Northwest Film Forum is getting ready to kick off its 21st edition of  Local Sightings— Seattle’s only festival dedicated to Pacific Northwest films and filmmakers: a showcase of new films from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, the Yukon and British Columbia. Produced every year by Northwest Film Forum, the festival features new films, parties, juried prizes and film conversation. Screenings are only part of the story: artist talks, performances and networking events held throughout the week allow film lovers and filmmakers to explore local creativity together.

In recent years, Local Sightings hosted the first ever Northwest edition of the Sundance Institute Artist Services Workshop. Jurors have included Oscar winner and Seattle native TJ Martin, Oscar winner Barry Jenkins, and Ted Hope. The 20th edition of the festival is featured in an episode of ‘Art House America’ on the Criterion Channel on FilmStruck. Local Sightings plays a significant regional role as a platform of discovery for new film talent.

VIEW THE 2018 LOCAL SIGHTINGS FESTIVAL CATALOG HERE!

If you prefer the home-grown to the over-blown, Local Sightings is for you!

“An esteemed tradition…the favorite festival of quite a few movie enthusiasts in Seattle.” – The Seattle Times

A true hub for film lovers and filmmakers in Seattle. This annual festival features special events and programs that celebrate the range of talent in the Pacific Northwest and bring together artists in our community.

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SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Seattle Music Beat & Party On Set! Opening Night Bash: A series of filmmaking shorts followed by a MOVIEMAKING PARTY! Includes a performance by rapper Fantasy A, disco beats by T.Wan, and so much more!
• A special presentation of Norman Taurog’s 1963 IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR at The Egyptian with live commentary by Charles Mudede and Special Guest, on September 25.
• EVENING STAR presents a live music score for THE PARALLAX VIEW: NEW PRINT created specifically for this Local Sightings  screening! “THE PARALLAX VIEW attempts to reveal a view of America ‘as it is seen through a distorting glass which may point-out more intensely certain realities.’” – producer/director Alan J. Pakula
  
• Kelton Sears presents Trash Mountain: A GIFgantic Comic Event: An opportunity for audiences to learn more about gif making and ask any questions they have for Kelton Sears, about his .gif comic, Trash Mountain
• Indigenous Showcase: Mele Murals: A documentary on the transformative power of modern graffiti art and ancient Hawaiian culture for a new generation of Native Hawaiians. , co-presented with Longhouse Media
• MiPOPS presents the films of Vi Hilbert: Vi Hilbert (1918-2008) was a member and noted elder of the Upper Skagit tribe. Her first language was Lushootseed, a Coast Salish language found in the Puget Sound region of western Washington state. During her long and productive life, Vi Hilbert played a major role in the revitalization of the language and culture of the First People of the Pacific Northwest.
• Chronic Means Forever: A deeply personal immersive experimental documentary about Kadazia Allen-Perry’s experience as a “queer, disabled, Black woman” living with a chronic illness.
• 8 out the 14 feature films screening the festival are womxn-directed or co-directed!

VIEW THE 2018 LOCAL SIGHTINGS FESTIVAL CATALOG HERE!