News from the Office of Film + Music
Vol. 14, No. 20 | September 11, 2020
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Remembering Rahwa Habte
The Office of Film + Music and Seattle Music Commission would like to remember Rahwa Habte. Rahwa was a staunch Seattle activist, creative and conduit who dedicated her life’s work to advocating on behalf of, and providing spaces for, Seattle’s most vulnerable communities using art, music and food to unite, inspire and ignite real change. In 2006, Rahwa co-founded Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine in Seattle’s Central District with her sister Asmeret. Hidmo means Home, which is exactly what it was for many local musicians, hip-hop and QTPOC artists, and social justice activists. Rahwa Habte died on August 28th, 2020 at the age of 42. Her immeasurable impacts will forever strengthen the foundation of Seattle’s music and arts community for generations to come. Thank you Rahwa!
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Seattle’s Live Event Workers Rally for Action to Help Workforce
With theaters, events, and other performance venues indefinitely closed due to the pandemic, workers have few options. Unemployment is at nearly 100 percent and, months later, venues show no sign of reopening. On September 6, hundreds of live events workers marched through downtown Seattle, stopping at several venues, and ending at Westlake Park for a rally, as part of the national #RedAlert effort to raise public awareness around how COVID-19 could permanently harm the live music, performance, and events industries, workers, and performers.
For more information, click here.
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Special Events Committee Extends Permit Suspension to December 1 due to COVID-19
The Seattle Special Events Committee voted unanimously to approve an administrative decision to extend the permit suspension to November 1, 2020. This suspension is caused by the continued COVID-19 pandemic, which currently shows no signs of slowing in our communities. During this time, continued gathering is not advisable from a public health perspective, as gathering could jeopardize the health and safety of our communities and cause a further surge of the virus.
At this time, Seattle and King County are in Phase 2 of Governor Inslee's Safe Start order, where large gatherings are prohibited. Gatherings of over 50 people are not considered until Phase Four.
The Special Events Committee is the 21-member group of City, County, and State safety and planning agencies that review and approve major Seattle events permitted through the Special Event Permits process. The permitting review and approval process requires a minimum of 90 days, and with the uncertainty of when and how major events may be allowed in the State’s phased approach, the Committee voted to refrain from issuing permits through Labor Day.
The Special Events Committee is currently accepting and will review applications for events after Labor Day and is developing processes event organizers can use to incorporate State and public health requirements in their events.
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New Forecast Shows Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Air in Seattle Region Through the Weekend
Beginning today and through the weekend, the City’s parks, boat ramps, beaches, playfields, and library curbside pickup locations will be closed.
Public Health – Seattle & King County advises all those who are able to stay inside for the duration of the unhealthy air quality. All those who have asthma or other respiratory conditions should keep their inhaler and other relevant medications on hand. If a person with existing health conditions experiences a worsening of their condition due to the unhealthy air, they should contact their health care provider immediately.
It’s important to note that cloth face coverings – while critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 – do NOT prevent respiratory harms that could be caused by unhealthy air quality. N95 and N100 masks offer slightly better protection against unhealthy air quality, however, those should continue to be reserved for health care workers and first responders addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
We encourage you to regularly check Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for updates on air quality. For information about COVID-19, including in multiple languages, visit www.kingcounty.gov/COVID.
For more information on the City’s response, please visit our blog.
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Seattle is Accepting Film Permit Applications!
Pursuant to the Governor’s order to allow film production in Washington State, we are excited to announce that Seattle Master Film Permit applications are being accepted for productions who are able to meet all guidelines set forth by Washington State’s Phase 2 Motion Picture Production COVID-19 Requirements. The City of Seattle’s requirements meet the same standards set by state and public health guidelines.
If Washington State or King County reverts to Phase 1, or if changes in COVID-19 conditions make it necessary in the public interest, Seattle Master Film Permits will be suspended.
