BEST FILM FESTIVALS IN SEATTLE

LIKE TO GET HIGH AND WATCH MOVIES? SO DO WE!

Contributing Author: High Above Seattle

I simply can’t resist the urge to light up just before a big day at the movies. Snuggling up to a comfy armchair with munchies in my lap while preparing to watch an epic story on a screen the size of my living room, is really exciting. And to think, I’ll I need to do in return is to sit and stare straight ahead. I believe this is why movies remain a form of entertainment we stoners enjoy so much. With that in mind, following is a selection of film festivals that are known for their trippy and interesting selections that go beyond the blockbusters to include cult classics and so much more:

SCIFI FILM FESTIVAL AT CINERAMA
In early May, nerds come together for a two-week festival showing more than 30 classic science fiction movies. From serious and campy to classic and modern, the variety of their list is impressive. Ghostbusters, Brazil, The Matrix and Planet of the Apes are just a few examples of past films which often return to the festival each year.

Cineram always presents a special event as well … an added bonus to make your experience even more stonerifick. For instance, recently they had an orchestra perform songs alongside a screening of Metropolis. Film lovers will also appreciate the 35mm capabilities of the theatre and the annual showing of 2001: A Space Odyssey in this format.

Did I also mention that Cinerama is home to a favored munchie food here in Seattle? Their chocolate popcorn is to die for and can be devilishly combined with their buttered popcorn for a taste that is out of this world.

NOIR CITY
Each year in late January, the Film Noir Foundation puts on ten days’ worth of film noir classics and hard-to-find films in the genre. They feature plenty of black and white films as well as young starlets galore. Why not honor the stern and smoking heroes of noir films by taking a puff or two before heading to the festival? Who knows, it could help your mystery-solving skills during the film and keep you one step ahead of the hero.

Make sure to get your tickets early. Here’s looking at you, kid.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Another SciFi and fantasy film fest on this list? Of course there is! With the large number of artists, creatives, writers, game developers, computer and tech people in Seattle, there are a ton of people who like to relax by smoking, playing games and watching cartoons. This festival features an array of live action and animated examples of both genres. It also features short films from indie filmmakers all across the globe. Expect plenty of surreal, high-tech and epic stories to enjoy while you’re high. With money and notoriety as prizes, this festival is just as fun as it is prestigious. 2015 year will mark the 10th anniversary of the festival which means added events, show times and fun.

HUMP!
Getting high and watching amateur porn is a much better combination than you might think. The final selection of films is curated by the one and only Dan Savage: well-known gay rights activist and Seattle sex advice columnist. There is be plenty of kink, humor, spoofs and good ol’ fashioned sex in this festival. The short films are submitted by amateurs and feature a totally anonymous lineup (as in they are not advertised beforehand). The reason for keeping a low profile on the submissions is to protect the identities of people featured in the pornographic films. Since this is a local festival, you could see some familiar faces on the screen. So yeah, they are serious about their “no cell phone policy.” If you have a friend that isn’t afraid to see naughty bits and lots of butts on the big screen, grab them, get high and maybe you’ll even see and D&D porno worth plenty of laughs.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF)
This is the big one. For over three weeks, from May to June, a multitude of Seattle theatres participate in this festival to show close to 200 films from around the world. SIFF is a mix of independent filmmakers showcasing movies, short films and documentaries about love, politics, nature, horror, fantastical worlds, mundane lives and everything in between. Grab the film listing magazine before the festival starts, read the descriptions and circle a couple that sound like a fun time. I personally enjoy documentaries when I’m high. I always feel so good and awestruck when learning more about the world. If that’s not your idea of a fun date with marijuana, there is bound to be something live action or animated that will be sure to entertain whether it’s a harsh Yakuza movie or documentary about pie making.