We're excited to sponsor the second Make Believe Seattle Film Festival! We previously brought you the news of this year's closing night film, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person. Now, the fest has announced its complete lineup of films and events for year two of the region’s first-ever dedicated genre film festival, showcasing horror, science fiction, fantasy, animation, and more. The festival will screen exclusively in person at Erickson Theatre, Northwest Film Forum, and the Grand Illusion Cinema from March 21-26, 2024. Festival passes, and individual tickets are on sale now and are available at makebelieveseattle.com.
This year's Make Believe Seattle lineup features 38 programs, including narrative features, documentaries, mid-length films, short film blocks, repertory films, live podcasts, filmmaker Q&As, special events, thematic parties, and more. Two films will make their world premieres at Make Believe Seattle, one film will be a U.S. premiere, and nine films will make their West Coast screenings at the festival. Check out the lineup below:
Make Believe Seattle Film Lineup
Films/programs marked with an asterisk have guests scheduled to attend the screening.
Gala Screenings
Opening Night: SHARI AND LAMB CHOP*
West Coast Premiere
Documentary; Lisa D’Apolito; USA; 2023; 92 minutes
Coming of age can be difficult, but it is always more bearable when you have someone who connects with you on a cellular level. Shari Lewis - like Fred Rogers, Jim Henson, and others - was one of those people. She was a dancer, singer, and magician but was best known as the ventriloquist behind sock puppets Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy, and, of course, Lamb Chop. This heartfelt and entertaining doc charts the life, loves, and career hits and misses of the spunky perfectionist who forever changed the face of children’s television. Featuring ventriloquists she inspired and nostalgia-laden clips, this upbeat portrait brims, like Lewis, with warmth and charm. From director Lisa D’Apolito (LOVE, GILDA), SHARI AND LAMB CHOP is the tonic we all need to reconnect with our inner children and celebrate pure imagination.
Closing Night: HUMANIST VAMPIRE SEEKING CONSENTING SUICIDAL PERSON
Narrative; Ariane Louis-Seize; Canada; 2023; 90 minutes
The vampire sub-genre has explored almost every angle imaginable, making the revelation of HUMANIST VAMPIRE… all the more remarkable. Sasha, a 16-year-old vampire, hates the idea of killing people for their blood. When her parents cut off her supply, she enlists the help of Paul, a suicidal boy who agrees to be Sasha’s victim as long as she spends a night helping him accomplish everything he wants to do before he dies. This dark and redeeming coming-of-age picture takes everything you know and love about vampires, humanizes it, and presents a world unlike any we’ve seen in a film like this before. Sara Montpetit and Felix Antoine-Benard are truly inspired as Sasha and Paul, and you won’t believe just how impactful this little film feels in the end.
Centerpiece One: BONUS TRACK
Pacific Northwest Premiere
Narrative; Julia Jackman; United Kingdom; 2023; 98 minutes
Part “Heartstopper,” part “Sing Street,” and all coming-of-age charm, BONUS TRACK is a warm and tender portrait of young love and artistic adventure. George is 16 years old, filled with musical aspirations, and discovering himself in his very small town. When the son of a famous musical duo arrives, the two form an unlikely bond as they prepare for the school talent show, awakening feelings and talents otherwise dormant. Produced by and co-starring Josh O’Connor (“The Crown,” CHALLENGERS) with Jack Davenport (“Smash,” THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY), BONUS TRACK is a film for anyone who’s ever had a dream…a crush…a burning desire to express themselves. We’re not kidding when we say it’s the loveliest film you’ll see this year.
Centerpiece Two: A MOST ATROCIOUS THING*
World Premiere
Narrative; Christian Hurley & Ben Oliphint; USA: 2024; 75 minutes
When a group of young Chapman University students got creative during the pandemic on a shoestring budget of $5,000, something special was born. A MOST ATROCIOUS THING is that ‘something special,’ a wild and blood-soaked thrill ride that feels like the Please Don’t Destroy gang got in bed with Troma (Lloyd Kaufman even makes a cameo). When a group of friends preparing to step out into adulthood get together for a wild weekend getaway, they make the tragic mistake of eating infected deer meat, thus turning them into crazed, bloodthirsty maniacs. But, while it’s a grisly, feral, ‘atrocious’ affair, it’s also riddled with ample amounts of humor and heart, a tricky tonal accomplishment for any filmmaker. A MOST ATROCIOUS THING is a labor of love from a group of friends who understood the assignment. It’s the type of film we love at Make Believe because it embodies everything we ‘believe’ and everything we are.
Narrative Features
ALL YOU NEED IS BLOOD – directed by Cooper Roberts, West Coast Premiere
AMERICAN MELTDOWN – directed by Andrew Adams, Pacific Northwest Premiere*
ARCADE – directed by Albert Pyun
BLOODY BRIDGET – directed by Richard Elfman, WA State Premiere*
THE CONCIERGE – directed by Yoshimi Itazu, Pacific Northwest Premiere
DICKWEED – directed by Jonathan Ignatius Green, West Coast Premiere
FOR NIGHT WILL COME (En attendant la nuit) – directed by Celine Rouzet, U.S. Premiere
GUNFIGHTER PARADISE – directed by Jethro Waters, West Coast Premiere
GUSH – directed by Fox Maxy, West Coast Premiere
HE NEVER LEFT – directed by James Morris, Pacific Northwest Premiere
THE LONELY MAN WITH THE GHOST MACHINE – directed by Graham Skipper, World Premiere*
LOST SOULZ – directed by Katherine Propper, West Coast Premiere
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (KIDS MATINEE) – directed by Jack Clayton
MONKEYS & MONKEYS 2: FIGHT THE FUTURE – directed by John McGuigan*
PROPERTY – directed by Daniel Bandeira, West Coast Premiere
THE WHEEL OF HEAVEN – directed by Joe Badon, Washington State Premiere
Documentary Features
ALBERT PYUN: KING OF CULT MOVIES – directed by Lisa D’Apolito, West Coast Premiere*
I’M “GEORGE LUCAS”: A CONNOR RATLIFF STORY – directed by Ryan Jacobi, West Coast Premiere*
QUEEN OF THE DEUCE – directed by Valerie Kontakos, Pacific Northwest Premiere
Short Film Programs
DRAWN TO DEATH
DYING IS EASY EMPATHY IS HARD
MAKE BELIEVERS
MASKS WE WEAR
OUR ANCESTORS' WILDEST
SILENT SCREAM
UNIVERSAL FEAR
UNKNOWN FORCES
WEIRD WILD AND WONDERFUL
Special Events
THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE: A CHRISTIAN APPRECIATION OF HORROR w/ JOSH LARSEN*
THE GEORGE LUCAS TALK SHOW*
OPENING NIGHT YACHT ROCK PARTY
SCREEN DRAFTS LIVE!*
SNICK OR TREAT
Get your tickets and more info about the full festival program at makebelieveseattle.com.
Make Believe Seattle is sponsored by MUBI, Fangoria, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Hotel Sorrento, W Seattle, The Stranger, Letterboxd, and C89.5: Seattle's Home for Dance.
