Finalists for the Seattle Film Critics Society’s Pacific Northwest Filmmaking Award have been selected and announced!

This is the first year that this award will be included as part of the Seattle Film Critics Society’s (SFCS) annual awards ceremony, which highlights the films members considered the best of the year. With this award, SFCS aims to recognize and honor exceptional films and filmmakers with strong connections to the Pacific Northwest region.

In the official press release, SFCS President Matt Oakes states, “We’re excited to formally acknowledge the plethora of great work coming out of our distinct region. This inaugural batch of nominees will set a precedent for years to come by propelling further conversation and recognition of the exciting filmmaking happening in the Pacific Northwest.”

The nominating committee, which I was honored to be a part of, considered a wide variety of feature films that either premiered or had a wide release in 2022. After narrowing the collection of deserving candidates down, these are the five feature films that were selected as finalists for the Pacific Northwest Filmmaking Award:

The first winner of this Pacific Northwest Filmmaking Award will be voted on by the full SFCS membership and announced on January 17th, 2023, along with SFCS’s other awards.

On a personal note, these are all films that I’m glad have been brought to my attention and enjoyed having a chance to watch. As one who has lived my entire life in Northwest Washington, I’m proud to see so much great storytelling taking place in my own backyard, and I strongly recommend taking some time to watch these films and support these filmmakers.

Watch the Seattle Film Critics Society sizzle reel for the award announcement below, and learn more about SFCS on their official website.