It’s SIFF time again, but I’m saying ‘ciao’

I’m leaving town for … a while. That’s too bad for a couple of reasons.

One, this is the best time of year to be in Spokane. Especially this year, when spring actually has sprung across the Inland Northwest. It was 81 degress the other day. Seriously?

Two, I’m not going to Seattle. And Seattle is where The Festival is. I use capital letters because the Seattle International Film Festival is the dean of Northwest film festivals. It’s long (it begins Thursday and runs through June 13), it screens scads of movies (256 features, 150 shorts), and most of those movies are foreign (the films come from 67 different countries).

Actually, that second one is the most important. I’ve spent years going to SIFF, and I enjoy it. I enjoy everything about it. I enjoy sitting in The Egyptian from 10 a.m. to midnight, existing on cafe americanos, popcorn and the occasional Milk Dud. I enjoy running from The Egyptian to the Harvard Exit, then jumping in the car and speeding to the Mercury and then heading back downtown to the Pacific Place. I enjoy standing in line, often in the rain, listening to SIFF fans yammer on about how much they looooooove French films. I enjoy the falafel sandwiches I buy at the QVC, when I have the time to actually leave the theaters. I enjoy watching films from countries I never expect to visit, from Bhutan to Burkina Faso. I even enjoy the films in French.

So, if I can’t go this year, then you should. You can access the SIFF website by clicking here. Or you can get ticket and other information by calling (206) 324-9996.

Have a great time. I’ll drink a cappuccino in your honor. Maybe even a couple of them.

Below : What I will be drinking instead of attending SIFF.