Since 2005, Children’s Film Festival Seattle has used film as a tool for championing racial equity, diversity, inclusivity, social justice, global awareness, and the best in visual storytelling for young people. Crafted with care and concern for the urgent issues of the moment, the festival stands out for its ability to showcase the best and brightest in international cinema, while always upholding its values and commitment to creating intimate, community-minded viewing experiences.

Crafted with care to address urgent issues of the moment, Children’s Film Festival Seattle showcases the best and brightest in international cinema for young audiences, inspiring young people to participate as agents of change in their local and global communities. It is the largest film fest on the West Coast dedicated to children and their families.

This year’s fest marks an exciting milestone: CFFS is welcoming a new Festival Director, Kendra Ann Sherrill. After sixteen fabulous fests, founding festival director Elizabeth Shepherd entrusted Kendra with the leadership of this time-honored enterprise, and Kendra dove in to programming and planning the 2022 festival with gusto.

CFFS 2022 is presented as a hybrid, in-person-and-online festival, accessible to youth, families, and film lovers of any age across the country. Festival passes for each comfort/access level – in-person-only, virtual-only, and hybrid – are on sale now!

Each year, more than 25 youth ages 8-15 participate on youth-led juries to view films and award official prizes to CFFS’ short and feature films. Youth are the ultimate decision-makers on these panels, which provide an excellent opportunity for NWFF’s young film lovers to sharpen their critical eye and have meaningful opportunities to engage with other youth around issues of great importance to them.