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Seattle Story Award: Take Two – Celebrating Innovative Filmmakers

Earlier this year, we partnered with Film Independent to create the first ever Seattle Story Award – recognizing a filmmaker who exhibits innovation, diversity and uniqueness of vision while having a history of transforming perspectives through rich stories; because that’s what we believe this city does itself for anyone who has spent time here.

Our first recipient, Matty Brown and his #LoveLetterToSeattle, Dreamcatcher captured the magic of Seattle perfectly.

We loved activating the city’s creative spirit rather than just talking about it, so we’re doing it again. This time in Los Angeles. Again in partnership with Film Independent, we’re recognizing another filmmaker with the Seattle Story Award at the LA Film Festival, often referred to as the most diverse mainstream film festival in the country.

A nominating committee from the film industry chose Claire Buss as our recipient. Claire is committed to fostering a largely female community on her set and has a strong reliance on regular collaborators and those who inspire her. As a filmmaker, Claire has a distinct, absurdist voice that leans towards the joyful and playful, while being strongly guided by her passion for the city of Seattle and all that it has to offer an artist.

As a storyteller, her innovative style and vision, with equal parts quirk and heart, Claire was able to capture the everyday yet special experiences found in our great city in her film I’m Sorry Happy Birthday. As Claire says herself, “the film celebrates the fact that you can find community and warmth and unbelievably creative people in unexpected places.”

Seattle Story Award: Take Two – Celebrating Innovative Filmmakers

A still from Claire Buss’ Dear Seattle film, I’m Sorry Happy Birthday.

Nowhere is that more true than in Seattle.

Claire will officially receive the Award at brunch on Friday, September 28th in LA and her film will then screen prior to the Closing Night film at the LAFF that evening.

We can’t wait to see her #LoveLetterToSeattle come to life on the big screen and share it with the world on VISITSEATTLE.tv.


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