SIFF is committed to being an anti-racist and anti-oppression organization.

We strive to provide an environment that encourages inclusive experiences for all our audiences, volunteers, artists, staff, and greater community.

To create inclusivity and belonging, SIFF expects everyone participating in our events to uphold and embrace this commitment.

OUR RESJ WORK

SIFF has a stated commitment Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ). We believe that our mission-centered work to create and share space for community bears a responsibility to be fiercely inclusive of communities that have long been systematically marginalized and excluded. We are dedicated to improving racial equity within our organization and our community. Our strategic commitment means that we approach our work through an RESJ “lens,” to ensure we are centering RESJ principles through our mission-centered work.

Gender Inclusivity

We have gender inclusive bathrooms at all four SIFF Cinema venues with signage noting which bathrooms have urinals and which have stalls. With this we aim to provide a safer and more welcoming space to guests who are transgender or non-binary.

We encourage staff and patrons to share their pronouns and expect them to be honored.

Accessibility

We work to ensure our programs and venues are as accessible as possible for the visitors with various ability needs, including audio or mobility impairments. All SIFF Cinema venues are equipped with Assistive Listening devices and are ADA compliant. We also present films with open captions on Sundays and Tuesdays as well as during the Seattle International Film Festival. We welcome guests with service animals. SIFF conducts ongoing assessment work and enhancements in our venues to make continued progress toward achieving our accessibility goals.

Indigenous Voices

SIFF acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We work year-round with community organizations aligned with amplifying Indigenous artists, and are one of three festivals in the country that participate in the 4th World Media Lab, which provides Indigenous media creators a progressive immersion into film learning and industry exploration.

OUR RESJ COHORT

SIFF's staff-led Race, Equity, and Social Justice Cohort was established in 2017. Through monthly staff-led meetings, we work to address inequities that exist within SIFF, our programs, and our wider communities; and create opportunities for new inclusive practices and aspire to be community leaders within our region and wider industry.

We center race in our social justice work, as it's the primary intersection that unites all social justice issues, and is the foundation of our strategic work.