Calling all movie buffs

Seattle Film Summit ready for Renton

Calling the Pacific Northwest film industry: an event in Renton is coming this weekend catered to you.

The sixth Seattle Film Summit, an event founded by Renton Chamber Event Director and Renton Comic Convention Founder Ben Andrews, has shifted in recent years from being a film festival to a film market. A film market is more like a business expo for filmmakers, Andrews said. The event works to connect people at every level of the movie making business. And it’s worked before: a movie that just announced its casting, started with a relationship created at the summit in 2017, Andrews said.

The summit features film industry workshops, screenplay pitch sessions, distribution meetings, networking opportunities and an industry vendor expo. Friday, Nov. 15, also features movie screenings from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Regal Cinemas at the Landing.

Andrews hopes this event helps foster a robust film industry in the region, something he said is being appreciated by government leaders as well. King County Executive Dow Constantine will deliver an announcement on an initiative designed to help creatives living and working in the county. Andrews said he sees that workforce needs will soon see an inevitable shift toward art and creativity, and he hopes down the line the Seattle Film Summit will transform into the Seattle Creative Summit.

Andrews said this summit is suited for experienced filmmakers and interested students and beginners alike. Although originally based in Seattle, the summit is now in Renton, at the Hyatt Regency-Lake Washington. Student prices are $40 per day, $75 for the weekend. General admission prices are $75 per day, or $140 for the weekend.

Registration and info at seattlefilmsummit.com.