Visit the Office of Film + Music film permit page to apply for a Seattle Master Film Permit. Review the COVID-19 Film Guidance and Updates section of our website before applying for a permit, as some processes have temporarily changed to reflect public health guidance. Please contact us at [email protected] or 206-233-3948 for any other questions.
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Grant & Loan Fund for Early – Stage Arts, Creative, and Cultural Cooperatives
The Grant & Loan Fund for Early-Stage Arts, Creative, and Cultural Cooperatives is a collaboration between the Center for Cultural Innovation’s (CCI) AmbitioUS national initiative; Seed Commons, a national cooperative of locally rooted non-extractive loan funds; and Uptima Business Bootcamp, a member-owned business accelerator that provides hands-on education and resources to entrepreneurs. The Grant & Loan Fund has three distinct components: 1) general operating support grant funding, 2) a non-extractive loan product provided by Seed Commons, and 3) cooperative-specific business and technical assistance during the program provided by Uptima Business Bootcamp.
The Grant & Loan Fund will provide $125,000 in general operating support grants of up to $25,000 each to five creative-industry cooperative enterprises. We encourage applications from cooperative enterprises at their early-stage (i.e., there is a commitment to starting the cooperative or the cooperative is newly incorporated) or early-stage growth (i.e., still a young cooperative with an opportunity to realize new growth with additional capital). Although not a condition of eligibility, we are seeking opportunities wherein a combination of a $25,000 grant from CCI, a loan from Seed Commons (terms to be customized to awardees’ potential), and technical assistance from Uptima would be catalytic in the cooperative’s further development. Applications are due October 5, 12:00PM, PST. For more information, click here.
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NIFFTY 2020
The 14th Annual National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) is going virtual, October 23 – November 1, 2020! NIFFTY is the world’s largest and most influential festival for emerging filmmakers. Each year the festival showcases films by directors 24 and under. Discounted Early Bird Passes are on sale now through September 15!
Click here for more information.
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Submit Your Music to PlayBack!
Seattle Public Library is seeking submissions for their free music collection, PlayBack. Playback contains 250 albums by Seattle area artists including; SassyBlack, Tomo Nakayama, BEARAXE, The Black Tones, Lori Goldston, Whitney Monge, NAVVI and many more!
The public can download or stream these albums for free, and slected artists receive $200 and lots of library love.
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Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) + Tasveer South Asian Litfest (TSAL)
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival (TSAFF) is collaborating with 6 other South Asian film festivals across North America to bring to you the Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF). TSAFF will close the festival on October 31st with the winner of the Tasveer Film Fund.
The festival does not stop here. Tasveer South Asian Litfest (TSAL) will be added to the fall festival this year, to celebrate South Asian writers and their work!
The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted many arts-based organizations and industries. This festival aims to center and celebrate films, books, artists, and writers.
CoSAFF will feature films from different South Asian countries and their diaspora, panels, industry days, and LIVE Q&A with your favorite filmmakers.
TSAL will feature your favorite South Asian authors speaking on various literary topics. We also have some exciting new programs for you this year!
TSAFF will feature a whole lot of local and diaspora films, available for everyone to watch on our channel. The winner of Tasveer Film Fund will be announced on TSAFF Closing Night, October 31st
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This week on Art Zone: SAM’s Chiyo Ishikawa says farewell, music from Sun Killers
Seattle teen Alexander Soukakos, an up and coming graphic designer, sets sights on New York City; beloved Seattle Art Museum curator Chiyo Ishikawa begins a new chapter; Jed Crisologo from the Sun Killers debuts a new tune; the 21st annual Seattle Sketchfest goes virtual; Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Arts & Lectures, and ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery release their online performance schedules; and the Guppy’s explore the cool walls and doors of their Queen Anne neighborhood. Watch here.
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COVID Check-in with Film Producers
Washington’s film industry has been back to work for almost two months—how’s it been going? To find out, Washington Filmworks chatted with commercial producers Nikki Sherritt and Buzzy Cancilla to see how the new set safety protocols have impacted creative choices, budgets and physical production.
Click here to see the conversation.
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