Film Talks

Film education for the movie-curious to the true cinema fanatics

Many of the films we screen at SIFF start a conversation, inspire an action, or pose a question. Our two-hour Film Talks span the world of cinema with expert instructors, covering everything from South Korean Cinema to the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems and more. Want to dig even deeper into the films you love? Try one of our shot-by-shot Cinema Dissection events.

Cinema Dissection: No Country for Old Men

February 8, 2025

SIFF Film Center

Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody for a scene-by-scene deconstruction of the Coen Brothers’ masterpiece.

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Cinema Dissection: Out of the Past

March 1, 2025

SIFF Film Center

Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody for a scene-by-scene investigation tracing every twist and turn of the film’s corkscrew plot to deconstruct what ingredients make for the perfect film noir cocktail.

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Cinema Dissection: Portrait of a Lady on Fire

March 29, 2025

SIFF Film Center

Join local filmmaker Jeremy Cropf for a deep dive into Céline Sciamma’s 2019 masterpiece Portrait of a Lady on Fire, where we’ll dissect the film’s exquisite use of visual storytelling to enhance the themes of agency, identity, and desire.

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Cinema Dissection: Grey Gardens

April 26, 2025

SIFF Film Center

Join filmmaker Jeremy Cropf for a scene-by-scene breakdown of Grey Gardens, Albert and David Maysles’ iconic documentary about the eccentric Beale sisters Big Edie and Little Edie.

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ABOUT FILM TALKS

SIFF Film Talks are led by cinephiles from film studies professors to film festival programmers. Talks take place in person, usually in the evenings, at the SIFF Film Center. Many of them are also available to participate in via Zoom livestream.

ABOUT CINEMA DISSECTIONS

Inspired by Roger Ebert's annual Cinema Interruptus in Boulder, CO, attendees will participate in a scene-by-scene, and sometimes shot-by-shot, deconstruction of the featured film. While the facilitator will certainly share their thoughts, anyone in the audience may call out 'Stop' and either ask a question of the group or make an observation around a certain shot or moment in the film.

Each Cinema Dissection program is expected be six hours in length with two 15-minute intermissions. The film will not be screened in its entirety so participants are encouraged to view the featured film in advance of the program. Participants will be jumping straight in to the analysis from the beginning of the session. If you have additional questions about this program, please email us.