SIFF Announces $400,000 in Grants for Courageous Documentary Filmmaking

SEATTLE—SIFF announced this evening its new grant program for Courageous Documentary Filmmaking, with $400,000 in funding available for Washington State documentary filmmakers. Applications open Friday, May 10 at siff.net. The announcement was made by SIFF Chief Operating Officer Andrea Stuart-Lehalle during the Opening Night celebration of the 50th Seattle International Film Festival, which runs through May 19 at theaters across Seattle.

“We are incredibly honored to be providing opportunities to Washington State documentary filmmakers in their efforts to bring their stories to the screen. It’s very special to announce the SIFF Grant for Courageous Documentary Filmmaking program on the opening night of our 50th Festival thanks to generous funding received from the Satterberg Foundation,” Lehalle said.

SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett added, “SIFF has always been a home to Documentary filmmakers and passionate audiences. To be able to support and encourage this type of work is at the very heart of our mission as an organization.”

The grants are offered in partnership with the Satterberg Foundation, continuing their tradition of supporting storytellers with projects rooted in moral courage and “taking action despite the risk of negative consequences for doing so”. The Foundation's Moral Courage Committee (MCC) has a long history of offering grants to individuals and organizations to help their work come to fruition and reach wider audiences.

With documentaries representing nearly one third of the 261 films in this year’s Festivals, SIFF is proud to continue a long history celebrating documentary filmmaking. DocFest, SIFF’s annual documentary film festival, launched in 2021 to much enthusiasm from Seattle audiences and returns for its fourth year October 3-10, 2024.

Entries for filmmakers open on Friday, May 10 at 9:00 AM at siff.net, with plans for the grant recipients to be announced later this summer.

The 50th Seattle International Film Festival screens in theaters across the city May 9–19, followed by a week of select films streaming on the SIFF Channel May 20–27. Passes and individual tickets are on sale now at siff.net/passes.

Press inquiries, materials, and interview 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