Local Sightings Film Festival 2018
About
21st Local Sightings Film Festival
September 21-29
Local Sightings is the Northwest’s premier showcase of new films, putting homegrown talent in front of Seattle audiences and connecting artists from Alaska to Oregon in a weeklong celebration of cinema from the region. Produced by Northwest Film Forum, the festival features new feature and short films, juried prizes, industry events, filmmaker workshops, live performances, and an opening night party fit for such a milestone edition.
Local Sightings is programmed via a competitive selection process, and Northwest Film Forum awards juried prizes at the festival to local filmmakers, that include cash grants, additional screening opportunities and in-kind post-production services and gear access.
2018 festival artwork by Lila Burns.
Local Sightings 2018 Film Festival Winners have been announced! Click here.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
Film Awards
Every year, Local Sightings awards one feature and one short film with a cash prize. Festival programmers select outstanding films for the festival’s competition, and guest jurors view the competing films during the festival to decide final awards. The winning feature filmmaker receives $500 in cash and additional screenings at Northwest Film Forum. The winning short filmmaker receives $250 in cash, $250 of studio time and equipment rental.
This year we are also expanding our awards structure to also include: Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Emerging Filmmaker (first-time director of a feature or short), and an Impact Award (best film for social change). Winners will receive industry giveaways from Northwest Film Forum, Northwest Camera Company, Clatter & Din, SIFF, Glazers, and Naked City Brewery.
Composition Prize
The Seattle Composers Alliance again will present awards for best original score, for features and shorts. Judges include Landon Ashby, Amy Denio, Soren Laulainen, Masha Lepire, and Susan Maughlin Wood. The winning feature composer receives $200 and the short composer $100.
Audience Awards
Naked City Brewery announces the sixth year of its Local Sightings audience award, featuring the people’s choice for best feature and short films. The winners will receive an encore at The Screening Room at the Brewery Taphouse in Greenwood. Look for voting boxes in the Film Forum lobby following each festival screening.
Local Sightings 2018 Film Festival Winners have been announced! Click here.
