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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

SIFF 2015: The 41st edition is nearly here

Dan Webster

When it comes to film festivals, my attention goes first to that annual orgy of cinema we call the Spokane International Film Festival. Co-founded by the Contemporary Arts Alliance and the late Bob Glatzer, and headed over the past several years by Pete Porter, SpIFF — like the Magic Lantern — is the Inland Northwest's best reservoir of independent film.

Ah, but the region's biggest, longest and most massive film festival dates back to the 1980s and is set some 280 miles to the west. The Seattle International Film Festival may not be the most distinguished film event in the country, but it is easily top 10 in terms of offerings and navigational ease.

The 41st edition of SIFF, which opens May 14 and runs through June 7, will be open for ticket purchases tomorrow. That includes tickets both to the May 14 Gala Opening, which features the Melissa McCarthy offering "Spy," and to any of the 400-odd features and shorts that follow over the festival's 25-day run.

Click here for the SIFF box office. Or call (206) 324-9996.