FESTIVAL SCHEDULE, Pacific Northwest Indie Awards, AND THE SUMMIT SUMMER SERIES ANNOUNCED

In 2024, we hone our focus. What does that mean? First, we’re happy to announce The Summit Summer Series where we can deploy our standard Summit offerings, but do it in partnership with community partners and venues. Second, it means only 50 shorts and 3 features will be accepted into the 2024 festival on September 6 - 8, 2024. However, whether winning an award or not, each filmmaker/screen writer accepted will get a 30/60-minute consultation with an industry expert. Last but not least, we want to celebrate the best of the best in the Northwest, so we’re excited to announce the 1st year of our Pacific Northwest Indie Awards!

The Summit is here for the creative. Now more than ever, artists need to focus on the authenticity of their voice, not just a direct path to success. Ultimately, the first will more efficiently lead to the other.


Demystifying AI in Creative Industry

We're excited to partner with the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Northwest Event Show (NWES), and Women in Cloud (WIC), for an evening of networking, celebration, and education on these important creative fronts. Best of all it's FREE!

Seattle's Creative Movement Date: 4/4/24 Time: 6:00 - 9:30pm 6:00 pm - Pre show networking 7:00 pm - ICONs Screening 8:00 pm - Panel: Demystifying AI in Creative Industry Venue: SIFF Cinema Egyptian, 805 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 Running Time: 3.5 hours Tech, Events, and Creative industry unite to discuss how Seattle can build relevance in the AI Revolution. Short Description: Through insightful dialogues, we invite filmmakers, technologists, policymakers, and enthusiasts to envision a future where AI is not a threat but a collaborator, enhancing the arts while respecting ethical boundaries and fostering inclusive growth. Long description: As we stand on the brink of a new era, the intersection of artificial intelligence and creative industry presents an unprecedented canvas for evolution, innovation, and engagement. This event is focused around community, networking, and discussion designed to demystify AI's role in filmmaking and explore its vast potential to revolutionize storytelling, production, and audience engagement. This session aims to dismantle apprehensions surrounding AI, highlight collaborative opportunities between creatives and the tech ecosystem, and carve out a pathway for the Northwest to be a forerunner in this AI-inclusive economy.

Join us for a deep dive into "Demystifying AI in the Creative Industry" with a panel of industry experts such as Lisa Wellman 41st District State Senator, Chaitra Vedullapalli President of Women In Cloud & MXW Ventures, Michelle Pruitt Senior Director Microsoft.


THE SUMMIT - A New breath, a new direction

Over the last few months, we’ve spent a lot of time and reflection, on the future trajectory of the Summit. Some questions about our efforts had to be asked: What are our strengths? What areas do we have gaps? What objectives are we committed to achieving and do we honestly possess the capabilities to actualize them?

In light of these reflections, I am pleased to announce two significant developments:

The boutique festival portion of the Summit will continue in September, hosted once again at the Regal Cinemas in Renton. The celebration of independent filmmakers and writers remains the cornerstone of our identity. Submissions for the year 2024 are now being accepted, if inclined please help spread the word. For 2024, we will take a boutique approach to the festival. This means less films accepted, but more value for each filmmaker. Outside of our awards, each filmmaker accepted will receive a 30 minute consultation with an industry expert who will have watched/reviewed their content. As we flesh out these details, we'd love for you to partner with us.

Seattle Film Summit - FilmFreeway

The second development, will be announced shortly detailing a strategic partnership between the Seattle Film Summit and the NWES, scheduled for the first week of April. Taking place at the Seattle Convention Center, this event anticipates 3,500 participants engaged in seeking or offering event services. It's important to understand the value of this merge. Not only do we believe the event industry should be at the table with our entertainment lanes. The attendees to this event are corporations, HR departments, Marketing departments, and more. Businesses looking for content, events, and entertainment for their communities. Our objective is to infuse creative industry deeply into this show. Broadening the scope and spirit of The Summit. Over the ensuing five years, this collaboration aspires to evolve into the Northwest's version of SXSW.

For an overview, I invite you to peruse the Northwest Event Show.

As valued friends, partners, and collaborators, I extend an invitation to join us in developing a broader audience. Our presence at this event is poised to be impactful, and opportunities abound for showcasing our diverse and talented creative community.

