50th Seattle International Film Festival

May 9-19

    The 50th Seattle International Film Festival opens with Josh Margolin’s comedy Thelma.

      Thelma, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, follows 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) as she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her after being duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson. Thelma is an action comedy exploring aging, family, and autonomy based on a real-life experience of writer and director Josh Margolin’s grandmother and marks 94-year-old Squibb’s first leading film role.

     SIFF has been bringing extraordinary independent films from around the world to Seattle for half a century now. Beginning in 1976 with the annual Seattle International Film Festival, then expanding into year-round programming, SIFF is a  cultural arts organization whose mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world.

     In its four theaters, SIFF offers year-round screenings, Film Talks and a series of spotlight festivals throughout the year. SIFF also serves the community through educational programs and SIFFsupports, a partnership program that hosts and provides technical support to a variety of special screenings and festivals.