The American Genre Film Archive celebrates Seattle ties with 15th Anniversary screenings at SIFF Cinema Egyptian

Seattle, WA - AGFA and SIFF are celebrating 15 Years of the American Genre Film Archive with AGFA August, a two-week retrospective celebrating genre films and the power of outsider art, to be held at SIFF Cinema Egyptian August 1-8 & 23-30.

Dive into the weird, wild world of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA)’s 15th Anniversary. AGFA is the world’s only nonprofit archive and film distributor dedicated to preserving and protecting the greatest genre films of all time.

Since its inception, AGFA has rescued over one-hundred features from the void, including the works of exploitation pioneer Doris Wishman, underground trash-art king Jon Moritsugu, Riot Grrrl icon Sarah Jacobson, and found-footage founder Joe Dante. AGFA satisfies this mission by rescuing, restoring, and sharing largely forgotten films on home video and in theaters, as well as providing film scanning and restoration services. Celebrating this milestone and its Seattle connection through Something Weird Video, a film collection and DVD-R mail order service founded by Showbox co-founder Mike Vraney. In the 1990s, Something Weird revolutionized the home video landscape by unleashing thousands of outlaw exploitation films on VHS. To this day, some of these mega-rare tapes include the best-available versions of movies that have fallen into a black hole of neglect.

The series includes presentations of Shredder Orpheus, a snapshot of 90s skateboard and underground punk Seattle (Director Robert McGinley will be in attendance), a 4k restoration of Donnie Darko, a Secret Screening to wrap up the lineup, and over a dozen more genre films throughout the month of August at SIFF Cinema Egyptian. Vraney’s widow, Lisa Petrucci will introduce select screenings and is available for interviews.

Find the full AGFA August Lineup, tickets and more information at siff.net

About AGFA:

Formed in 2009, the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Austin, Texas. AGFA exists to preserve the legacy of genre movies through collection, conservation, and distribution. Housing theatrical and home video distribution arms, a 4K film scanner, and over six thousand film prints, AGFA will never rest until genre movies rule the world.

AGFA preserves, restores, and shares a catalog of over 3,000 35mm feature films, oversees restoration and home video releases of 12 titles each year, and manages a theatrical catalog of over 1,800 genre and cult feature films, distributing titles to cinemas, film festivals and museums around the globe.

AGFA is currently working on a several projects, which include partnerships with USC School of Cinematic Arts and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the restoration of the filmography of queer underground film legends George and Mike Kuchar, and a upcoming releases of the cult classics Santa Claus Conquers The Martians and The Undertaker and His Pals.

To donate and support AGFA, visit: https://www.americangenrefilm.com/donate/

Press inquiries and materials requests can be made at press@siff.net.

About SIFF: 

Beginning in 1976 with the annual Seattle International Film Festival, then expanding into year-round programming, SIFF is a 501c3 cultural arts organization whose mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that SIFF fosters a community that is more informed, aware and alive.

In its four theaters, SIFF offers year-round screenings, Film Talks and a series of spotlight festivals throughout the year. SIFF also serves the community through educational programs and SIFFsupports, a partnership program that hosts and provides technical support to a variety of special screenings and festivals.

For showtimes and event updates, visit siff.net.