2010 Seattle International Film Festival
The 36th Seattle International Film Festival selects comedy The Extra Man to open 2010 Festival

SIFF's mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. In addition to the Festival, SIFF operates SIFF Cinema, its year-round flagship theater at McCaw Hall. In 2011, SIFF will open the SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center's Alki Room, thereby fulfilling its long-standing vision of creating a permanent home where SIFF's successful film, education, and community outreach programs can thrive.

The 36th Seattle International Film Festival runs May 20 through June 13. Now in its 36th year, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest and most highly-attended film festival in the United States, showcasing more than 400 films from over 60 countries to an audience of 150,000 attendees annually. Listed by Variety as one of the world's "50 unmissable film festivals," SIFF continues to be recognized as one of the top festivals in North America. SIFF combines the best aspects of a casual film marketplace with our well-established reputation as a great audience festival filmmakers love to attend.

Seattle, WA - The 36th Seattle International Film Festival will open on May 20 with the Seattle Premiere of the sophisticated comedy The Extra Man - directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. The film will screen at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, kicking off the nation's largest film festival set to take place from May 20 through June 13, 2010.

The Extra Man stars Paul Dano (There Will be Blood) as the ever-so-proper Louis Ives, a lonely dreamer who imagines himself the protagonist of a modern F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. He moves to Manhattan to pursue a writing career and rents a room in the tiny Manhattan apartment of playwright Henry Harrison, a wildly eccentric social entrepreneur (Kevin Kline) who happens to work evenings as an "extra man" - an escort for wealthy widows. The unexpected bond of the two men creates the hilarious heart of the film; its pathos comes from their realization that within the other's idealistic fantasy persona lurks their own litany of insecurities.

Academy-Award® nominated co-directors/screenwriters Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor, The Nanny Diaries) manifest the edgy spirit and droll dialogue of the celebrated novel by Jonathan Ames (writer of HBO's Bored to Death) with a perfectly balanced blend of warmth, intellect, and humanity. Paul Dano and Kevin Kline (surpassing his memorable Academy Award® performance in A Fish Called Wanda) are sublime in their portrayal of the two gentlemen about town, each imbuing their edge-of-the-envelope characters with depth and empathetic distinction. Also appearing are Katie Holmes as Louis' sweet co-worker and unrequited love interest (and whose wardrobe Louis secretly desires...), and John C. Reilly as Henry's mysterious (and very hairy) downstairs neighbor. The Extra Man is a magical, multi-dimensional comedy–sophisticated, elegant, goofy, and ultimately satisfying.

The Extra Man debuted at Sundance earlier this year to rave audience reviews and was recently picked up by Magnolia Pictures for US distribution. Excellently cast and revealing humor, wit, and class, The Extra Man is an exciting selection to launch the 2010 Festival with more than 250 feature films, 100 shorts, special events, workshops, and forums that will take place from May 20 through June 13 at various venues city-wide.

"After seeing its debut at Sundance this year, I knew I wanted The Extra Man to open the 36th Seattle International Film Festival," says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. "We always strive to choose a film that not only combines stellar storytelling and captivating characters, but one that connects with Seattle's film-savvy audiences. This unique film is both laugh-out-loud funny and smart, and is the perfect film to kick off the 2010 Festival."

This represents the first time Seattle International Film Festival will host its Opening Night Gala at the beautiful Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. The event, taking place on Thursday, May 20, will also feature a red carpet welcome for directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini.

SIFF 2010 Opening Night Gala
Thursday May 20, Benaroya Hall
The 36th Seattle International Film Festival will kick off with the sophisticated comedy The Extra Man, starring Paul Dano, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly, and Katie Holmes. Both the film and Gala party will take place at the beautiful Benaroya Hall, with complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.


The Maldives perform Riders of the Purple Sage
Tuesday May 25, 7:00 & 9:30 pm, The Triple Door
Adapted from the sensational novel by Zane Grey (1911), this 1925 silent film starring cowboy legend Tom Mix is a consistently action-packed Western featuring quick-draw cowboys, numerous outlaws and villains, a cattle stampede, and an avalanche.


Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields performs 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Wednesday June 9, 7:30pm, Paramount Theater
Prolific tunesmith Stephin Merritt, of The Magnetic Fields, brings this gorgeous 1916 classic to life with his new, original score in live accompaniment to the film’s new 35mm print.

Global Vue: SIFF Insider Preview Party and Benefit
Thursday, May 13, The Musicquarium Lounge at the Triple Door
Presented by Fusion Radio and YPIN
Join a panel of SIFF Programmers as they provide a sneak peak of 15 foreign films that you won’t want to miss at the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF 2010 Venues
We are excited to announce that the venues for SIFF 2010 have been confirmed. In this year's line-up you will see SIFF returning to many of the same venues including our second year in Kirkland and new this year, Everett! Also new this year is Benaroya Hall for our Opening Night Gala.