Month: March 2021

Festivals Roundtables SIFF

Roundtable: It’s Happening Again — SIFF is Virtually Back for 2021

by Josh

After being one of the first festivals of 2020 to go into hibernation when confronted with the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seattle International Film Festival is returning in (mostly) virtual format for 2021. Running from April 8-18 (early and abbreviated for SIFF, but still a long festival by most standards), most films will be available to at-home festival goers through their screen of choice. We chatted about our first reactions to the virtual festival, suggested strategies for approaching the program, and make some quick picks.

Festivals Reviews

SXSW 2021: The Hunt for Planet B

by Morgen Schuler

If you have plans for Halloween cancel them… or at least make sure to leave time to watch the launch of the James Webb telescope. If that sentence doesn’t excite or even interest you, it will after you watch The Hunt for Planet B.

Festivals Reviews

SXSW 2021: The Fallout

by Josh

Megan Park’s coming-of-age film starts like a typical high school day that takes a dark turn that’s also increasingly tragically common. The result ing story of the aftermath of a school shooting is a nuanced and emotionally riveting piece of storytelling that won audience and jury awards at this year’s SXSW film festival.

Festivals Reviews

SXSW 2021: Kid Candidate, Oxy Kingpins, WeWork, United States vs. Reality Winner

by Josh

Whenever I’m feeling indecisive at a film festival, I tend to default to documentaries. The highs may not be as high as with a surprisingly revelatory narrative feature, but the lows are rarely as low as a complete indie disaster. Reviews from four pretty-good documentary premieres from this year’s SXSW fit the bill with stories of would be public servants and scam artists.

Festivals Reviews

SXSW 2021: Select Short Films

by Morgen Schuler

I think I’m the only staffer at The Sunbreak that relishes the quick thrill of short films whether animated, dramatic, documentary, or horror. I had a limited time to spread that relish this time around so I chose to focus in on the animated shorts. Below are some of my favorites.