Let me know your thoughts. There is great opportunity in 2024, and we’d love to explore it with you.


THE SUMMIT: CREATIVE RECONNECTION

Saturday, November 11 - Sunday, November 12, 2023

Location: Harbor Island Studios, 3233 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98134

For its 10-Year Anniversary, The Summit is bringing the region's creative industry to Seattle for a two-day interactive, educational experience, for creative professionals. This weekend will entertain, energize, and equip you with the skills - and relationships - to enrich your career.

We’ve gathered creative leaders from around the world to help: including the producer of Breaking Bad, an executive from Lucasfilm and WME’s lead story editor. Here’s the FULL LINEUP.

Short version: Think of this as a mashup of SxSW, ComicCon, CES and E3 tailored to entertainment professionals.

NOTE: If you’ve purchased your VIP and GA tickets for Round 1 - You are already in for Round 2.


The Summit + FREE Online Community is LIVE! Come join and create your profile now! We are dedicated to elevating the creative industry, and it is our privilege to recognize and honor the work, innovation, and artistry of artists worldwide. It is with this spirit of unity that we urge sponsors, panelists, and attendants to join us in creating a space to celebrate the creativity of our communities.



SFS 21 OPENING CEREMONIES

Sponsored by: Washington State Department of Commerce

Welcome:
Renton Councilmember - Randy Corman
Guest Speakers:
Tom Skerritt
Mayor Will Hall - Shoreline
Dow Constantine - King County Executive Cynthia Carrillo - Greater Seattle Partners
Keynote:
Lisa J. Brown, Ph.D. - Washington State Commerce Director
S. Epatha Merkerson
Creative Economy:
Ben Andrews

POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUM

Sponsored by: Seattle Office of Economic Development


Moderator: TraeAnna Holiday

CONFIRMED CANDIDATES:

Seattle Mayoral: Bruce Harrell
Seattle Council: Nikkita Oliver, Sara Nelson
Renton Council: Carmen Rivera, Joe Todd

Local leaders are joining us in a new partnership. This conversation will focus on the growth and evolution of our local creative economy and will include political candidates from the upcoming Seattle mayoral race with an audience full of creative leaders from our state.

 
 

At The Summit

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY VENDOR EXPO

Whether you're a production house, sound company, distributor, acting coach, film program, equipment rental business, or more, there is a place for you at the Summit. You’ll have the opportunity to showcase your business to hundreds of online and in-person attendees in 2021.

PITCH SESSIONS

We provide creative participants with the opportunity to pitch their content to willing distributors, sales agents, marketing companies, and respected industry producers.

Submission now open - Pitchfest Submissions OPEN — The Summit (seattlefilmsummit.com)

DISTRIBUTION MEETINGS

We set up one-on-one private meetings for distributor and producer representatives with content generators who can pitch their completed or near-completed projects.

EDUCATIONAL SERIES

We’re bringing you an extensive educational series that complements our industry leader panels. Classes focus on the ever-expanding opportunities for filmmakers, the content they create, and the 'how-tos' to make it in the business.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Networking opportunities abound at the Summit for participants, panelists, and presenters virtually and in-person. There’s also the potential for receptions, private meetings, and afterparties. A speed-networking session and additional closing celebration will also be held in 2021, along with at least one ‘virtual’ networking session for those who attend online.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2021 EVENT

 

The Summit’s
Premier Event

 

The Summit is the only workforce development opportunity like it in the Pacific Northwest serving digital creatives in the PNW and beyond. Writers, directors, producers, and actors can meet distributors, acquisition executives, talent agents, attorneys, festival directors, and others who provide services to the motion picture industry – to learn from and connect with them.

Now in its eighth year, the Summit’s premier event is a series of interactive, educational panels and workshops focused on connecting our local industry to L.A., New York, and the world.

The summit is a hybrid (virtual/in-person) event comprising of classes, workshops, panels, film screenings, pitch sessions, award ceremonies, and networking opportunities.

The industry professionals who organize the Summit volunteer thousands of combined hours to make it happen, out of the belief that coming together and pooling our resources provides the keys to bringing our collective stories to light.

We hope you’ll join us.

 

–We ARE the Creative Economy!


Our Sponsors