(SIFF 2014) Wrap Up: The Best, Good, Average, Below Average and BAD Films according to MK!

by MK Scott

After 25 Days, I managed to see only 37 out of the 440 films at the 40th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. I saw  28 Features and 9 Shorts, Mostly Gay and Doc oriented. The List below is what I thought was the BEST, GOOD, Above Average, AVERAGE, and Below Average. Be sure to catch these at a Film Festival or theater in the coming year.

(SIFF 2014) 2014 Golden Space Needle and Competition Awards!

Boyhood was a Big winner and  this took 10 years to make!

SEATTLE -- June 8, 2014 -- The 40th Seattle International Film Festival, the largest and most highly attended film festival in the United States, today announced the winners of the SIFF 2014 Golden Space Needle and Competition Awards. The awards were presented at a ceremony and brunch held at the Space Needle. The 25-day festival, which began May 15, featured 452 films representing 83 countries, including 44 World Premieres (20 features, 24 shorts), 30 North American Premieres (22 features, 8 shorts), 14 US Premieres (8 features, 6 shorts), and over 770 Festival screenings and events. Additionally, SIFF brought in more than 350 filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals, setting a new guest record.

Carl Spence, SIFF's Artistic Director, says, "This has been an extraordinary 40th anniversary Festival. From welcoming back Richard Linklater to Seattle with his groundbreaking epic Boyhood, to honoring Laura Dern, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Quincy Jones for their masterful work, to welcoming Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who has brought Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life for years, to the hundreds of first-time directors making their debut, it's been another year of indelible cinematic experiences. Every year, it's so thrilling to see our legendary Seattle audiences discover our lineup of films and wholly immerse themselves in the Festival experience. Congratulations to every single film and filmmaker that we had the opportunity to present!"

Adds Mary Bacarella, SIFF's Managing Director, "Beginning with our big Opening Night announcement about the purchase of the SIFF Cinema Uptown and lease on the historic Egyptian Theatre, this Festival has blown away all of my expectations. Each day (and there's 25 of them!) seemed to bring even more exciting events and can't-miss moments. I'm thrilled to be leading SIFF in this time of growth, and can't wait to get to work on bringing incredible films to two neighborhood cinemas."

(ED...4 LGBT Films were nominated and 2 wins with Best Short-Documentary with Maikaru and a Special Mention for Live Action Short, Aban + Khorshid.)

(SIFFtv): Craig Johnson talks Skeleton Twins!

In this episode of SIFFtv 2014, the talented director Craig Johnson joins us for a candid conversation about how he approached the screenplay, casting Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, and balancing the comedic with the sincere.

(SIFFtv): Chiwetel Ejiofor talks Half of a Yellow Sun!

The Seattle International Film Festival was thrilled to present Chiwetel Ejiofor with the 2014 Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award. Prior to the ceremony, Ejiofor joined SIFFtv to discuss his latest roles, methodology, and how he finds inspiration as an actor and as a director.

(SIFFtv): Clark Gregg talks Trust Me!

The Seattle International Film Festival was excited to welcome back Clark Gregg (MARVEL), this time for TRUST ME, a film he wrote, directed, and starred in. Gregg chats about how his years in the film industry inspired the script for this Hollywood coming-of-age.

(SIFFtv): Director John Ridley talks Jimi Hendrix biopic!

SIFF 2014 Opening Night Gala screening of Jimi: All Is By My Side packed the McCaw hall in Seattle. Director John Ridley talks about this unique film about Jimi Hendrix's early years.