King County Proclamation of Seattle International Film Festival 50th Anniversary Day

We are excited to announce that King County has proclaimed today, May 9, 2024 as the Seattle International Film Festival 50th Anniversary Day. Thank you for being a part of this history! Read the full proclamation below:

WHEREAS, the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) was founded in 1976 and featured screenings of the films Hedda, Black Moon, and Phantom of Liberty, plus a sneak preview of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; and

WHEREAS, now one of the largest nonprofit film organizations in the U.S., over five decades SIFF has presented more than 10,000 films from around the world; and

WHEREAS, SIFF screens films year-round in its four theaters: SIFF Cinema Egyptian, SIFF Cinema Uptown (the former Uptown, acquired in 2014), SIFF Cinema Downtown (the former Cinerama, acquired in 2023), and the SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center, and offers educational programs, Film Talks, and a series of spotlight festivals throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, starting in 1985, SIFF has awarded the Golden Space Needle Award annually to the festival's most popular movie, which is determined by audience balloting; two Golden Space Needle winners – Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) and Boyhood (2015) – later earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture; and

WHEREAS, the opening night of the 50th Seattle International Film Festival will be held May 9, 2024 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, with a reception, a screening of the film Thelma, and an afterparty.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dow Constantine, Executive of King County, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2024 to be

Seattle International Film Festival 50th Anniversary Day

in King County. I congratulate the Seattle International Film Festival for its five decades of sharing the art of cinema with the people of King County.

—Dow Constantine
King County Executive