{"id":52771,"date":"2026-05-05T15:00:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T19:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=52771"},"modified":"2026-05-05T11:46:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:46:06","slug":"bob-kim-are-going-to-the-52nd-seattle-international-film-festival-siff2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/05\/bob-kim-are-going-to-the-52nd-seattle-international-film-festival-siff2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bob & Kim Are Going To The 52nd Seattle International Film Festival! [SIFF2026]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The curtain rises at the 52nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Thursday, May 7th! Join us as we review the programming, events, and what we\u2019re excited to see!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Before we start, I want to be clear. Portions of this article, mostly the introduction, have been repurposed with edits from last year’s coverage<\/a>, as it holds true. What has changed for this year is that I, Bob, am not alone! Kim has not only joined the site, but will be covering SIFF<\/a> as part of the press, offering her own reviews and insights. Whoo hoo! [read last year’s coverage here]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

May is my favorite time of the year in beautiful Seattle, Washington. The first weekend of the month finds Crypticon Seattle<\/a>, an awesome horror convention with panels, guests, and a film festival. I\u2019m biased, as Kim, Cody, and I sit on those panels and help program the film festival with so many other awesome people. If you\u2019re a genre lover in the Pacific Northwest, come check us out.<\/span><\/p>\n

But then, we pivot from the stress of planning a film festival to sitting back and enjoying another! Where the only stress is choosing from a veritable bounty of features and shorts! As it\u2019s the largest public-facing film festival, we\u2019ve attended the Seattle International Film Festival for as long as we\u2019ve lived in the area, and it\u2019s always an amazing selection. Read on for the festival overview and what Kim and Bob are most excited to see!<\/span><\/p>\n

The 52nd Seattle International Film Festival, or SIFF, runs from May 7th through 17th for in-person screenings at 4 recurring locations: SIFF\u2019s 3-screen Uptown facility, the Film Center, SIFF Downtown (affectionally known as Siff-a-rama for its former owner and MASSIVE screen.. And known chocolate popcorn, yum), and the new this year PACCAR IMAX at The Pacific Science Center. AMC Pacific Place 11 and Shoreline Community College are not holding screenings this year, keeping the shows more centralized around Seattle Center. Additionally, the Opening Night is, as normal, at STG\u2019s Paramount<\/a> live theatre and concert venue, along with one free show at Seattle Central Library<\/a> (a new thing this year). 2026\u2019s festival will not have any streaming films.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within those 11 days of cinematic adventures, SIFF is presenting 202 films from over 70 countries and regions!\u00a0 Of those, 71 are narrative feature films, 34 documentary features, 3 archival features, 2 secret films, and 98 shorts (via 11 package events plus some before features).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter what one looks for in genre, type, origin, or themes, SIFF has everything needed. For ease of planning, SIFF has built thirteen film programs. Four highlight specific areas of the world: African Pictures, Asian Crossroads, Ibero-American Cinema, and the locally themed Northwest Connections. Native filmmakers around the world are amplified in cINeDIGNEOUS. Let the music of cinema dance your soul with the Face the Music selections. Culinary Cinema bakes a cooking niche. Short Films collects the 98 shorts.\u00a0 New American Cinema brings out new voices and perspectives, as does FutureWave, which focuses on younger viewers. For younger and older film lovers watching together, Films4Families presents three family-friendly titles. Finally, my favorites: WTF: Wild, Terrifying, Fantastic! highlighting the strangest corner of the fest and Alternate Cinema, delving into experimental film. Of course, films cross-pollinate, but this helps hone in on your needs (their website is really good at making that clear).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This year\u2019s archival films are Argentina\u2019s 1939 socialist rebellion film Prisoners of the Earth, the 1932 Gloria Swanson-led Queen Kelly (with a notorious production, look it up), and one sure to excite Cinema Crazed\u2019s readers. Wes Craven\u2019s A Nightmare on Elm Street with a live soundtrack by DJ Nicfit! I\u2019m sad to miss this, playing huge at Downtown, but that same night I\u2019m going to Florence + The Machine in concert. That wins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out the full festival at <\/span>siff.net\/festival<\/span><\/a> for your perusal, more up-to-date info (including filmmakers in attendance), screening times, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lot of film and not a lot of time. Even with two of us ready to \u201cAchieve Optimal CINElation to use the tagline of the fest, there\u2019s too much to see, so we must be selective. As much as I appreciate the skills and stories of many festival films, my interests, and those of this publication, lie in the horror, the strange, and the weird. Thus, the highlights are mostly focused in this direction. This, of course, is not to discount any of the hard work elsewhere in the fest. I\u2019ll likely watch many of the other films when and if they become available later.<\/span><\/p>\n

