The Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) is an independent film and arts nonprofit in the city of Seattle, Washington that hosts screenings, festivals, community events, multidisciplinary performances, and public discussions each year.[1][2] Northwest Film Forum is located in Seattle's Capitol Hill.

Northwest Film Forum
Map
Address1515 12th Avenue
Seattle, Washington
United States of America
Coordinates47°36′52″N 122°19′01″W / 47.6144138°N 122.317071°W / 47.6144138; -122.317071
OwnerNorthwest Film Forum
Capacity156
Screens2
Current useFilm
Website
nwfilmforum.org

History

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Founded in 1995[3] by filmmakers Jamie Hook and Deborah Girdwood and a group of film enthusiasts, NWFF traces its origin to the 1995 launch of WigglyWorld Studios, a post-production outfit that got its start on Capitol Hill.[4] At the time, Hook and Girdwood were exploring an expansion into their own theater, alongside Michael Seiwerath, as the organization quickly grew into other aspects of film, including teaching and screening.[5]

In its early years, NWFF operated as a nomadic organization, screening films at various venues around Seattle. However, in 1997, it found a permanent home in the Capitol Hill Arts Center (CHAC), a historic building that had previously served as a meeting place for the Odd Fellows fraternal organization.[6]

With its new home secured, NWFF began to expand its programming and outreach efforts, with the support of Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer and other donors.[7] After changing its name, the nonprofit took over management of the U-Districts’ Grand Illusion Theater in 1997.[7] Two years later, it opened The Little Theatre at 19th and Mercer.[7][8]

In 2008, it moved to a new to a redesigned 8,000-square-foot facility.[9] It continues to host the Local Sightings Film Festival annually, highlighting the works of local northwest filmmakers.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Bernstein, Paula (June 8, 2016). "How Northwest Film Forum Is Re-defining Role of the Regional Film Center". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Pennick, Bailey (January 28, 2022). "Get to Know Our Satellite Screens: Northwest Film Forum in Seattle, Washington". Sundance Institute Blog. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Macdonald, Moira (March 6, 2009). "Lyall Bush named director of NW Film Forum". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Hackett, Regina (April 14, 2005). "Northwest Film Forum: Seattle's cultural focal point". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Nichols, Travis (April 24, 2008). "Northwest Film Forum's shrewd and nervy chief is ready for his sequel". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Cohen, Bryan (May 14, 2015). "20 years of independence at Capitol Hill's Northwest Film Forum comes as director plans exit". Capitol Hill Seattle Blog.
  7. ^ a b c Cohen, Bryan (May 14, 2015). "20 years of independence at Capitol Hill's Northwest Film Forum". Capitol Hill Seattle Blog. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  8. ^ Kiley, Brendan (December 27, 2019). "End of the decade: 10 notable developments in Seattle's arts and culture scene in the 2010s". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  9. ^ Macdonald, Moira (February 29, 2008). "NW Film Forum director is leaving". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  10. ^ Hutchinson, Chase (September 12, 2023). "A Seattle rapper takes center stage in 'Fantasy A Gets a Mattress'". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  11. ^ McCall, Vivian (April 30, 2024). "Northwest Film Forum Laid Off Nearly Half Its Staff". The Stranger. Retrieved May 5, 2024.