SIFF TO TAKE PART IN FIRST-EVER NATIONAL EVENING OF SCIENCE ON SCREEN

SEATTLE, WA - SIFF announced today that it will take part in a first-of-its-kind national evening of Science on Screen on Monday, March 31, 2014. Seventeen independent theaters across the country will participate in this evening, which will feature a unique film and speaker presentation at each venue as part of its Science on Screen program. SIFF's selection will screen Earthquake with an introduction by Washington State Seismologist, John Vidale, PhD, beginning at 7:00 PM.

With Science on Screen, theaters pair a variety of films with science and technology experts. Each film serves as a jumping-off point for the expert speaker to explore a related scientific or technological topic in a way that engages general audiences - from time perception in Inception to the theoretical neurobiology of the zombies in The Night of the Living Dead. This program began in 2005 at Coolidge Corner Theatre in Boston, MA and has since expanded to other independent cinemas through a national grant initiative funded by the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and administered by the Coolidge. SIFF was among only 20 cinemas to receive a Science on Screen grant in both 2012 and 2013.

 "We're delighted to join with Coolidge in expanding Science on Screen to independent theaters across the country and to celebrate the surprising insights and sheer fun of looking at great movies from a fresh scientific and technological perspective," said Doron Weber, Vice President, Programs, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. "Science and technology are fundamental to both the making of the modern world and our understanding of it, and the movies are a gateway to that exhilarating convergence of our two cultures, whether it's original films honored or developed through our own independent 'studio system,' Oscar-winning films like Gravity or Her, classic and cult favorites, and so on." 

About SIFF

Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States, reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming, presenting over 250 features and 150 short films from over 70 countries each year. SIFF Cinema exhibits premiere theatrical engagements, repertory, classic, and revival film showings 365 days a year on four screens at the SIFF Film Center and the historic SIFF Cinema Uptown, reaching more than 100,000 attendees annually. SIFF Education offers educational programs for all audiences serving more than 11,000 students and youth in the community with free programs each year.  

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