SIFF unveils complete lineup for its 2022 film fest.

This time last week, we only knew a handful of films that would be making their way to the big screen for the 48th Seattle International Film Festival.

Today, the number of known films that will hit the screen at SIFF has multiplied 20 times over.

SIFF just announced its complete lineup for this year’s fest which includes 262 films. That breaks down to 107 features, 41 docs and a bunch of shorts.

Given that the pandemic has upended the way we move about, SIFF is embracing the hybrid model this year. Meaning, you’ll be able to go to one of the eight venues screening films from April 14-24. Or, you can kick back and enjoy the fest from the comfort of your sofa.

SIFF starts the festivities with an opening night screening of “Navalny.” A rather timely selection, this doc follows the attempted assassination of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. It can get intense. However, the mood will lighten a bit with a block party afterward outside the Egyptian Theatre.

Several well-known actors (Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, and Chris Messina) close out the fest with “Call Jane.” Set in the 60’s, the film shines a light on the tough decisions that had to be made at a time when abortions were illegal. This, of course, takes on added urgency given the recent actions by some states.

In between opening and closing night, there are countless of films that are buzzworthy, edifying, scary, funny, poignant and confounding. But most of all, just plain entertaining.

Our list of must see films is long. We caught a couple of them in recent weeks at SXSW which we highly recommend including: “The Pez Outlaw,” “Skate Dreams,” “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” and “Cha Cha Real Smooth.”

With just 11 days to take it all in, some films will unfortunately go unseen. But, here are 7 films on our list we are initially highlighting.  There will be more recommendations and reviews to come.

_{All film descriptors courtesy of SIFF}

“Everything Went Fine”
François Ozon directs Sophie Marceau as a woman coming to terms with her father’s final wish: to end his life on his own terms.

“Hit the Road”
A tender, tense, and touching road trip movie as a family of four drive across the Iranian countryside and into the mountains.

“The Innocents”
A chilling supernatural thriller about a group of children who secretly discover that they share dark and mysterious powers.

“Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story”
Experience the Big Easy on the big screen through 50 years of the funky and fabulous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

“Love Charlie, The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter”
This culinary bad-boy/superstar had it all: wealth, adoration, a world-famous restaurant…and a self-destructive streak.

“Resurrection”
An executive is menaced by her creepy ex. Hang on for jaw-dropping twists and Rebecca Hall’s stunning performance.

Catch these, and other SIFF films, at SIFF Cinema Uptown, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, SIFF Film Center, AMC Pacific Place 11, Majestic Bay Theatres, The Paramount Theatre, Ark Lodge Cinemas, and Shoreline Community College Theater.

For those streaming, more than 100 feature films and shorts packages are available on the SIFF Channel.

You can check out the full lineup here. Once you’ve made your list, grab your ticket package here. 

Since the Leonard Bernstein doc is on our list, we’ll leave you with this incomparable West Side Story interpretation from Oscar Petersen.