The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) has pulled back the curtain on the first six films slated to screen at this year’s fest. Among the lineup are festival circuit darlings, award winners, and a much-anticipated sequel, offering a preview of what’s to come when SIFF’s full program of over 200 films is unveiled on April 23.

Leading the pack is Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud, a genre-blending thriller that follows an internet reseller whose success turns sour when vengeful vigilantes come knocking. Kurosawa’s latest should be a fun ride and it is definitely on our list of “must sees.”

Making its North American premiere is Dancing Queen in Hollywood, the sequel to SIFF 2023’s Golden Space Needle Best Film winner Dancing Queen. Director Aurora Gossé reunites audiences with Mina and Markus, two young dancers who land in Los Angeles hoping for a shot at a music video—only for Mina to find herself swept into the world of Hollywood filmmaking.

Italian director Ferzan Özpetek returns with Diamonds, featuring 18 of Italy’s most celebrated actresses. The drama tells the story of a Roman tailoring shop responsible for crafting costumes for the silver screen, with a touch of nostalgia wrapped in contemporary storytelling.

Award Winners

Award winners from Sundance also take center stage. DJ Ahmet, a North Macedonian coming-of-age dramedy about a teenage shepherd’s rebellion through electronic dance music, took home the World Cinema Audience Award. And, Brittany Shyne’s Seeds—a documentary chronicling Black farming families in Georgia—earned the US Grand Jury Prize for Documentary.

Rounding out the selection is Sally, Cristina Costantini’s documentary on astronaut Sally Ride, exploring her groundbreaking journey to space and her long-secret relationship with author and tennis player Tam O’Shaughnessy.

SIFF kicks off on May 15 with in person screenings through May 25. The fest will continue virtually on the SIFF Channel May 26 – June 1.