“Tetro,” “Humpday” Among Seattle Fest’s Whopping 392 Films

A scene from Francis Ford Coppola's "Tetro." Image courtesy of American Zoetrope.

The 35th Seattle International Film Festival, the largest and most highly attended event of its kind in the United States, has announced its programming.  Running 25 days, the fest will present 203 narrative features, 54 documentary features, and 124 short films from 62 countries, including 31 World Premieres, 45 North American Premieres, and 13 US Premieres. SIFF 2009 will unspool from May 21 through June 14 at multiple venues throughout the city.

“This year’s SIFF is a dazzling assortment of extraordinary films, special presentations, Galas, and exclusive events that proudly reflect the Festival’s independent legacy,” says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence, in a statement. “On our 35th anniversary, SIFF salutes its loyal audiences by giving them an even more exciting way to find the unexpected in the world’s most popular art form.”

The Festival gets underway Thursday, May 21, at the Paramount Theatre with the Opening Night Gala presentation of Armando Iannucci’s “In the Loop,” a political farce starring James Gandolfini and Steve Coogan that premiered at Sundance this year. The Festival will wrap with a Closing Night Gala presentation on Sunday, June 14, of “OSS 117: Lost in Rio,” directed by Michel Hazanavicius, the sequel to SIFF 2006 Golden Space Needle winner, “OSS 117: Nest of Spies.”

Additionally, Francis Ford Coppola who will host a special presentation of his new film, “Tetro,” a semi-autobiographical drama in which two brothers attempt to make peace with their troubled pasts.  The film will premiere at the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes next month.

SIFF will present the 2009 Golden Space Needle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Directing to Spike Lee “in recognition of his extraordinary filmmaking career.” This special Tribute ceremony will include a montage of clips highlighting his diverse work as a director, followed by a special presentation of “Passing Strange,” Lee’s original visualization of the celebrated Broadway hit.

Part of the Northwest Connections program (featuring local filmmakers), the SIFF Centerpiece Gala will present Seattle director Lynn Shelton’s “Humpday,” which premiered at Sundance and - like “Tetro” - will compete in the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. 

News » Oscar Doc Shortlist Features » Tim Burton's Big Show News » Sundance's 2010 New Frontier

In addition to Humpday, the Northwest Connections program features a record 16 features and documentaries and 13 shorts by local filmmakers, made in the Northwest, or with distinctive appeal to the region. Other highlights in the Northwest Connections program include the celebrated Sundance hit and hometown production, “The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle”, directed by David Russo; the filmed-in-Wallingford feature “World’s Greatest Dad,” starring Robin Williams and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait; and Sandy Cioffi’s documentary, “Sweet Crude.” For a complete list of Seattle’s World, North American, and U.S. Premieres, visit the next page. Page 1 of 2 Next Login to recommend this article » posted on April 30, 2009 Films to Snag Login to Leave a Comment »