The Seattle Film Society’s In Focus series returns this April with a screening of renowned Seattle filmmaker SJ Chiro’s coming of age drama LANE 1974. 

LANE 1974 (2017) is based on Clane Hayward's memoir about a 13-year-old girl living a nomadic life in 70’s Northern California communes alongside her rebellious mother and younger siblings. The film follows Lane (Sophia Mitri Schloss) as she yearns for stability and a "normal" life against the harsh realities of her mother’s off-the-grid existence. The film has been roundly praised for its authentic portrayal of childhood in a counter-culture setting, capturing the beauty and the danger of the era through a child's eye.

This film will be preceded by a screening of Chiro’s first short film LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD (2006).

A Q&A between Chiro and Film Writer Kathy Fennessy will follow the film.

Thursday, April 16th at the Northwest Film Forum. Doors at 6:30, Film at 7. See you at the movies.

IN FOCUS is a quarterly showcase highlighting a filmmaker or filmmaking team local to the Greater Seattle Area.

Filmmaker Biography: 

SJ Chiro is a Seattle-based director, screenwriter, and DGA member. Chiro is best known for her award-winning feature films, LANE 1974 and EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS. LANE 1974 stars Sophia Mitri Schloss and Katherine Moennig, and premiered at SXSW in 2017 before going on to win awards throughout the Film Festival Circuit. EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS stars Tom Skerritt, Miro Sorvino, and Annie Gonzalez and maintains 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Along with her two features, she has written and directed seven short films including HOWARD FROM OHIO, which was awarded the SIFF Special Prize in 2012. Her work is frequently actor-centric, and often focuses on strong characters navigating familial dramas amidst the natural world. Chiro was previously named the 2017 City Arts Film Artist of the Year.

The Seattle Film Society’s IN FOCUS series returns with a showcase for prolific commercial and video director JONATHAN SALMON! 

Jonathan's wry, surrealist work has become a fixture across platforms such as Vulture, Short of the Week, Mubi, and Directors Notes. He's directed videos for Vince Staples and Brent Faiyaz, and collaborated on short films with influential figures such as Venus Williams, Zack Fox, and Mekki Leeper. 

This five film set will feature four of his narrative shorts and one of his music videos. It will be followed by a short presentation by Jonathan on the arc of his career. Films in this program include:

• Magic (Music Video)

• Bizarro World

• Take You Down

• it’s ok, i got this

• Pour Decisions

Thursday January 15th at the Northwest Film Forum. Doors at 6:30, films at 7pm.

IN FOCUS is a quarterly showcase highlighting a filmmaker or filmmaking team local to the Greater Seattle Area.

Experience the work of Seattle director, June Zandona through three of her films.

IN FOCUS is a quarterly filmmaker showcase hosted by the Seattle Film Society. This event highlights the work of a local filmmaker or filmmaking team who we feel is an important part of our community. Screenings include a combination of their films followed by a moderated conversation about their work and career. We’re proud to partner with the Northwest Film Forum as our host for this event.

Our February event will center on the work of veteran Director and Camera Op June Zandona, whose mix of kineticism and penetrating character study merge into a form both powerfully emotive and entirely singular. In addition to her directing work, June has worked on projects such as PENELOPE, SWORD OF TRUST, I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, YEAR OF THE FOX, and more. Our post-screening conversation will be moderated by Meg Valliant.

About the Director

Experience the work of Seattle horror auteur Justin Robert Vinall through three of his short films, followed by a post-screening conversation.

IN FOCUS is a quarterly screening event put on by the Seattle Film Society. This event highlights the work of a local filmmaker/filmmaking team by screening a combination of their films. Screenings will be followed by a conversation between the filmmaker(s) and a moderator about their work and career, as well as a short Q&A. The Seattle Film Society is proud to partner with the Northwest Film Forum for this event.

Our November 2024 showcase will focus on the work of Seattle horror auteur Justin Robert Vinall. We will be screening three of his short films: EMIKO (2018), A PURPLE VISION (2021), and FROM THE DEPTHS (2023). In addition to his directing work, Justin is a member of the DGA and has an extensive background as a Producer, as well as in a variety of high-level production roles on projects like THREE BUSY DEBRAS, EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS, TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVEL PARADOX, and much more. Our post-screening conversation will be moderated by filmmaker Matthew Rush.

About the Director