Being a movie buff in Seattle feels a little… unsettled right now.

That’s because there’s been a lot of changes at SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival, which has been the vanguard when it comes to all things movies.

The organization announced Monday, it was undergoing an organizational restructuring, including some layoffs.

This follows a somewhat tumultuous year for SIFF. For more, we're joined by... 

GUESTS:
Chase Hutchinson, critic and freelance reporter, who often covers SIFF for the Seattle Times

RELATED LINK: 


SIFF announces more layoffs, organizational restructuring | The Seattle Times 

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.

Being a movie buff in Seattle feels a little&hellip; unsettled right now.
That&rsquo;s because there&rsquo;s been a lot of changes at SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival, which has been the vanguard when it comes to all things movies.
The organization announced Monday, it was undergoing an organizational restructuring, including some layoffs.
This follows a somewhat tumultuous year for SIFF. For more, we're joined by...&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/chase-hutchinson/">Chase Hutchinson</a>, critic and freelance reporter, who often covers SIFF for the Seattle Times</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINK:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/siff-announces-more-layoffs-organizational-restructuring/">SIFF announces more layoffs, organizational restructuring | The Seattle Times</a>&nbsp;
</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

Seattle film critic and freelance reporter Chase Hutchinson joins Soundside to talk about the latest news out of SIFF and what to expect as we move into 2026.

Organizational restructuring at SIFF leads to layoffs... again

If you’ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.

Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.

That statue is a gift to the city from the government of India.

People from India represent more than 10 percent of Washington’s foreign-born residents. As of 2024, nearly 95,000 King County residents were born there. 

The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.

The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India. 

Guest


Consul General Prakash Gupta

Related Links

America's First Guru - PBS

Trump’s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program & As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.  - The New York Times

 

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.

If you&rsquo;ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you&rsquo;ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.
Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.
That statue is a <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/new-statue-in-westlake-park-honors-indian-philosopher-swami-vivekananda/">gift to the city</a> from the government of India.
People from India represent more than <a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/WA">10 percent of Washington&rsquo;s foreign-born</a> residents. As of 2024, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/share-of-wa-born-king-county-residents-at-lowest-point-since-1930s/">nearly 95,000 King County residents</a> were born there.&nbsp;
The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.
The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India.&nbsp;
Guest 
Consul General Prakash Gupta <a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/"></a>Related Links
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/">America's First Guru</a> - PBS
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/us/politics/h1b-visa-program-changes.html">Trump&rsquo;s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/video/h-1b-visa-skilled-workers-trump.html">As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.&nbsp;</a> - The New York Times
&nbsp;
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.

Despite a changing U.S. political landscape, ties between the Pacific Northwest and India remain strong, according to our region's top diplomat

The PNW-India relationship, from Cosmic Crisp apples to tech  

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.

Related links:
DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard
Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times
Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ
More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO

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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest:&nbsp;Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/21/doj-investigating-university-of-washington-over-antisemitism-concerns/">DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/">Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/04/22/bill-gates-foundation-jeffrey-epstein-files/2d272686-3e73-11f1-bb46-ed564688d953_story.html">Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ</a></li>
<li><a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/30-pickleball-courts-in-seattle-could-be-gone-under-parks-and-rec-proposal">More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO</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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: UW investigated, data center drama, and pickleball pushback

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.

One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend. 

Guest:

Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls

Relevant Links:

KUOW: US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada

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.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.
One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend.&nbsp;
Guest:
Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls
Relevant Links:
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/us-healthcare-workers-encouraged-to-consider-the-charms-of-canada">US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <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.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

Organizational restructuring at SIFF leads to layoffs... again

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