Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (STIFF)
Encyclopedia
Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival (STIFF) was started in 2005 by a group of filmmakers whose feature film Swamper was rejected by the Seattle International Film Festival
. STIFF was modeled after the Slamdance Film Festival
in Park City UT as a way to champion local and true independent films that they felt were being left out of the local film program. The Stranger
film critic, Andrew Wright described it as “like a belch in church (in the best possible way)” All films that screen at STIFF receive a one-of a kind award called a “STIFFY”. Past STIFFIES run the gamut from “Best Buddy Movie”, to “Hottest Zombie”. On average, STIFF receives close to 500 submissions per year and screens over 125 films as part of the ten day event.
, The Showbox and Nuemos.
and comics from the People’s Republic of Komedy.
, Blood Car
, SNUFF
, High Score, and Nerdcore For Life
.
HUMP! contest. Renowned indie director, and STIFF alum Lynn Shelton
has since directed a film about that contest called Humpday
which was accepted into the Sundance film festival
and many other festivals.
Seattle International Film Festival
The Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
. STIFF was modeled after the Slamdance Film Festival
Slamdance Film Festival
As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent in the film industry; it is also the only major film festival fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the...
in Park City UT as a way to champion local and true independent films that they felt were being left out of the local film program. The Stranger
The Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
film critic, Andrew Wright described it as “like a belch in church (in the best possible way)” All films that screen at STIFF receive a one-of a kind award called a “STIFFY”. Past STIFFIES run the gamut from “Best Buddy Movie”, to “Hottest Zombie”. On average, STIFF receives close to 500 submissions per year and screens over 125 films as part of the ten day event.
Venues
STIFF takes place at multiple venues throughout Seattle and strives to screen movies at unique theaters that serve food, beer, wine and alcohol during the screening. The Jewel Box at The Rendezvous’ has been a STIFF venue since 2005, Central Cinema has been an annual venue since 2006 and other venues have included the Seattle Art Museum, Northwest Film ForumNorthwest Film Forum
Northwest Film Forum is a non-profit film arts organization established in Seattle in 1995. NWFF operates a two-screen movie theater year-round in Seattle, but also offers workshops, equipment rentals, and filmmaking grants and sponsorships in support of local cinema...
, The Showbox and Nuemos.
Music and comedy
The festival has grown in the past several years to include music and comedy with performances by such notable musicians as MobyMoby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
and comics from the People’s Republic of Komedy.
Leadership
STIFF was the brainchild of Clint Berquist, who continues to serve as the managing director. Kevin Gilbert served as the first STIFF program director. He retired after the 2007 festival concluded to focus on his acting career. Program Director duties were taken over at that time by Brian Shelley who continues to serve today.STIFF Nights
In September 2006, STIFF began hosting a monthly screening series which runs the last Thursday of every month at Central Cinema called STIFF Nights. Its goal is to feature an up and coming True Independent film. STIFF Nights is currated by Spencer Fornaciari and has screened award-winning films such as Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell, Murder PartyMurder Party
Murder Party is an American comedy-horror film directed by Jeremy Saulnier. It was shot in Brooklyn, New York. It was given the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. -Plot:...
, Blood Car
Blood Car
Blood Car is a 2007 black comedy film set in the not-too-distant future where gasoline prices have become exorbitant . Things take a turn for the worse when a kindergarten teacher invents a car that runs on a different fuel source: blood.-Plot:Archie Andrews is a vegan kindergarten teacher who...
, SNUFF
Snuff
Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century...
, High Score, and Nerdcore For Life
Nerdcore For Life
Nerdcore for Life is a 2008 documentary film about the world of Nerdcore hip-hop directed Dan Lamoureux and produced by Crapbot Productions.-About the film:...
.
HUMP! censorship flap
STIFF got into a censorship flap with a printer (Wright Business Graphics) when they refused to print their program on moral grounds that it had an advertisement for The StrangersThe Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
HUMP! contest. Renowned indie director, and STIFF alum Lynn Shelton
Lynn Shelton
Lynn Shelton is an American director known for writing, directing, and producing the 2009 film Humpday.-Early life, and education:Shelton grew up in Seattle. She describes herself as having been audacious as a young girl, but having lost confidence in her creativity in adolescence...
has since directed a film about that contest called Humpday
Humpday
Humpday is a 2009 American comedy film starring Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, and Alycia Delmore; and directed, produced, and written by Lynn Shelton. It premiered at the 2009 Sundance film festival. International distribution rights have been purchased by Magnolia Pictures for a mid-six figure sum...
which was accepted into the Sundance film festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and many other festivals.
External links
- STIFF Website http://www.trueindependent.org
- Seattle Times 2009 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2009278704_stiff31.html
- Moby http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/366378_moby10q.html
- Like a Belch http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=37183
- Censorship Flap http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/they_saw_the_hump_3_ad_and_completely_fr
- Seattle Times 2007 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003714027_stiff21.html
- Seattle Times 2006 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2003031518_stiff01.html
- STIFF Nights http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=67562
- The MacGuffin Film Podcast http://MacGuffinPodcast.com/1