Seattle’s most iconic movie experience, SIFF Cinema Downtown features a mix of blockbuster studio films, specialty festivals and events, and first-run arthouse cinema, plus reserved seating selection and premium concessions such as local craft beer and chocolate popcorn.
SIFF year-round passes are not valid for this screening. Vouchers will be accepted beginning Dec 30.
This historic venue located in the heart of Downtown Seattle is one of only two operating cinemas in the world with the capability of screening three-strip Cinerama films on its epic 97-foot curved screen consisting of 2,000 vertical strips.
In May 2023, SIFF announced its acquisition of the former Seattle Cinerama Theater from the estate of Paul G. Allen. The announcement was made to an uproar of cheers and applause at Opening Night of the 49th Seattle International Film Festival on May 11.
SIFF Cinema Downtown is located in the Belltown neighborhood, with a variety of public transportation options including:
Find your route with King County Metro Trip Planner or One Bus Away.
Plan ahead to select parking in the area. The closest garage to the venue is located at the Warwick Hotel. Additional neighborhood lots include Pacific Place, 3rd and Stewart, and Amazon Doppler (free parking nights and weekends). .
Make your next theater experience a mini-staycation and book Staypineapple’s SIFF Theater promotion. SIFF Theater-goers receive up to 26% off accommodations for select dates at either The Maxwell Hotel (only a 10 minute walk from SIFF Cinema Uptown) or Hotel FIVE (less than 2 blocks from SIFF Cinema Downtown).
The Sound Hotel is another great option—this award-winning 4 Diamond Hilton hotel is only steps away from SIFF Seattle Downtown! The hotel features a terrace bar with Space Needle views, and breakfast, lunch and dinner dining in Currant Bistro. SIFF Theater-goers receive up to 15% off available rates using The Sound Hotel's SIFF Theater promotion.
Floor Seat measurements:
- Back width: 21.5”
- Back height: 28”
- Seat width: 20.5”
- Seat Length: 18.5”
- Arm length: 19.5”
- Leg Room: 23.5”
Balcony Seat measurements:
- Back width: 21.5”
- Back height: 28”
- Seat width: 17.5”
- Seat Length: 18.5”
- Arm length: 15.5”
- Leg Room: 8”
Number of Accessible Seats: 7 floor seats
SIFF is a nonprofit organization that relies on funds from a variety of sources from ticket sales to individual donations. Want to provide support with a one-time or recurring gift? Make a donation today.
Popcorn! Discounts! SIFF members may use their popcorn punch cards at SIFF Cinema Downtown. Members receive five complimentary popcorns per year, and, yes, chocolate popcorn counts! Members also receive $3 off individual tickets.
Member: $16.50 Online | $17.00 Walk-Up
Adult: $19.50 Online | $20.00 Walk-Up
Senior: $18.50 Online | $19.00 Walk-Up
Student: $18.50 Online | $19.00 Walk-Up
Child: $14.50 Online | $15.00 Walk-Up
SIFF Downtown uses "all-in pricing" so the full ticket price listed includes fees.
Of course! And to “top” it off, SIFF members can use their punch cards for five complimentary popcorns to receive a free small or medium popcorn (chocolate or regular). Enticed? Join today.
If you are already a member and haven't picked up your popcorn card yet, simply ask a Box Office Associate the next time you visit any SIFF Cinema venue.
We post all our open positions here. As soon as we determine which of our current SIFF Cinema staff would like the opportunity to work at this new venue, we will be posting more job openings.
We are very excited to welcome volunteers into our new theater. Please check out our Volunteer page for more information on how to join us.
The Cinerama first opened in 1963 but met with declining business and faced demolition by the late 1980s. Paul Allen purchased the theater and began a series of renovations, creating a destination theater for blockbuster first-run movies and a variety of film festivals. The venue closed following Allen’s death and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to Allen’s wishes, it was earmarked to be sold with all Estate proceeds to be dedicated to philanthropy.
Vulcan/The Allen Estate licensed the name from the original owner when it reopened 20+ years ago, but did not own the name “Cinerama.” The original terms of use of the name stated that upon sale, the name reverts solely to the owner and cannot be transferred with the property.
SIFF Cinema Downtown will be a temporary name until we determine a feasible timeline of moving forward to involve the public to select a permanent name and funding rebrand costs.
SIFF was presented with an exciting opportunity to acquire the Cinerama in late 2022 and is very grateful for the dedicated board members, donors, and grantors who supported this dream with financing. Without these generous funders, this simply would not have been possible for SIFF. In the coming months, SIFF will need even more community support as we move forward with a Capital Campaign to raise funds for first year startup costs. Consider a donation today.
SIFF is a non-profit, and this acquisition was something we hoped for, but would not have been possible without external funding. These designated contributions, the Wyncote foundation, the Paul Allen Estate’s generosity, and passionate funders made this possible for SIFF and for the community.
Sums of $950,000 allotted in the City of Seattle’s mid-year supplemental budget, and $1,000,000 from King County were both approved August 2023. These funds will make it possible to open the theater as soon as possible and help with:
Sure! Take a look at the May 11 press release (“SIFF Acquires Seattle Cinerama Theater,” as well as our archived Updates page for some background info on how we got to a reopening date.
