SIFF Turns 50 (Sorta) And This Year’s Festival Is Smart Enough To Bring Jean Smart To Town!

As mentioned, SIFF is turning 50ish this year (despite the fact they’re really not but arty types are notoriously poor at mathin’) and they’re making a big deal over it with all sorts of great film events, programs, and parties spread out over the festival happening from May 9th through May 19th. There’s the big opening night film at The Paramount, “Thelma” with adorable June Squibb on hand. And, a terrific closing night film with A24’s local premiere of “Sing Sing” with cast being honored at the screening with a special Golden Needle Award.

There’s also 200+ films including 20 LGBTQ+ ones to check out.

But, we’re probably most excited because SIFF will be hosting a conversation with the fantabulous actress JEAN SMART who will show up to get an award and have a conversation at the former Cinerama aka the new SIFF Downtown on May 18th. Ms Smart is, of course, a beloved actor for her work over the last 5 decades in many popular TV shows and films like Designing Women and Hacks but she’s also a native of Seattle who got her start doing theater here ‘back in the day’.

She’s also managed the rare feat of snagging wins in all three comedy acting categories at the EMMYS…Best Actress twice for Hacks; Best Supporting Actress once for Samantha Who? and two wins as Best Guest Actress for her work on Frasier. Though we’re still annoyed she was never nominated for Designing Women, where she was terrific as Charlene.

More intel:

We are thrilled to host Jean Smart as she receives The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award.

To mark Smart’s indelible imprint on entertainment, The Hollywood Reporter is honoring the Seattle native and “Hacks” star with the Trailblazer Award at this year’s Seattle International Film Festival. Smart will sit down with THR Contributing Editor Stacey Wilson Hunt at SIFF Cinema Downtown to discuss her career from her Seattle Rep roots to her iconic turn as the “Hacks” leading diva, Deborah Vance—a role for which she’s won two Emmys, anointing her one of only two actors to earn trophies in comedy lead, supporting, and guest roles. The event will include a special preview screening of Episode 307 of “Hacks.” Smart fans, “Hacks” fans: this is a must-attend event!

Event Ticket: $21.50 Members | $26.50 Non-Members

https://www.siff.net/festival/a-conversation-with-jean-smart

Seattle International Film Festival  · May 9-19 · Various venues across Seattle
Opening Night Red Carpet Experience · May 9 · Seattle Convention Center
Opening Night Film (Thelma) & Party · May 9 · Paramount Theatre
Thelma · May 9 · Paramount Theatre
A Conversation with June Squibb · May 11 · Downtown
SIFF & CFC Event – The NeverEnding Story · May 14 · Egyptian
A Conversation with Jean Smart · May 18 · Downtown
Sing Sing · May 18 · Downtown
Closing Night Party · May 18 · MOHAI