Dear Northwest Film Forum Community,

In light of ever-changing circumstances around COVID-19, and in our best attempts to be responsive to community and public health needs, NWFF will temporarily be closing our physical space to public events.

This decision does not come lightly. The detrimental impacts of COVID-19 are massive, with a disproportionate impact on small businesses, nonprofits, students, artists, gig workers, and many other marginalized groups who lack strong social safety nets. We are not independent of that, and in this time, we ask you for your support. If possible, please consider making a donation to our organization or becoming a member: nwfilmforum.org/donate

Regardless of all that is happening in the world, we at NWFF are proud to celebrate our 25th Anniversary this year. Our organization has evolved from a filmmaker’s collective into a robust multimedia hub, film center, and community space which serves a large cross-section of Seattle’s creative, nonprofit, and grassroots communities. Our ability to remain nimble and adaptable in times of crises is one of our strong suits.

Art offers hope, and it must endure especially in times of difficulty. Please stay tuned for important programmatic announcements on our end, starting Monday, March 16. This will include ways to bring certain aspects of BYDESIGN FESTIVAL – bit.ly/bydesign2020 – and other programming onto a virtual platform. We are currently designing a number of innovative and adaptable solutions to build community, foster dialogue, continue education, and further our increasingly vital mission.

To stay up-to-date, please follow us online through any of these platforms:

• Newsletter Signup: nwfilmforum.org/about-us/newsletter-signup/
• Facebook: @nwfilmforum
• Instagram: @nwfilmforum
• YouTube: youtube.com/nwfilmforum
• Vimeo: vimeo.com/northwestfilmforum

Thank you for being a part of our community,

Northwest Film Forum’s Staff & Board

 

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COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE  – MARCH 12, 2020

Dear Film Forum community,

On March 11, Governor Jay Inslee made a proclamation which prohibits groups over 250 from gathering. Rest assured that none of Northwest Film Forum’s events will hit that level of capacity, and we will be maintaining a 33%-50% cap on ticket sales (though most will fall far below that) to ensure that patrons have ample space to spread out in the cinema and have a healthy recommended 6-foot distance between themselves and their neighbors.

We acknowledge that the social and financial impacts of COVID-19 have illuminated how vulnerable small businesses, nonprofits, students, artists, service industry workers, and many other marginalized groups are in times of crisis and uncertainty. We ask for everyone’s continued support, understanding, and collaboration throughout this process. As we closely attend to local public health updates and protocols, Northwest Film Forum will continue to assess each of our events individually, with serious care and input from our community.

Please bookmark this page for the most up-to-date information around the NWFF’s response to the virus.

Here are practices we are employing based off of King County’s guidelines, including some requests we are making of you:

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STAY HOME IF YOU ARE ILL OR SUSCEPTIBLE.

We encourage patrons and staff members to stay home if they are showing any signs of sickness, whether that is suspected to be virus-related or otherwise. Those over 60 years old, are pregnant, OR have underlying medical conditions which make them susceptible to the virus (such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system) are also encouraged to stay home. King County’s current recommendations include: checking for fever over 100.4 twice daily, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Further screening guidance to come. In the meantime, if you suspect you have COVID-19 or are displaying its symptoms, please visit bit.ly/covidsymp for details.

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WE’RE KEEPING IT CLEAN.

We are increasing the frequency of cleaning throughout our cinema, with special attention placed on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, and armrests. Guests are also encouraged to bring additional wipes or sanitization supplies as an additional precaution to cleaning their own space.

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PRACTICE EXCELLENT PERSONAL HYGIENE.

Use the 20-second rule when washing with soap and warm water, or put on hand sanitizer, which will be available at the theater for staff and customers. Please also avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face, and engage in healthy practices to maintain a healthy immune system. See full list of King County guidelines: bit.ly/kingcountyvirus2020

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MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Northwest Film Forum is limiting seating capacity to 50% in our large cinema and 33% in our small cinema. Please maintain 6-feet of distance between patrons whenever possible.

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EVENT & SCREENING REFUNDS.

Through April 15, Northwest Film Forum will be happy to process a ticket refund before the show if you have a known risk for having contracted COVID-19 or if you’re not feeling well. Please email your full name and order number to Managing Director Chris Day at chris@nwfilmforum.org prior to the screening, and we will be happy to assist you in securing a refund for your unused ticket. If you are unable to attend, you can also choose to have your ticket count as a donation to Northwest Film Forum at this crucial time, or make a contribution at nwfilmforum.org/donate

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WORKSHOP REFUNDS.

For upcoming (March 12-April 30) workshop registrations, if you have a known risk of having contracted COVID-19 or if you’re not feeling well and are unable to attend, please e-mail jonah@nwfilmforum.org for refund and transfer options. If you are unable to attend, you can also choose to have your registration count as a donation to Northwest Film Forum at this crucial time, or make a contribution at nwfilmforum.org/donate

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DISCRIMINATION HARMS PUBLIC HEALTH.

The impact of this virus disproportionately affects small organizations, service workers, and otherwise marginalized individuals. Those who are experiencing sickness or communities which are closely impacted need community support and compassion at this time. Furthermore, of Asian descent, including Chinese Americans, are not more likely to get coronavirus than anyone else. Let’s fight this public health concern with compassion and science, not fear and discrimination.

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Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our House Manager Louie Romo at louie@nwfilmforum.org or Executive Director Vivian Hua at vivian@nwfilmforum.org.

Thank you for your understanding and your willingness to support us in this time!

Northwest Film Forum

 

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*** COVID-19 / BYDESIGN 2020 UPDATE – MARCH 11 ***

First off, we really want to express a heartfelt thank you to members of our community–individuals and partner organizations–who have reached out to express their support for Northwest Film Forum during these tough times. The social and financial impacts of COVID-19 have illuminated how vulnerable small businesses, nonprofits, students, artists, service industry workers, and many other marginalized groups are in times of fear and uncertainty.

 

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*** MARCH 5 UPDATE ***

Dear NWFF Community,

Northwest Film Forum is closely following public health recommendations released by the city, county, and state regarding COVID-19. We believe in the power of community to remain resilient and adaptive in these times, and we are committed to prioritizing the health of our students, audience, artists, volunteers, and staff.

It is important to note that King County has not mandated public closures or cancellations, and as such, some of our programming will proceed as planned. We are currently assessing NWFF events on a case-by-case basis.