Love it here! The staff is fabulous and the movies are great. Highly recommend this hidden gem

Read this review if you're lost finding the theater! Ignore Google/Apple Maps which will land you at the wrong end of the park. Go to the corner of Republican Street and Warren Ave N (use directions for the restaurant "Taylor Shellfish" at 124 Republican St and you're there). Walk into the park from this entrance (August Wilson Way), and after a minute of walking your first right will be the SIFF building. It's tucked away and once you see it through the window, you have to make another left to get inside. Now for the review...I'm obsessed with SIFF and every cinephile in Seattle should support them, but I really recommend you visit their Egyptian theater in Capitol Hill or their Uptown theater in Queen Anne over this location. If the movie you want to see is only showing at the Film Center, be prepared for less comfortable seating and plan to show up early to find the theater. Google Maps takes you to the wrong spot (unless you follow the directions above) and there's no signage. Pros: + An impressive slate of art house, wide release, and seasonal film fest picks in line with SIFF's overall line up. Often there will be SIFF films that are only show here. + Many in person/virtual film appreciation one-night class opportunities. I took an awesome week night session analyzing The Shining that was pretty cheap and reminded me of college film courses! + No noticeable issues with the screen or sound. I've enjoyed every movie I've seen here...once I got there. Cons: - Hard to find location, with no signs directing you where to go. Google Maps will take you to the Space Needle, this is not where the theater is. During my first visit, I found myself wandering through the park in the dark for 15 minutes with no signs for SIFF in sight. This is like that college class that you can't find on the map your first day of a new semester. - Very small theater that's less charming than other ones hosted by SIFF. Following this college theme, the Film Center feels like an old school stadium style lecture hall. - Uncomfortable, creaky old chairs with no cup holders. Tips: * Punch in the address for the restaurant "Taylor Shellfish" which is at the corner of Warren Ave N into your maps app to park in the right spot. Cross the street to enter the park, SIFF should be one of the first turns on the right. * I've heard anecdotally that they don't let people in 15 minutes after the movie starts. read more

SIFF Film Center - Directions, so you don't get lost in the park! - Cinema Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I'd like to say I love this theater. Even though I may enjoy the film, I do not enjoy the theater. Tonight I arrived at 5:50 for a film that was posted as showing at 6. I opted to have a later dinner to avoid arriving late or gulping an early meal. I joined three others waiting outside until the place opened at 6:01. This was followed by 35 minutes of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah on the screen and then 5 minutes of previews for a whopping 40 minutes of lag time for the feature to begin. I get it, volunteers, etc., but could you provide an accurate time schedule? read more

I always enjoy watching movies that SIFF hosts and puts on. In particular, I visited SIFF Cinema at the Film Center, as they were showing a special exhibit of Van Gogh pieces in a documentary. I had a nice time and was glad I was able to find a slot in the three days it was showing the film. SIFF Cinema at the Film Center is located at the Seattle Center, so was very easy and accessible. I took the bus here from downtown, and the nearest entrance for the Center is the one across Taylor Shellfish by Vera Project. But eventually, whichever way you enter Seattle Center, it'll be easy to find with its signage. The space is very small, with only one theatre, so select films are shown here for a limited amount of time. However, they do sell all the goods that you would get at any of the SIFF theatres, including local beers and popcorn. Price for admission was $14. I'm glad SIFF has a theatre at the Seattle Center, an easy destination to get to. And perhaps the next time I'm around Seattle Center, I'll take a double look at its glass walls, to see which movies are to be played here. read more

I have been interested in taking one of SIFF's very interesting class/lecture offerings for a long time. They do movie dissections and different themes. I finally joined in for a 3 week lecture series called Psychological Cinema. It was only about $40 for the 3 meetings. They have a spacious conference room and there were at least 30 people in the class. The class was about the intersection or portrayal of psychology in movies. The instructor they chose was great. He was very personable and fun, while extremely knowledgeable. While occasionally I found the class a little basic, mostly it was entertaining and I learned quite a bit about the different ways psychology is portrayed, how it is portrayed and the different kinds of perspectives film makers use in films. I can't wait to take another class! read more

Went here to watch the Oscar short documentary nominees -- two films back-to-back. Comfy seats, but wish there was a tad more legroom -- I'm not that tall (5-7) and had to stretch sideways at times. The popcorn was most excellent -- not too salty, with real butter -- amazingly good. Too bad there was no place to really set it (or the drink) -- but the theater wasn't remotely crowded, so that wasn't really a problem. Bonus points for being in the Seattle Center complex -- perfect for a fast dash around the park during intermission to clear out my mind. Also loved the vintage trailers and moderate volume. Definitely will return -- lots of interesting films coming up and more popcorn, for sure! read more

See all

I imagine a lot of people don't even know this theater exists so it's high time we get the word out about this fun movie house. The Film Center, I guess you would say, is the little brother to SIFF's Uptown Theater although it definitely has its own unique charm and appeal. Located on the Seattle Center grounds, the layout is pretty basic although everything looks as clean and new as the day it first opened. What I like most about the film center is the type of movies that are shown here which are mostly indie films and documentaries. You are sure to find some hidden gems showing here at any given time and they actually have classroom space that can be rented out for budding film makers and students to perfect their craft however they see fit. Being part of the SIFF brand, there are all the same amenities you would find at the Uptown including discounted tickets for members and a concession selection that leans local when it comes to what they have to offer. read more

