It’s that time again! The Seattle International Film Festival is back! The festival, now in its 52nd year, runs May 7–17, 2026, boasting 203 films from 71 countries and regions, including 71 narrative features, 98 shorts across 11 programs, and 34 documentaries. This year, the fest invites audiences to discover the SIFF Effect: that feeling of immersing yourself in the vibrant world—and community—of independent film.
The fest continues to champion diverse, independent, and emerging filmmakers: 49% of the filmmakers identify as women or nonbinary, 49% as BIPOC directors, and 19% as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sixty-two percent of the feature films come from first- or second-time filmmakers, and 67% of the films do not yet have U.S. distribution. Want to support independent, human-made art? Film festivals are a great way to discover and support films that often aren’t available anywhere else.
SIFF opens with a sold-out screening of Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters, starring Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. It promises to be wild and funny based on its trailer—perfect for an opening night party. Closing Night is Olivia Wilde’s The Invite from A24, starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, about two couples having an unexpected evening together. Wilde will be in attendance.
Other highlights of the festival include Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, with a live soundtrack by DJ NicFit; the gorgeously restored silent film Queen Kelly; the feel-good music story Power Ballad by the folks who brought us Once; the John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight Award, presented to director Sky Hopinka by the Seattle Film Critics Society, with a screening of his film Powwow People; Kenji Tanigaki’s super-violent martial arts brawler The Furious; the fan-favorite Secret Fest (you have to sign an NDA!); and the cINdIGENOUS program, featuring films by Native and Indigenous voices from around the world.
You can check back here at Moviepie for capsule reviews of films throughout the festival.
See the full festival program at SIFF.net.
