Cassian Elwes’ “Passenger C” to Open and Brandt Andersen’s “The Stranger’s Case” to Close One of the World’s Largest Film Festivals for Online and In-Theater Screenings:
The 2024 Seattle Film Festival Wednesday, June 26 – Sunday, June 30, 2024
For Immediate Release, June 17, 2024, Seattle, Washington – The 9th annual Seattle Film Festival, under the direction of William Wayne and Michael Rey in their second year, has tripled its film screenings online and theatrically, presenting over 450 unique films. This year’s festival features remarkable performances by renowned actors such as Isabella Rossellini, Bella Thorne, Steve Buscemi, John Leguizamo, Abigail Breslin, Justine Lupe and Oscar nominee Amy Madigan. With 437 films, including 125 features, on the eoFlix platform and 74 films, including 17 features, screened at three theaters around Seattle, the festival celebrates a new era of independent cinema, providing indie filmmakers with an opportunity to reach a broader audience.
Festival Highlights: The festival proudly announces its opening and closing highlights in partnership with Aegis Living, the Bruce Lee Foundation, and eoFlix. The event will commence with Cassian Elwes’ gripping docu-drama “Passenger C.” Elwes, known for producing critically acclaimed films like the “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” makes his directorial debut with a film exploring the aftermath of a tense incident on a flight from JFK to LAX. Following the screening, a Q&A session will be held with actor Jon Jacobs, who won the Seymour Cassell Award for his portrayal of Elwes.
The festival concludes with Brandt Andersen’s “The Stranger’s Case.” Andersen, known for producing “Lone Survivor” and “American Made,” makes his directorial debut with a poignant look at the struggles of several Syrian refugee families. The film, starring Omar Sy from “Luther,” will be followed by a Q&A session with producer Bryan Busse, who recently won at Berlinale with “The Stranger’s Case.”
Highlighted Films from Specific Film Programs:
Reimagining the Future:
- “Paint Her Red”: Directed by Bella Thorne, this narrative explores women’s journeys through transformative storytelling woven with melancholic prose and poetry.
Exploring Personal and Cultural Identities:
- “Death of a Sheik”: Isabella Rossellini, Franco Nero, Sherilyn Fenn, and Paul Rodriguez star in this world premiere feature about silent star Rudolph Valentino, directed by Vladislav Kozlov. A Q&A with director Kozlov will follow.
- “Carole and Grey”: Jon Bass, Mary Wiseman, and Steve Buscemi star in this festival world premiere, a hilarious comedic feature set in NYC. It marks Jon Bass’ directorial debut. A Q&A with Bass will follow.
- “In Fidelity”: Chris Parnell, Cara Buono, Dennis Haysbert, Eve Austin, and Illeana Douglas star in this feature directed by Rob Margolies about an uncharted romantic scenario. A Q&A with Austin, who also produced the film, will follow.
- “King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones”: Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen produced this documentary feature, directed by Harriet Marin Jones, exploring her grandfather’s legacy. A virtual Q&A with Jones will follow.
- “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story”: An intimate documentary by Jennifer Takaki that honors the pioneering work of Chinese American photographer Corky Lee. A Q&A with executive producer George Hirose and producer Linda Lew Woo will follow.
- “Shape of Red”: Satoshi Tsumabuki, last year’s Japan Academy Award winner for Best Actor, stars in the US premiere of acclaimed Japanese director Yukiko Mishima’s new film, based on Shimamoto Rio’s novel “Red.” A Q&A with director Mishima will follow.
Community Across Generations:
- “Go For Grandma”: “Succession” star Justine Lupe and Academy Award nominee Amy Madigan star as a flawed mother-daughter duo in this imaginative short film directed by Sabrina Doyle. A Q&A with the writer, high school student Lucian Nakazato-Patterson, will follow.
- “Wiffle Ball”: Former ESPN reporter Kenny Mayne, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ken Burns star in this nostalgic Seattle-based documentary short. World Premiere. A Q&A with director Mayne will follow.
- “The Italians”: Abigail Breslin, Matthew Daddario, Rob Estes, Michelle Danner, and Perrey Reeves star in this feature film, a family dramedy directed by Michelle Danner. A Q&A with director Danner will follow.
- “The Allnighter”: David Koechner, James Russo, Tiny Lister, Owen Beckman, Gretchen Lodge and Justine Bateman star in Aimee Graham’s directorial debut feature about family and the defence mechanisms they unconsciously create. A Q&A with director Graham will follow.
- “What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith”: Bruce Greenwood, Wayne Knight and Frank Noon star in a story about a famous country singer who disappeared at the height of his career and tries to make things right with his son before it is too late. Directed by Benjamin Pollack. A Q&A with Pollack will follow.
Animated Visions:
- “Insects in the City”: Mark Polish’s animated comedy series pilot offers a humorous look at urban life through the eyes of insects. A Q&A with Polish will follow.
Noteworthy Short Films:
- “Sugarman”: Seattle’s free-spirited Olympic Gold Medalist, Sugar Ray Seales, loses his eyesight and boxing career before finding one last shot in this documentary, directed by Michael Husain. A Q&A with Sugar Ray Seales and producer Bryan Boyd will follow.
- “Talking In Your Sleep”: John Leguizamo stars in this short music video directed by Ashley Monet and Juancho Rodriguez. A Q&A with directors Monet and Rodriguez will follow.
The 9th annual Seattle Film Festival Award Show will take place on June 30 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, celebrating this year’s achievements in filmmaking.
Sponsors: The Seattle Film Festival thanks its sponsors:
- Maison Ferrand
- Citadelle Gin De France
- Planteray Rum
- LAF Tech
- ΘΔΧ University of Washington
For a complete list of films, screening times, theater tickets, special events, and panel discussions, please visit www.theseattlefilmfestival.com.
For movie theater tickets: https://www.theseattlefilmfestival.com/2024-film-schedule
Media Contact: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575
Media is invited to attend any screening with prior notice by emailing william@theseattlefilmfestival.com
Tickets for the awards show gala at the Edmonds Center for the Arts purchased here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35655/performance/11457930?performanceId=11457930