One of the largest and most highly attended film festivals in the United States, with 250 feature/documentary films and 150 short films SIFF has an audience of over 155,000 annually, and is consistently cited as one of the best "audience festivals" in the world. Seattle's love for film (Seattleites see more movies per capita than any other city in the nation) makes the city the most appropriate setting for new films to be seen, tested, and celebrated by everyone - film fan and filmmaker alike.

The Festival has evolved into a highly anticipated event and is looked upon as a leader in Seattle's ever-growing vibrant arts and film community, with the opening of the SIFF Film Center and SIFF Cinema Uptown in 2012. While bringing the best in national and international film and talent to Seattle, SIFF has also remained dedicated to fostering and showcasing the creative genius of those working and creating locally. SIFF is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a Qualifying Festival in all Short Film categories.

AFRICAN PICTURES

Now in its second year, this program once again presents an impressive and diverse selection of films from and about Africa. Supported by a generous multi-year grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, African Pictures brings the best in cinema to audiences in Seattle and the broader Northwest. Featured selections include indigenous films, films by African filmmakers working outside the continent, and films on topics relating to Africa's changing contemporary political and social landscape.

African Metropolis (d: Marie Ka, Philippe Lacote, Ahmed Ghoneimy, Vincent Moloi, Folsakin Iwajomo, Jim Chuchu, Kenya/Ivory Coast/Egypt/Senegal/Nigeria/South Africa 2013, 92 min)

B For Boy (d: Chika Anadu c: Uche Nwadili, Nonso Odogwu, Ngozi Amarikwa, Frances Okeke, Iheoma Opara, Nigeria 2013, 118 min)

Bound: Africans versus African Americans (d: Peres Owino, USA 2014, 90 min)

Difret (d: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari c: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere, Ethiopia 2014, 99 min)

Electro Chaabi (d: Hind Meddeb, Egypt/France 2013, 77 min)

Finding Fela (d: Alex Gibney, USA 2014, 120 min)

Four Corners (d: Ian Gabriel c: Brendon Daniels, Irshaad Ally, Jezriel Skei, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Abduragman Adams, South Africa 2014, 119 min)

Half of a Yellow Sun (d: Biyi Bandele c: Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Boyega, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, Nigeria/United Kingdom 2013, 106 min)

Leading Lady (d: Henk Pretorius c: Gil Bellows, Katie McGrath, Brumilda van Rensburg, Bok van Blerk, Eduan van Jaarsveldt, South Africa 2014, 96 min)

Rags and Tatters (d: Ahmad Abdalla c: Asser Yassin, Atef Yousef, Amr Abed, Yara Gubran, Mohamed Mamdouh, Egypt 2013, 87 min)

The Rooftops (d: Merzak Allouache c: Adila Bendimerad, Nassima Belmihoub, Ahcene Benzerari, Aïssa Chouat, Mourad Khen, Algeria/France 2013, 92 min)

Salvation Army (d: Abdellah Taïa c: Saïd Mrini, Karim Ait M'Hand, Amine Ennaji, Malika El Hamaoui, Frederic Landenberg, Morocco/France 2013, 82 min)

Under the Starry Sky (d: Dyana Gaye c: Marème Demba Ly, Ralph Amoussou, France/Senegal 2013, 86 min)

White Shadow (d: Noaz Deshe c: Hamisi Bazili, James Gayo, Glory Mbayuwayu, Salum Abdallah, Germany/Italy/Tanzania 2013, 115 min)


TRIBUTE GUESTS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Quincy Jones
Featuring Keep on Keepin' On, The Pawnbroker, and An Evening with the Justin Kauflin Trio

Our lives have been touched by the work of Seattle native Quincy Jones in countless ways-from his work on seminal albums like "Sinatra at the Sands," "Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux," and Michael Jackson's "Thriller," to his 33 film scores including Sidney Lumet's The Pawnbroker and Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple, which he also co-produced, to his TV production, music management, and humanitarian work in the world and in the arts.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING AWARDS

Laura Dern
Featuring The Fault in Our Stars and Wild at Heart

Coming from a family of major cinematic talent, Laura Dern has gone from girl next door (Blue Velvet) to paleontologist (Jurassic Park), from love-crazed bad girl (Wild at Heart) to woman reinvented (HBO's "Enlightened"), and everywhere in between. An award-winning actress, producer, director, and activist, Dern's unique blend of candor and magnetism, as well as her penchant for gutsy roles, has brought her to the forefront of American cinema and television.

Chiwetel Ejiofor
Featuring Half of a Yellow Sun, short Columbite Tantalite, and late-night screening of Serenity.

From his first film role in Steven Spielberg's Amistad at the age of 19 and his colorful performance in Kinky Boots to his extraordinary Oscar®-nominated portrayal of Solomon Northup in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, Chiwetel Ejiofor has infused his roles with an exquisite brand of introspective, quiet intensity. His performances are elegant and impassioned, stoic and strong, and infinitely memorable - a master of the craft.


SIFF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Seattle International Film Festival 2014 - May 15 - June 8, 2014

This year, in addition to our Golden Space Needle Audience Awards, SIFF is proud to offer $8,000 in cash prizes in the following juried categories:


$2,500 New Directors Competition (International 1st and 2nd time directors)
$2,500 Documentary Competition
$1,000 Short Film: Live Action
$1,000 Short Film: Animation

$1,000 Short Film: Documentary

These internationally juried awards are given for excellence in filmmaking, form and content. Additional prizes of goods and services will also be awarded.