The in-person portion of the Seattle International Film festival closed this weekend — first with a Gala screening of Sing Sing and a party at MOHAI on Saturday, then with the Golden Space Needle Brunch on Sunday morning. The festival continues through the weekend with about 50 titles still playing online, but we took this transition from theatrical to home-viewing to catch our breaths and share our experience with this year’s big birthday event.

Two SIFF features with different approaches to portraying the transformative power of theater, be it in the carceral system or the prison of one’s own heart.

A trio of imperfect films that nevertheless give viewers entry into the past and present of unfamiliar parts of our world.

Capsule reviews from SIFF. Bob Trevino Likes it is the laugh, cry, and scream, heartbreaker hit of the festival.

The “I” in SIFF might stand for “International” but just because the festival brings in films from all around the world you shouldn’t sleep on its selections with local connections. Below are capsule reviews of the Northwest Connections program.