48th Seattle International Film Festival returns with in-person and online viewing
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Loading... - Buchra Issawi
- 14 Apr 2022
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After going 100% virtual last year, the 48th annual Seattle International Film Festival is back with a short but strong lineup of films.
"This year, we're a true hybrid festival. So, of the 150 feature films, 95 of them will be available on the SIFF channel," said Beth Barrett, Artistic Director for SIFF.
The SIFF channel will also show all 13 short packages, with all of them being available on-demand April 14-24.
The festival opens in person on April 14 with a film called "Navalny." The film's titular character, Alexi Navalny, is the opposition leader to Russian President Vladamir Putin. He was poisoned, allegedly by Putin's men, and survived.
"It still plays like a thriller. You're like, 'what's going to happen next?' And it's just heart-pounding, and it's also incredibly hopeful," Barrett said.
The festival will also hold the world premiere of "Kaepernick & America." The film explores former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his efforts ass a social justice advocate.
"This is a really terrific insight into him both as an athlete and a social justice activist," Barrett said.
The festival will also showcase the latest piece from 2020 South by Southwest breakout filmaker Cooper Raiff, the Sundance award-winning "Cha Cha Real Smooth," which he stars in along with Dakota Johnson.
There are films at the festival for younger viewers too, like the Dutch film "The Ghastly Brothers," which Barrett describes as "Ghostbusterly."
Also, she said a Vietnamese film called "Maika" is a mix of childhood classics "ET," "The Goonies" and "Home Away."
Additionally, the documentary Skate Dreams is set to appear at the festival, which tells the stories of female skateboarders. "The people who do Skate Like a Girl in Seattle play a big part in the film," Barrett said. Read More...
