The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) officially kicks off Thursday, May 15, with the North American premiere of “Four Mothers” at the Paramount Theatre, followed by the opening night afterparty. But that’s just the start—over the next 10 days, SIFF will light up screens across the city with a slate of 83 feature films and 122 shorts from around the world. With so much to choose from, it pays to make a plan—and we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 standout screenings to catch during the fest’s first five days.

Auction (May 16 & 18)
A long-lost painting, looted by the Nazis in 1939, resurfaces in a quiet French cottage which results in this telling of a true story of deception, discovery, and historical reckoning. 

F*cktoys (May 16 & 17)
Annapurna Sriram’s bold SXSW award-winner is a campy, candy-colored odyssey through Trashtown, where a cursed woman teams up with her nonbinary friend for a surreal sex work adventure. Expect outrageous visuals, biting commentary, and a magnificent turn from Big Freedia.

ShortFest Opening Night (May 16)
The best things come in small packages. The ShortsFest spotlight celebrates global storytelling in bite-sized brilliance, touching on all of the forms – documentary, animation, and narrative.

Monk in Pieces (May 16 & 17)
Visionary artist Meredith Monk reflects on her influential career as she stages her final project. Director Billy Shebar (who is scheduled to attend the fest) and Monk’s collaborators capture a close-up look at this avant-garde trailblazer.

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story (May 16 & 20)
Irish literary icon Edna O’Brien opens up in this documentary where we discover her path from a strict rural upbringing to becoming a kind of literary It Girl. Catch this love letter to literature, rebellion, and the kind of woman who never waited for permission.

Tinā (May 18 & 19)
A grieving Samoan teacher finds her voice – and her joy – through music in this heartfelt drama from Miki Magasiva. Both director and subject will be on hand following the screening to discuss this story of loss, healing, and cultural connection.  

The Balconettes (May 18 & 19)
Tensions rise—and tempers flare—during a sweltering Marseille summer in this genre-bending feminist noir from Noémie Merlant. Equal parts sharp comedy and suspense, this could be one of the fest’s most talked-about entries.

The Glass Web in 3-D (May 18)
Step back to 1953 with this newly restored noir, featuring Edward G. Robinson in a twisty tale of scandal and scheming – shown in its original 3D glory.

The Dark Crystal with DJ NicFit (May 20)
The cult fantasy classic gets a bold new soundtrack courtesy of Seattle’s own DJ NicFit, who spins a live remix to accompany Jim Henson’s otherworldly epic. A sensory experience that blends with nostalgia and innovation.

Luz (May 20 & 22)
This visually ambitious dual narrative unfolds in a virtual dreamscape: a former convict seeks reconciliation with his cam girl daughter, while a gallerist tends to her ailing French stepmother (Isabelle Huppert). Get ready for a cross-cultural journey through memory, technology, and regret.

Stay tuned—our second round of picks is coming soon!