SEATTLE (April 30, 2013) The Seattle International Film Festival, the largest and most-highly attended festival in the United States, announced today the complete schedule of films and events that will make up the 39th Seattle International Film Festival.
This year SIFF will screen 447 films: 272 features (plus 4 secret films), and 175 shorts representing 85 countries, including 49 World (18 Features, 31 Shorts), 48 North American (38 Features, 10 Shorts), and 17 US Premieres (6 Features, 11 Shorts). The festival will open with the previously announced screening of Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing, and close with the American premiere of Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring. The 2013 Seattle International Film Festival is produced by SIFF, the non-profit arts organization that reaches more than 250,000 annually through SIFF Cinema, SIFF FutureWave Education and the annual flagship Festival.
“My first knowledge of film festivals came from seeing astonishing and extraordinary films from the likes of Ridley Scott, Peter Greenaway, Lars von Trier and Bernardo Bertolucci. Today, those formative experiences drive my passion for finding the next wave of films from masters and undiscovered talent,” said SIFF Artistic and Co-Director Carl Spence. “From the launch of our inaugural African Pictures program, to our Closing Night Gala, the North American debut of Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring, to Disney* Pixar’s Monsters University, to Peter Greenaway’s Goltzius and the Pelican Company, the 39th edition of the Festival will unleash an incredibly rich and diverse array of fantastic programming.”
This year’s films feature a star-studded lineup including, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, and Maya Rudolph in Nat Faxon and Jim Rash’s The Way, Way Back; Helen Hunt, Samantha Morton, Aaron Paul, Bradley Whitford and Rashida Jones in Steven Bernstein’s Decoding Annie Parker; Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch in David Gordon Green’s Prince Avalanche; Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck and Ben Foster in David Lowery’s Ain’t Them Bodies Saints; Greta Gerwig and Mickey Summer in Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha; Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh in James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now; Vera Farmiga and Andy Garcia in the World Premiere of Adam Rodgers’ Middleton; and Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston, and Ti West in Joe Swanberg’s Drinking Buddies.
“This is my first year at SIFF as Managing Director, however I have been involved with the organization for many, many years – from participating as a sponsor, to covering as a reporter, to serving as a volunteer,” said SIFF Managing Director Mary Bacarella. “I’m overjoyed to kick off my tenure as Managing Director with such an exciting Festival lineup; it’s going to be a spectacular 25 days of celebrating the world of film.”
Festival Box Office opens in person and online May 2. On that date, and after, browse the full public program at www.siff.net/festival-2013. SIFF 2013 Runs May 16th – June 9th, 2013.
GALAS:
Opening Night Gala
Much Ado About Nothing (director: Joss Whedon)
Shakespeare’s classic comedy is given a contemporary spin in Whedon’s Much Ado. Shot in just 12 days (and using the original text), the story of sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offers a dark, sexy, and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love. The film was shot entirely in Whedon and Cole’s own home, and made with a group of close friends (and recurring “Whedonverse” players) who share the filmmakers’ love of Shakespeare. Confirmed to attend Opening Night on May 16 are director Whedon and the stars of the film: Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, and Clark Gregg. Please click here for the full press release.
Closing Night Gala
The Bling Ring (director: Sofia Coppola) North American Premiere
Coppola’s latest is a story ripped from the tabloid headlines and gossip news programs, a story as strange as it is true. Five Tinseltown teenagers (two played by Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga) wish to live like the rich and famous, but they’ll settle for robbing them instead. The gang, referring to themselves as “The Bling Ring,” track the internet goings-on of SoCal’s A-list celebs with ease, waiting for just the right moment to break into their vast mansions and run off with their high-class goods. But when rebelliousness turns to recklessness, the group’s crimes catch up with them.
Centerpiece Gala
Twenty Feet from Stardom (director: Morgan Neville)
When you’re singing along with the chorus of your favorite song, do you really know who you’re singing along with? Veteran filmmaker Morgan Neville does, and his new film tracks the astounding careers, contributions, and sacrifices of pop music’s most-recognizable, yet least-known artists: the backup singers. Twenty Feet from Stardom follows several diverse and gifted backup singers living in the shadows of superstardom. Although these singers are usually relegated to the margins, and few, if any, become household names, their work has defined countless songs that remain in our hearts and collective consciousness. Director Morgan Neville and singers Tata Vega and Merry Clayton are scheduled to appear and perform at the screening.
FILMS WITH PARTIES:
Drinking Buddies (director: Joe Swanberg, USA, Magnolia Pictures)
Fanie Fourie’s Lobola (director: Henk Pretorius, South Africa)
G.B.F. (director Darren Stein, USA)
Populaire (director: Régis Roinsard, France, The Weinstein Company)
The Way, Way Back (directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, USA, Fox Searchlight)
SPECIAL GUESTS:
SIFF highlights two special guests this year: legendary actor Kyle MacLachlan and director Peter Greenaway.
Washington native Kyle MacLachlan has brought his patented brand of effortless charm and fierce tenacity the big and small screens. This program will include the presentation of the Seattle International Film Festival Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting, an onstage interview with film clips from his career, including an audience Q&A, followed by a screening of David Lynch’s pilot for the cult-hit television show Twin Peaks.
Peter Greenaway, one of film’s leading provocateurs,provides a premise and a challenge in his upcoming forum: is the contemporary cinema’s dependence on text leading to the death of cinema? Illustrated with numerous clips and striking visual imagery, Peter Greenaway’s lecture promises to be enlightening and exciting adventure. The talk will follow a screening of Goltzius and the Pelican Company.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
This year’s Special Presentations include:
Decoding Annie Parker (director: Steven Bernstein) -Starring Helen Hunt and Samantha Morton, this is the amazing true story of UW geneticist Mary-Claire King and her world-changing discovery of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. Special benefit screenings will support the fight against breast cancer.
Inequality for All (director Jacob Kornbluth) – the Sundance award-winning documentary exploring the causes and consequences of the widening income gap in America.
Somm (director: Jason Wise) – the riveting story of four sommeliers attempting to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier exam. This film will be paired with special wine tasting receptions following the screenings. Director Jason Wise expected to attend along with renowned Sommeliers.
[To find out more about the 2013 Seattle International Film Festival, go to the fest’s Official Website.]
