For a good time, get STIFFed

I received a message a couple of days ago from my friend and fellow film fan Marshall Peterson. Marshall, a Spokane native who runs a hostel in Guadalajara, Mexico, spent some time at STIFF , the other film festival that takes place in Seattle during the final week of May. Also known as the Seattle True Independent Film Festival, STIFF – which ran from May 24 to June 3 – offers a chance to do more than merely see film.

As Marshall wrote …

Like movies? Love beer? Tired of having to choose between the two? You no longer have to – during most STIFF (Seattle True Independent Film Festival) screenings you can order both beer and food to go along with your film.

And along with food and beer, each film also receives its own award. Some of my favorites: The Sordid Past Award, Best Moustache and Hottest Zombie. Urban Archipelago is what Carey Corr’s mockumentary “A New Tomorrow” won.

Starring “King of Queens” actor Victor Williams , the film tells the story of a community-college student bitten by the election bug who quits school to document his neighbors’ efforts, attitudes and behaviors before, during and after the mayoral race.

For those unfamiliar with the form, a mockumentary is like a documentary, but fake. This film is full of fakes.

Corr’s “Tomorrow” characters could easily be your neighbors or relatives. Corr happily roasts both Republicans and Democrats alike, from the Reenactor or Rocker Dude to the self-proclaimed “Christians” who are anything but. I had a smile on my face for the whole movie.

Corr is hoping for widespread distribution, but at this point we’re not sure it will make it to local theaters. However, SPIFF (Spokane International Film Festival) could step in and help out. Who knows?

STIFF, a young festival that doesn’t take itself too seriously, chose films by directors who share this same trait. Screenings are full of directors and/or actors representing the film, eager to talk about their projects. Like having the DVD extras, but live, in the flesh! And all it takes was a quick, “Hey, I like your film, wanna beer?” and you got yourself some stimulating conversation with a fellow film-lover/filmmaker and some new professional contacts. While the average filmfest is classical or jazz, STIFF is rock ’n’ roll, baby!

I hung out with “Tomorrow” director Corr and editor Chad Haberstroh for a few days, showing them the best of Seattle, guiding them along as they promoted their screening, person to person, something all budding filmmakers must do – you can’t just build it and expect that people will come. Like political organizing, promoting and independent feature screening happens one person at a time.

Passing thru the Pike/Pine corridor (hipster central), home to many likely “Tomorrow” audience members with many taverns (coincidentally and conveniently) located on the flier route, allowed our visitors to sample one of the best things about the PNW (microbrews!). While the screening took place in friendly Central Cinema , recent temperatures in the ’80s dealt them a bad hand – many normally rusty, movie-loving Seattleites heading to the parks rather than the theatres.

So, next May if you find yourself in Seattle looking for film and a casual, friendly, fun atmosphere, I’d definitely pay a visit to STIFF.