October is proving to show an embarrassment of riches in terms of film festivals. SIFF’s DocFest is wrapping up tonight just as we usher in the Seattle Queer Film Festival. Always bringing the finest LGBTQ+ films to the Pacific Northwest, this year’s festival looks different than in years past. This year, it’s enormous with some 150 films playing, as well as live podcast tapings, parties, meetups, and even an art show. It runs from tonight, October 13 to October 23.
I wanted to learn more about more about how SQFF became super-sized and what’s in store so I sent some questions over to Three Dollar Bill managing director Billy Ray Brewton and SQFF’s festival director Kathleen Mullen. They were kind enough to answer my queries, and they answered as one unified voice of the festival.
Am I imagining things or is SQFF this year quite a bit larger than you’ve done in years past? 150 films is a quite impressive total for a film festival!
You are NOT imagining things. Our 27th annual festival is larger in a number ways. Not only are we screening 150+ films, but we also have incredible parties, live and virtual podcasts, and so much more! This is really our first fully-formed festival since the pandemic, and we wanted to provide Seattle audiences with as much programming as possible. Whether it’s a weekend or weekday, there should be something during the entire 11-day run to excite and entertain audiences. We’re also committed to providing the festival to EVERYONE, regardless of income level. We have accessibility passes, special discounts on 5pm screenings, and want to make sure that anyone who wants to experience our festival can.
How was it different programming this festival versus years past, before the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic changed A LOT for us, and most non-profits. But change isn’t necessarily bad. Now we have a much more stringent commitment to providing both in-person and virtual content. Our virtual programming is available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, and we have gone out of our way to make certain the virtual experience is just as fruitful as our in-person experience. The pandemic has also allowed us to really focus on community in a substantive way. An example of virtual-only content is our Tea Time series with The Duchess Ava Davis. Ava entertains guests from the festival and offers their very specific brand of humor and insight. It’s a delightful respite from the onslaught of incredible queer films.
There are a lot of different things besides films that are part of SQFF. Can you talk about some things that festival goers might not know about or might be different from what they expect from a film festival?
Apart from our film offerings, we’re expanding our live podcast output with FOUR recordings for 2022. Live at the W Hotel we are presenting the “Fruitbowl” and “Gal Pals Watch” podcasts. And, streaming virtually, are the “Screen Drafts” and “Disability After Dark” podcasts. But we’re also partnering with Museum of Museums for the “Motorbike/Superdyke” exhibition; working with various queer-owned businesses for Gay, Sapphic, and QTBIPOC meet-ups; and presenting a Magic Fair where local vendors will be present to help us spread the word about ‘queer magic’.
Are there some things you might steer new festival goers towards?
Our gala screenings are better than ever this year, whether it’s our opening night screening of the World Premiere of What the Funk? or our closing night screening of the International Premiere of Golden Delicious. Both are QTBIPOC films and we are very honored to present them to Seattle audiences. But our Centerpiece double feature is also a genre-fueled evening of laughs, with Scout Durwood’s Youtopia and Daniel Montgomery’s The Jessica Cabin. Filmmakers will be in-attendance. Our gala screenings all have a party element attached. Our opening night concludes with an after party at Lo-Fi; our centerpiece films feature a liquor tasting at Broadway Performance Hall; and closing night party is at Century Ballroom with food provided by Peony.
Do you have any favorite movies that you’re particularly fond of that you would really love for people to check out?
In from the Side is the hot gay rugby movie you didn’t know you needed. Maybe Someday is the new feature from popular SQFF alum Michelle Ehlen. And Bazzooka is a super fun local feature with a predominantly QTBIPOC cast. Finally – if you’re a fan of legend Charles Busch – you’ll definitely want to check out The Sixth Reel. It, alongside all of our weekday 5pm screenings, are only $5. These are just a few can’t miss choices at this year’s festival. For our full rundown, we encourage folks to visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org.