SIFF 2023 Impact Report

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I am thrilled to share SIFF’s 2023 Impact Report , reflecting some of the incredible work and diverse activities you helped us and our film community achieve.

From an increase in attendance and engagement at our 49th annual Seattle International Film Festival, to the enthusiastic, pink-clad crowds for Barbie, there were so many unforgettable moments that happened because of you . Every SIFF supporter—member, donor, sponsor, and ticket purchaser—directly supported our mission of creating experiences that bring people together around film and inviting filmmakers to our city from around the world.

SIFF remains committed to engaging new and existing film lovers; inspiring the next generation of filmmakers; and supporting our film community and ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the next year, we’re excited for several milestone moments. We anticipate SIFF Cinema Downtown, which opened to the public in December, to continue delighting large crowds of moviegoers. Noir City Seattle is celebrating its 16th year. And our collective anticipation is building to bring you the 50th anniversary of the Seattle International Film Festival in May! We are eager to bring further impact to the Seattle area through the culture of cinema.

It’s truly been inspiring to reflect on everything SIFF fans like you helped us achieve in 2023. On behalf of the entire SIFF team—staff, board, volunteers, and educators—I cannot thank you enough for your support.

Sincerely,

FESTIVAL EDUCATION CINEMA

SIFF C inema’s year-round offerings include independent and international arthouse cinema, blockbusters, new international film, one-of-a-kind events, and festivals. All four unique and historic theaters—Downtown, Egyptian, Uptown, and Film Center—are committed to bringing excellent cinema experiences and programming that represents the diversity of story telling from around the globe. Yearly, SIFF welcomes over 175,000 moviegoers and cinema-lovers to our theaters.

“ This art form has changed me for the better. The cinematic experience is changing, and art-house films are struggling. Yet, I will keep attending as long as there is a seat for me, always with the hope of a transformative experience.”

Nathan B., SIFF Member

We believe in film’s unique power to share original stories, diverse perspectives, and rich emotional journeys. Our expertise and creation brings unique and fresh experiences, complex conversations, and helps our audience grow a true appreciation for film.

SIFF Education is proud to offer a diverse range of year-round programming for youth and adults of all ages through SIFF Film Camps, SIFF Film Talks, retrospectives, and workshops. Many films we screen at SIFF start a conversation, inspire an action, or pose thoughtful questions. Programs like SIFF Film Talks provide a forum for audiences to discuss and engage in critical thinking around cinema, deepening our audience’s understanding and desire for quality cinematic experiences.

Our Youth Education programming puts filmmaking tools into the hands of young people all over King County. We are proud to support and partner with other local organizations in our community, including Girl Scouts of Western Washington, LANGSTON, Red Eagle Soaring, South End Stories, and Pacific Middle School Film Club. By investing in this work, SIFF Education is creating avenues for young people from all walks of life to participate in the next generation of local filmmaking. Through our education programs, SIFF is able to show children and students how a meaningful narrative may change a life.

“It was a fantastic experience to watch my daughter’s growth in digital media literacy, collaboration skills, and most importantly—her creativity during her two summers at the SIFF Film Center’s filmmaking camps. We are truly grateful to the SIFF education team for inspiring her to explore the craft of filmmaking.”

Ed T., SIFF Supporter & Proud Dad

Since our first Seattle International Film Festival in 1976, SIFF has adapted to an evolving cinematic and cultural landscape. As an organization, we’ve become globally recognized, and synonymous with cinematic exploration.

Each spring, the Festival offers over 250 films from dozens of countries and regions around the world. The Festival provides a unique and amazing opportunity to discover new and underrepresented voices and stories, taking Pacific Northwest moviegoers on a cinematic odyssey at venues all across the city. Since 2021, SIFF has streamed select Festival films on the SIFF Channel, which rolled out shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters and changed the film exhibition landscape.

“Thanks to SIFF for bringing the world to Seattle each year. A truly remarkable organization and the best film festival in the country!”

Chris G., SIFF Member

Established in 2016, the SIFFsupports program opens SIFF venues as host spaces, and provides marketing and technical assistance to SIFFsupports partners. SIFF collaborates with Pacific Northwest-based filmmakers, artists, and nonprofit organizations, as well as a diverse group of community-based film festivals, elevating SIFF’s mission of creating experiences that bring people together around film.

