For the second year running, Shoreline Community College, in partnership with the City of Shoreline, is an official Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) venue. The College’s state-of-the-art theater will screen 26 films, some with Northwest ties, May 26-June 3.
“Shoreline Community College is proud to partner with the City of Shoreline to host the northern-most SIFF venue, bringing high-quality arts and entertainment to our neighbors and our students,” said Dr. Cheryl Roberts, President of Shoreline Community College.
“Last year we welcomed over 3,000 people to our theater for the Festival and we are thrilled to do it again. Many of our students benefit from classroom visits with SIFF filmmakers and opportunities for hands-on learning during the Festival. It’s a wonderful partnership for all involved,” Dr. Roberts added.
Hosting SIFF is particularly meaningful for the College as Shoreline students and faculty have a longstanding connection to the festival. Shoreline film program alumnus Nick Terry premiered his feature Finding October at the festival in 2016, while students in the film program’s Production II class premiered their short, REFRACTION, the year prior. Also in 2015, film department chair Tony Doupé and associate faculty Lorraine Montez premiered their feature horror film The Hollow One. In 2014, staff and students contributed work to almost 20 films shown at SIFF and its adjacent festival, STIFF.
In addition to exposure to the level of filmmaking that SIFF attracts, students also benefit from the festival’s program of connecting filmmakers to classrooms. Throughout the duration of the festival, SIFF filmmakers including directors, screenwriters, and actors will visit with students across disciplines to provide real-world industry insight to Shoreline’s budding filmmakers and artists.
With a newly upgraded theater system, including Digital 4K cinema projection and 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound, Shoreline’s theater is an ideal venue for showcasing SIFF films, particularly the stunning underwater sequences of Shoreline’s opening night film, The Odyssey.
Starring Lambert Wilson (Of Gods and Men) as Jacques-Yves Cousteau, The Odyssey is an epic biopic taking a deep dive into the adventures and home life of the legendary explorer and conservationist. Also starring Audrey Tautou (Amelie) as Cousteau’s wife and directed by Jerome Salle, this meticulously researched film is sure to delight viewers with its spectacular glimpse into both the story behind the iconic oceanographer as well as the leviathans of the deep.
Movie-goers are invited to attend the Foundation’s Opening Night party on Fri., May 26, 6:00-7:30 p.m. to enjoy wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a meet and greet prior to the screening of The Odyssey. Opening night tickets are $50 and proceeds will go to scholarships for digital filmmaking and performing arts students. Tickets for the Foundation event can be purchased at www.shoreline.edu/foundation or by calling 206-546-4755. Tickets for single film screenings are $14 each.
View the full schedule of SIFF films at Shoreline online.