So excited to be the first person to review the (still pretty) new SIFF Cinema at the Film Center. The Film Center is SIFF's new permanent home in the heart of Seattle Center. It houses the SIFF business offices, the Film School, and a small (100 seat or so) cinema. The cinema is great! Its size lends itself to a very intimate feel. The seats are comfortable (I believe they are refugees from one of the other cinemas in town, but I can't remember which one) and perfectly raked so every seat has an unobstructed view of the screen. Having this space, in addition to the nearby SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, allows SIFF to screen up to four films at once. The films that end up at the Film Center are usually the "smaller" ones, not expected to draw a particularly large audience. But, these films -- documentaries, foreign films, independents -- prove that good things come in small packages. I am thrilled that the Film Center, and the cinema within, have become a reality for SIFF. I look forward to seeing many films there in the years to come. read more

Came here for the international film festival week last year. I love that Seattle does various film festivals here multiple times a year. The cute theaters that are a part of the Seattle International Film Festival are endearing and patrons come to enjoy movies and documentaries that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. While this particular theater is older and dated, it is maintained fairly well and still has an old-world charm about it. I saw two films here during the festival last time and will definitely be back in the future! read more

Cute, small place. It's tucked away a little and not exactly clear on the maps. When you go, it's across from Taylor's Shellfish company down the steps. Look past that and you'll see key arena. The front desk/food snack bar area is against the wall. Check in or pay for your ticket there. Next head into the theatre. It's small. But the good kind of small where it's cozy. Greeting you are these blast from the past seats of red velvet and wood. There aren't any cupholders so be sure not to kick over your drink. You wouldn't want to be that guy would you? The movie, screen, and sounds were just about right. I can't wait to come back! read more

Homespun, fun, slightly old-fashioned setting to see a movie. Friendly vibe. We saw The Princess Bride quote-along and our group laughed and laughed! Good vibes, all around. Really glad we were there. read more

I really appreciate most everything SIFF does, including running this facility. Here they run the unique films that aren't always available elsewhere. read more

They overcharge for what should be a great place to watch local film-makers.

Went to see Bridge on the River Kwai last night.The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars was that the cinema I was in had seats that reclined back a little and I was a little paranoid that the seat would just collapse but I'm just nit picking Staff were great and it had a Film Festival vibe Will be back for Manos Hand of Fate read more

tiny. and cheap seats. it feels like we're watching it in someone's barn that they converted to a theatre (like in the first pic on yelp. that plywood! it's everywhere!). the service is hit or miss as i think everyone appears to be a volunteer. this place feels like a polished turd. another annoyance: now siff tracks EVERY film its members see in their database, along with personal information, without an option to "opt out". this seems very shady and dishonest. when i contacted them they said they had 38 years with of personal data with no intent to stop. very disheartening as i don't want this type of information being tracked. can't i just see a film anonymously? i guess if i want my member discount, i can't. what a shame... read more

One star because I was 20 minutes late for a showing and the woman up front, Andy, refused to let me in. Apparently SIFF has a policy of not letting people starting 15 minutes after the movie starts. Mind you this was after buying the ticket a week in advance and going out of the way to get an earlier shift that day to see it in the evening with my friend. My friend managed to get into the movie on time and so I ended up just awkwardly waiting for her in the lobby while my phone charged XD - there was like 30 minutes of the movie left once I was done arguing. Andy wouldn't give me a refund either, and would only exchange my ticket for another showing, which I ultimately took her up on. If the rule matters enough they should be willing to offer a refund. Apparently the policy is in place so that other moviegoers aren't disturbed when you have to walk in front of them to get to your seat. The only thing is you have to do that anyway to go to and from the bathroom or get more concessions. I think a movie theater is essentially a public space (even if it is privately owned), and as such there's an an understanding that any given person has to deal with the nuisance of other people being around and getting in their way occasionally. If I had to choose between watching a movie completely undisturbed or allowing another person (even a stranger) to watch the movie too, the choice would clearly be the latter. The policy assumes that most moviegoers are childish enough to make the former choice though. It low key disturbs me that SIFF assumes that people don't have the baseline level of good will necessary for public life. It's called sharing, you learn it kindergarten. read more

I drove from a different city for the screening of song of the sea, and happened to reach the theater fifteen minutes late because I could not find the theater. Upon reaching they informed me they had given away my pre-purchased ticket per their "model". However there is no mention of this model on their website. I told them I wouldn't mind standing room and they refused that too. The spirit of this theater should be on community and exposure of films to as many people as possible. I would expect more understanding in extenuating circumstances like this, particularly when I was willing to stand at the back of the theater. Appalling customer service as they flat out refused any option and did not seek to understand why it took so long to get there. Very disappointing. The theater should consider hiring people who can use their discretion better. read more

Not the most state-of-the-art seating (no cupholders, etc.) but this theatre shows great movies. I saw Willy Wonka in smell-o-vision and while the smell-o-vision aspect was a little disappointing, it was a cute singalong and a lot of fun. I took someone who had never seen the film and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that I know about this theater, I plan on coming back for other classic film screenings. read more

I've only been to the cinema a couple of times for special engagements, including December's Willy Wonka smell-o-vision, but I'm a fan. The theater itself is small and certainly not updated (seats not that comfy, no cupholders, aging video equipment), it's cozy in size and offers movie engagements you may not catch elsewhere. I've also had no problem finding parking in the immediate area. read more

Not the most comfortable seating in the world, not the most impressive theater in the world, but they offer some of the greatest cinema you will ever see. Avoid the mainstream and come down to see some REAL film.....also they have tasty beer available WINNING!!!!! read more