Christina Wardwell for the Tribune
EVERETT — The Everett Film Festival returns for its 26th year on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, featuring a diverse lineup of films that highlight powerful stories.
The festival opens with “Fish War,” a documentary on the fight of local Native American tribes to reclaim their treaty-protected fishing rights. After Washington state restricted tribal fishing, it sparked a legal and cultural battle that led to a landmark 1974 court ruling affirming tribal sovereignty and co-management of salmon resources. A Q-and-A session will follow the screening.
Also featured is “Savi the Cat,” a hybrid documentary-animation film about a couple whose lives and marriage are upended by a mischievous kitten.
Sunday will be dedicated to honoring filmmaker Della Chen, who was set to present her film “She Marches in Chinatown” before her recent passing in a car accident. The documentary tells the story of Seattle’s Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, the only drill team in the world to combine Chinese opera costumes with American military style drills.
Typically a one-day event, the festival expanded this year after receiving a large number of short film submissions. As a result, Sunday will feature a program called “We Love Short Shorts,” showcasing a selection of short films.
The festival prioritizes films with local ties or those created by women. One film that festival director Teresa Henderson is particularly excited about is “Lost in Paris,” a whimsical French-Belgian flick.
“It’s just so funny and quirky. And it happens to be that the filmmakers actually play the two key roles in the film,” Henderson said.
The Everett Film Festival was founded 28 years ago by a group of women who pooled their resources to bring independent films to the community. While this marks the festival’s 26th edition, it would have been its 28th if not for a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.
“I feel very proud that we were able to survive the pandemic. That was kind of a big deal. So many things shut down—we just stayed quiet for two years. And then we came back on the landscape. We’re holding on,” Henderson said.
This year, however, has been challenging. Ticket sales have dramatically decreased, and Henderson believes the political climate is playing a role. The festival coincides with large nationwide protests on April 5.
“People are concerned. They’re drawing back, holding on to their resources because they don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Henderson said. “But this is a good way to come and just forget about what’s going on in the world for a while—just enjoy yourself and watch a bunch of fun movies.”
Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with presentations and films starting at 1 p.m. on both days. Concessions will be available.
Event information
Everett Film Festival
April 5 and 6, 12:30 p.m. into evening
At Everett Performing Arts Center: 2710 Colby Ave.
Tickets: www.everettfilm
festival.org — $30 adults one day, $50 adults both days. Discounted pricing for
seniors, students, military.
