Northwest Film Forum

The Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) is an independent film and arts nonprofit in the city of Seattle, Washington that hosts screenings, festivals, community events, multidisciplinary performances, and public discussions each year. Northwest Film Forum is located in Seattle's Capitol Hill.

History
Founded in 1995 by filmmakers Jamie Hook and Deborah Girdwood and a group of film enthusiasts, NWFF traces its origin to the 1995 launch of WigglyWorld Studios, a post-production outfit that got its start on Capitol Hill. At the time, Hook and Girdwood were exploring an expansion into their own theater, alongside Michael Seiwerath, as the organization quickly grew into other aspects of film, including teaching and screening.

In its early years, NWFF operated as a nomadic organization, screening films at various venues around Seattle. However, in 1997, it found a permanent home in the Capitol Hill Arts Center (CHAC), a historic building that had previously served as a meeting place for the Odd Fellows fraternal organization.

With its new home secured, NWFF began to expand its programming and outreach efforts, with the support of Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer and other donors. After changing its name, the nonprofit took over management of the U-Districts’ Grand Illusion Theater in 1997. Two years later, it opened The Little Theatre at 19th and Mercer.

In 2008, it moved to a new to a redesigned 8,000-square-foot facility. It continues to host the Local Sightings Film Festival annually, highlighting the works of local northwest filmmakers.