SIFF opens submissions for the 50th annual Seattle International Film Festival, taking place May 9-19, 2024

SEATTLE – SIFF announces its call for submissions for the 50th annual Seattle International Film Festival running May 9-19, 2024 at SIFF Cinemas and venues throughout the city. The 2024 Festival will spotlight new voices alongside established directors, films from more than 70 countries, sensational hit independents, and films that have yet to break through to the US audiences.

“We’re thrilled to open submissions for our 50th Festival and are eager to see new works from first-time and established filmmakers alike,” says SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett. “SIFF has evolved greatly over the course of our 50 Festivals, but what hasn’t changed is our audience's enthusiasm for independent and international voices and visions in film. As always, we look forward to creating that space for them.”

Celebrating its 50th year in 2024, the Seattle International Film Festival has long championed new voices, unique visions, and film-centered experiences. The Seattle International Film Festival is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Qualifying Festival for Short Films. The Festival’s emphasis on keeping the event aimed first and foremost at filmgoers provides the films themselves with the kind of genuine audience response that has attracted the participation of filmmakers and film distributors for 50 years.

"There are many things to celebrate as SIFF approaches our 50th Festival," said SIFF’s Executive Director Tom Mara. “We’re working on plans for opening our new venue, the former Seattle Cinerama Theater, working closely with community partners to continue to strengthen Seattle’s film economy, and now preparations are in full swing for next year’s Festival. It’s a very exciting time for our organization and the 50th Festival is a great reason to celebrate.”

Submissions will be reviewed by a team of over 20 programmers for Festival programs spotlighting world cinema, new directors, documentaries and more, including the return of audience favorites such as Secret Fest, ShortsFest, WTF (Wild, Terrifying, Fantastic), and Opening and Closing Night Celebrations.

Filmmakers can submit feature or short length narrative and documentary films now through December 21, 2023.

Seattle International Film Festival 2024 Awards and Prizes:

Golden Space Needle Award: Audience-choice awards for Best Film, Documentary Feature, Director, Performance, and Short Film.

Official Competition: An internationally juried award for some of the Festival’s best films.

New Directors Competition: An internationally juried award for best emerging directors.

New American Cinema Competition: An internationally juried award for best American films.

Ibero-American Cinema Competition: An internationally juried award for best films from Ibero-America who are firmly expressing issues, styles, and talent from the area.

Documentary Film Competition: An internationally juried award for best documentary.

Short Film Competition: Internationally juried awards for best live action, animated, and documentary short films.

FutureWave Shorts Competition: A juried award for best short film created by filmmakers younger than 18 years old. (Submission deadline January 25, 2024)

FutureWave Features Competition: A selection of films curated for teen audiences and judged by youth aged 13 to 18.

Films4Families Features Competition: A selection of films curated for family audiences and judged by youth aged 8 to 12.

For more information, please contact Madison Zimmerman at press@siff.net or (206)-315-0692.

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About SIFF:
Known for the international festival that takes place in the late spring each year, SIFF has delighted moviegoers for nearly five decades with films from all regions of the world, fostering an informed, aware, and vibrant community of film lovers. SIFF offers year-round arthouse screenings, curated mini-festivals, cinema events, and educational programs – to keep up with us, visit SIFF.net and find SIFF on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd and Facebook.