SIFF, the largest film festival in the United States, is joining forces with the City of Issaquah Arts Commission to present the Issaquah International Film Festival.
SIFF hits the road Feb. 1-2, 2014, with a special program featuring some of the world’s best films — a unique combination of family favorites, recent arthouse successes and new films — presented in Trailhead City.
Join us for the festival at the Issaquah High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Second Ave. S.E. Tickets available at SIFF.net. Call 206-324-9996.
Before the festival opens with the animated tale “Khumba,” come early at 11 a.m. for brunch, with complimentary coffee and doughnuts provided by Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts.
Here’s a complete lineup of Issaquah International Film Festival offerings:
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014
Noon
“Khumba”Life is not all black and white for young zebra Khumba. Born with only half his stripes, he is rejected by his superstitious herd and blamed for a sudden drought affecting the land. Teaming up with a sassy wildebeest and a flamboyant ostrich, Khumba sets out on a daring mission across the Karoo desert to find the legendary waterhole where the first zebras got their stripes. Along the way he meets a host of colorful characters, but before he can reunite with his herd, Khumba will have to come face to face with a menacing leopard to take part in an epic battle. Khumba's gotta earn his stripes! (director: Anthony Silverston, South Africa, 2013, 85 minutes, animated)
3 p.m.
“Ghost Graduation”High school teacher Modesto sees dead people and it has effectively ruined his career. But when he gets one last chance at Monforte Academy, he discovers an ectoplasmic Breakfast Club haunting the school’s hallways. Now, he must help this spectral clique finish their studies in hopes of saving the school from closure. (director: Javier Ruiz Caldera, Spain, 2012, 88 minutes, English subtitles)
6 p.m.
“The Best Offer”Directed with a stylish flair by “Cinema Paradiso” filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, “The Best Offer” delivers a world of high art, intrigue and unconventional romance. A box-office smash in Italy, it collected six David di Donatello Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Starring Donald Sutherland, Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess and Sylvia Hoeks. (director: Giuseppe Tornatore, Italy, 2012, 131 minutes)
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014
Noon
“If You Build It”Designer-activists Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller run a compelling design and build project in rural Bertie County, the poorest in North Carolina, working with local high school students to transform both their community and their lives. Living on credit and grant money, and fighting a change-resistant school board, they lead their students through a yearlong, full-scale design program that does much more than just teach basic construction skills: it shows 13 teenagers the power of design-thinking to reinvent not just their town but their own sense of what's possible. (director: Patrick Creadon, United States, 2013, 86 minutes)
3 p.m.
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”In this madcap and lighthearted comedic romp, introverted optometrist Weichung begins to question his marriage with his wife Feng, upon learning of her desire to have another baby. At his sister's engagement party, Weichung bumps into an old friend, Stephen, a wedding photographer who, though also married, is living the high life of a younger, single gay man. When Stephen teases Weichung for his newly straitlaced lifestyle, dormant emotions are awakened in Weichung, setting him off on a quest for true romance and desire. (director: Arvin Chen, Taiwan/China, 2013, 104 minutes, English subtitles)
6 p.m.
“Populaire”It’s 1958 and Rose aspires to be more than just a housewife, so she goes to the city to become a secretary. Unfortunately, Rose is a terrible secretary but a devilishly good typist. Her handsome boss resolves to turn her into the fastest typist in the world, and a winner in international speed typing competitions. This high concept French romantic comedy combines a “Mad Men” aesthetic and an “I Love Lucy” sensibility. (director: Régis Roinsard, France, 2012, 111 minutes, English subtitles)
Created in 1988, the Issaquah Arts Commission enhances the quality of life for Issaquah citizens and visitors by supporting and encouraging visual and performing arts in and for the community.
Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education.