The 52nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival begins this evening, bringing 11 days of movie magic back to the Pacific Northwest. 

Over 200 films from more than 70 countries are on the docket, with features, shorts, documentaries, and – for the brave at heart – SECRET screenings on both Sundays of the festival. 

It’s been a tough year for SIFF, the organization that runs the festival... 

The closure of the Egyptian Theater in Capitol Hill and layoffs loom large, while staffing issues and contract negotiations with SIFF’s Cinema Workers’ Union remain unresolved. Those talks have been put on hold until after the Festival. 

This year’s fest kicks off at the Paramount Theater with Boots Riley’s “I Love Boosters,” tonight at 7pm.

GUEST: Megan Leonard - SIFF’s Festival Programming Manager

LINKS: 
Seattle International Film Festival
SIFF 2026 Program 
Programmers' Picks: Megan Leonard on SIFF 2026

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The 52nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival begins this evening, bringing 11 days of movie magic back to the Pacific Northwest.&nbsp;
Over 200 films from more than 70 countries are on the docket, with features, shorts, documentaries, and &ndash; for the brave at heart &ndash; SECRET screenings on both Sundays of the festival.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s been a tough year for SIFF,&nbsp;the organization that runs the festival...&nbsp;
The closure of the Egyptian Theater in Capitol Hill and layoffs loom large, while staffing issues and contract negotiations with SIFF&rsquo;s Cinema Workers&rsquo; Union remain unresolved. Those talks have been put on hold until after the Festival.&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s fest kicks off at the Paramount Theater with Boots Riley&rsquo;s &ldquo;I Love Boosters,&rdquo; tonight at 7pm. GUEST:&nbsp;<a href="https://letterboxd.com/siff/story/meet-the-programmer-megan-leonard/">Megan Leonard</a> - SIFF&rsquo;s Festival Programming Manager
LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/festival">Seattle International Film Festival</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/documents/Festival/2026_FESTIVAL/Program_SeattleInternationalFilmFestival2026.pdf">SIFF 2026 Program</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/festival/programmers-picks-2026/megan-leonard-2026">Programmers' Picks: Megan Leonard on SIFF 2026</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

SIFF’s Festival Programming Manager, Megan Leonard, sits down with Soundside's Libby Denkmann to give a quick preview of this year's festival!