Providing benefits such as discounted rental rates, ticketing and box office services, marketing support, co-branding, and cinema technical support, the program partners with nearly 100 individuals and organizations annually, offering $140,000 in rental discounts, and attracts over 100,000 attendees to SIFFsupports programs. These partnerships allow SIFF to strengthen our film community, intentionally growing the space for diverse voices, perspectives, and audiences.

“The SIFFsupports program makes hosting a multi-day event financially viable for small nonprofits like NFFTY, and the staff always welcomes us as a part of the Seattle cinema family.”

Ryan Saunders, Managing Director of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth

OUR YEAR BY THE NUMBERS

SUPPORTS FESTIVAL YEAR-ROUND

51,436 IN-PERSON ATTENDEES

42,528

VIRTUAL ATTENDEES

676,762 MINUTES STREAMED IN 44 STATES AND D.C.

52% OF SCREENED FILMS BY WOMEN & NONBINARY FILMMAKERS

264

600+ VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING

22,000 HOURS WITH SIFF

22 CRASH MOBILE FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS

300 STUDENTS IN FUTUREWAVE & FILMMAKERS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAMS

74 FILMS FROM COUNTRIES/REGIONS

23 WORLD PREMIERES

30 NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERES

299 FILM INDUSTRY GUESTS

125 PARTNER EVENTS HELD

30

LOCAL FILMMAKER EVENTS

58 EVENTS WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS

$125,000 DONATED IN SPACE USAGE FOR PARTNERS

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

SOLD OUT ALIEN & ALIENS

DOUBLE FEATURE highlighted part of our impressive history ( Alien : World Premiere at SIFF 1979) and boosted excitement for the

ACQUISITION OF THE FORMER SEATTLE CINERAMA was announced by SIFF Executive Director Tom Mara on May 11 to raucous applause from the crowd of 2,000 festival goers at Opening Night of the 49th Seattle International Film Festival.

OPEN CAPTION SCREENINGS introduced on all Tuesday showtimes and Sunday matinees across all SIFF Cinema locations, providing a more accessible experience.

49TH ANNUAL SEATTLE

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL opened with Celine Song’s now Oscar-nominated Past Lives.

$6 MOVIE MONDAYS rolled out at the Uptown, Egyptian, and Film Center for a new budget-friendly option for movie fans to be able to attend SIFF Cinemas.

BARBIE WORLD

saw thousands of Seattleites flock to the Egyptian for the opening of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, selling out almost all opening weekend screenings and ushering in a revived nationwide interest in moviegoing. Thanks, Barbie!

EXTENDED REPERTORY SERIES were introduced at SIFF Cinema Egyptian including Dreams & Nightmares: The Films of David Lynch, BACK2SCHOOL, Scarecrowber in collaboration with Scarecrow Video, 50 Years of SIFF, They Came From Outer Space.

SIFF CINEMA DOWNTOWN

SIFF MOVIE CLUB

continued for the fourth year, with monthly screenings curated by staff and post-film gatherings at a local pub. Program highlights included Wong Kar-Wai’s 2046 presented on 35mm to a sold-out crowd.

TWILIGHT ’S 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

welcomed director Catherine Hardwicke for a sold out screening of her film Twilight complete with custom merch.

opened to a full house with Wonka, with the theater ranking #9 in the nation for the film’s opening weekend (the only single-screen theater to do so, and only one operated by a nonprofit).

$5,820,700

*SIFF has been awarded $1.95MM from the City of Seattle and King County Councils. Contracting & requirements are ongoing and still being finalized.

$7,162,500

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Diana Knauf President

Stephanie DeVaan Vice President

MEMBERS

Ben Andrews

Michael Bartley

Mary Bass

Kate Becker

Jenifer Bunis

Jerry Chiang

Carolyn Douglas

Ben Gibbard

Virl Hill

Joleen Hughes

Brian Knollenberg

Josh Lackey

Katherine De Bruyn Secretary

Christopher Newell Treasurer

Trish Lum

Kelly Jo MacArthur

Mark Malamud

Dan Poliak

Jessica Prince

Michelle Quisenberry

Sudeshna Sen

Cynthia Setel

Brent Stiefel

Rose Tatlow

Julie Tokashiki

Shelly Wolf

We are so grateful to our dynamic community of members, donors, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and ticket buyers that keep SIFF going.

Thank you for supporting SIFF this past year, and helping great cinema thrive.