To keep focused, here is a selection of what Kim and I are most interested in seeking out during the festival. But expect reviews for these and other films as the festival rolls out.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to write about only 10 of the dozens I have my eye on. It\u2019s tempting to keep going with everything I want to see.\u00a0 When you look, you\u2019ll see your selection of choices. Luckily, the website for the festival<\/a> breaks down into genres, styles, themes, and programmer picks to find your festival.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two films were on Bob\u2019s Overlook<\/a> interest sheet but not reviewed as of yet:<\/span><\/p>\n

Boorman and the Devil (dir. David Kitteridge)<\/b><\/p>\n

This may be due to the extreme amount of time I spent on Boorman\u2019s Excalibur<\/a> from the <\/span>Arrow release<\/span><\/a>, but I\u2019m all ready for this look at his <\/span>Exorcist II.<\/span><\/a> The director of this was a commentator on that, and he knows all his stuff. Exorcist II is such an odd film. I need to know all the details. I love a good story of a film\u2019s creation \u2013 whether the film went wonderfully or failed on all the wrong ways (like this, sorry). Give it to me!<\/span><\/p>\n

The Furious (dir. Kenji Tanigaki)<\/b><\/p>\n

Directed by Kenji Tanigaki. Wild action spectacular as a man takes down the syndicate that kidnapped his daughter. All the buzz says this is an insane ride with some of the best action sequences in a long time. I can hear Emelie chattering with excitement.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Stuff!<\/b><\/p>\n

Bob: I Love Boosters\u00a0 (dir. Boots Riley)<\/b><\/p>\n

After the wild satire of Sorry To Bother You, I\u2019m ready for anything Riley tosses out (or am I, as that went bonkers places). Kiki Palmer<\/a> leads a set of women who steal clothes from high fashion designers of Will Polter and Demi Moore<\/a>. But since it\u2019s Riley, I expect a whole lot more plot and a style to match. What I\u2019ve seen so far has an astounding look. I Love Boosters is the Opening Night selection this year. [Olivia Wilde<\/a>\u2019s The Invite closes].<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim: Late Fame (dir. Kent Jones)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Late fame, the latest from filmmaker and critic Kent Jones, stars Willem Dafoe<\/a> as Ed Saxberger, an aging poet suddenly finding himself popular amongst a group of young artists. If Dafoe isn\u2019t enough of a draw, the film also stars Greta Lee<\/a>, who SiFF attendees will remember as the star of the 2023 Past Lives. If that STILL isn\u2019t enough to entice you, the screenplay is written by Samy Burch, who was nominated for an Oscar for her screenplay, May December. Between the pedigree and the premise, this feels like one of those quieter character pieces that could really sneak up on people.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Bob: Quince aka Fifteen (dir. Jack Zagha Kababie & Yossy Zagha)<\/b><\/p>\n

Quince combines the emotional terror of a coming-of-age ceremony, a young woman\u2019s quincea\u00f1era, with the physical body horror. An outsider pair hopes for the best of their traditional coming-out party, but oops, one of their boyfriends is mutating from a monster attack, and it may be affecting her, too. Blood and body horror are bound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim: Trial of Hein (Der Heimatlose) (dir. Kai St\u00e4nicke)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A young man returns home to his remote village on a small German island after 14 years away, only to find his family doubting he is who he claims to be and his memories that don\u2019t quite align with those left behind. The village puts him on trial to prove he truly is Hein. Beyond an intriguing premise, I\u2019m drawn in by the notion of how imperfect our memories are, as well as the struggle of being queer in a small town.<\/p>\n

Bob: Obsession (dir. Curry Barker)<\/b><\/p>\n

I loved this director\u2019s YouTube feature Milk & Serial, and his follow-up looks astoundingly fucked up. A lovelorn loser makes a wish for a young woman to love only him, more than anyone else in the world. It doesn\u2019t work well for anyone. Seems intense and has been winning horror awards all over.<\/p>\n

