

New Director's Competition
Up to 20 international narrative features of 1st and 2nd time directors are selected by the programming team. This juried competition carries a cash prize of $5,000 US.

New American Cinema Competition
Up to 20 American narrative features without US distribution are selected by the programming team. This juried competition carries a cash prize of $5,000 US.

Documentary Competition
Up to 20 International and U.S. documentary features are selected by the programming team. This juried competition carries a cash prize of $5,000 US.

Short Film Competition
This juried competition awards carries a cash prize of $2,500 US in each of two categories: Live Action and Animation. All short films selected for the Festival are eligible for these prizes

The Seattle International Film Festivals awards would not be complete without the Golden Space Needle Audience Awards, given for Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Short Film.

World, North American and United States Premieres are preferred. Films must make their Seattle Premiere at the 2005 Seattle International Film Festival and have a completion date after January 2004.

Seattle International Film Festivals 2004 Program Highlights:
For its 30th anniversary the Seattle International Film Festival surpassed all previous box office records and the film program was hailed as the best in years. The Festival explored different cultures and ideas through the art of film, as embodied in the 2004 theme "different new things."

In addition to this, there was an array of interesting guests, such as visitors Stephen Fry, the great cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the acclaimed French director Patrice Leconte, the award-winning writer/director team Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor (of About Schmidt and Election fame), John C. Reilly with the world premiere of Criminal and Drew Barrymore and cast and crew members for the World Premiere of Donnie Darko-The Director's Cut.

Cinema Seattle is committed to educational programs that provide filmgoers the information and opportunities to raise not only their knowledge, but also their passion for film to an even higher level. They are dedicated to the exploration of cinema as art form, and their year-round film programs celebrate, examine and debate films and the filmmaking crafts, to expand and deepen the public's understanding of cinema as an art form.

The Seattle International Film Festivals official website is located at:
www.seattlefilm.com