The Social Justice Film Festival returns in April 2026, celebrating justice through cinema and conversation, in partnership with a host of community partners to explore all aspects of social justice through the art of filmmaking.
Based in Seattle, Washington, a city known for progressive politics, technology innovation and stunning natural surroundings, the festival brings together filmmakers from around the world to encourage interaction and engagement through film and events.
The festival will include programming and speakers that bring attention to social justice concerns in the world, and celebrate the stories of groups and people who are working for a better future. We will exhibit shorts and feature-length documentaries and narrative films from the U.S. and around the world.
Featured speakers for past festival programs have included author of "Dead Man Walking" and anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean, activist and actor Danny Glover, investigative journalist Will Potter, founder of Define American Jose Antonio Vargas, recording artist and educator DJ Cavem, activist and former captain of the Seattle Black Panthers Aaron Dixon, Yupik elder Bobby Andrew, activist and filmmaker Sanjay Rawal, BLM organizer Darnell Moore, Rev. Harriet Walden and more.
MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The Social Justice Film Festival highlights film and video work being done to encourage positive change around the world. As a movement, social justice promotes a culture of equity, justice, and inclusion. Our films have spotlighted issues pertaining to incarceration, Indigenous futures, immigrant rights, the environment and sustainability, oppression, race and racism, gender equality, the arts and rights of expression and speech, animal rights, alternative lifestyles and economies, disenfranchisement, water and food insecurity, economic disparity, homelessness, exploitation, corruption, and more. The festival will showcase works that challenge societal structures all over the globe on a macro and micro level.
The festival occurs in-person in our traditional Seattle area theaters: The Social Justice Institute at Pacific Tower and The Northwest Film Forum. After the close of in-person events, the festival streams selections for the next week according to filmmaker consent.
We are looking forward, and excited to see the projects you have been working on.
Thank you for all you do,
Yours, sincerely,
Jody Cole
Curator
Social Justice Film Festival
The Social Justice Film Festival awards honors by jury decision in each of our categories.
Feature films - Narrative and Documentary
Short films - Narrative and Documentary
Youth Visions Showcase - Films made by students and filmmakers 21 and under