Kim: Black Burns Fast (dir. Sandulela Asanda)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luthando, a scholarship student at an elite South African boarding school, finds herself drawn to new student Ayanda, completely upending her straight-laced life. This is the first feature for director and screenwriter Sandulela Asanda. This checks a lot of boxes for me: female writer\/director, a fun, quirky coming-of-age story, and delightfully queer. Absolutely not one to miss.<\/p>\n

Bob: Edie Arnold is a Loser (dir. Megan Rico & Kate Atwood)<\/b><\/p>\n

Switching it up with a raucous coming-of-age comedy. Edie Arnold and her friends are the weird kids at a Catholic school. They decide to start a band by punking up hymns. Looks to have a fun style and sense of energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim: M\u0101rama (dir. Tartoa Stappard)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Orphaned M\u0101ori woman Mary Stevens (M\u0101rama) receives a mysterious letter about her parents, bringing her to Yorkshire, England. She discovers her horrific colonial heritage and is compelled to destroy the Englishman who wronged her family. To say I went feral when I saw the trailer for this film is an understatement. The Gothic horror film I didn\u2019t know I needed. (Bob watched this one for Overlook<\/a> and loved it – read that review here<\/a>. We also already covered Restoration at Greyson Manor<\/a> and might return to it here as well)<\/p>\n

Bob: Again Again (dir. Mia Moore & Heather Hallish)<\/b><\/p>\n

Locally made in Aberdeen by Moore, a transwoman who also writes and stars as well, it follows a woman who comes out of 10-years of a 10-year time loop, how it affects her and her friends, and reexamines her life. Produced by Lilly Wachowski, it\u2019s been an early hit of the festival, selling out both of its show days after tickets went on sale!<\/p>\n

Kim: Case 137 (Dossier 137) (dir. Dominik Moll)<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a 20-year-old protestor is shot during a protest in Paris, investigator St\u00e9phanie Bertrand must figure out what happened, especially when there seems to be something deeper beneath the surface. It\u2019s clich\u00e9, but I love a well-done police crime drama, and lately, few have been doing them better than the French. L\u00e9a Drucker, who American audiences might know from\u00a0War of the Worlds<\/em>, is a decorated French actress and the kind of performer who can elevate a character-driven procedural.<\/p>\n

Bob: Camp (dir. Avalon Fast)<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a tragedy, a girl heads to a Christian camp for a reset, only to find it may be full of witches! Said to be a haunting and touching coming-of-age horror film. Sign me up for Camp!<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim: Nuisance Bear (dir Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A feature-length expansion of the 2021 short film of the same name. Churchill, Manitoba, is nicknamed the \u201cPolar Bear Capital of the World\u201d for a good reason. The human population? 870. The polar bear population? 620. As bears and humans struggle to co-exist in an ever-changing climate, the film follows wildlife managers, Indigenous residents, and the bears themselves to try to make sense of a coexistence that feels more and more unsustainable.<\/p>\n

Bob: Body Blow (dir. Dean Francis)<\/b><\/p>\n

Personally recommended to Bob from Amie Simon, a programmer of the festival who has her own short in the WTF: Nightmare Fuel Shorts Block (check that out too) and also panels at Crypticon. A Brian De Palma-esque story of a cop going undercover in Sydney\u2019s gay scene but falling for a twink fatale. Neon-lit and campy.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

That’s a nice selection to choose from for our Pacific Northwest readers and films to look out for all over the world. Keep checking back for Cinema Crazed\u2019s coverage of Seattle International Film Festival, reviews, and all that jazz.\u00a0The Seattle International Film Festival runs from May 7th through May 15th.<\/strong><\/span>See https:\/\/www.siff.net\/festiva<\/a>l for more. See all SIFF coverage HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The curtain rises at the 52nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Thursday, May 7th! Join us as we review the programming, events, and what we\u2019re excited to see!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1284,12],"tags":[3778,4013],"class_list":["post-52771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-festivalsevents","category-movie-reviews","tag-festival","tag-siff2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52771"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52943,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52771\/revisions\/52943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}