Photo: West Seattle Blog

Hello King County Creative Connector Readers,

Harbor Island Studios is officially open for business! Thank you to all of you who came out to the Harbor Island Studios Open Houses! We were thrilled to host over 1,000 guests over two nights and reveal the latest improvements to the facility, watch some films created onsite, and network with the industry. Thank you to our producing partners at the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, the EFAB (Executive’s Film Advisory Board), all of our sponsors and partners, and all of the filmmakers who contributed to making the Open Houses such a success! It was an amazing feeling to see so many folks stream through our doors!

Harbor Island Studios Open House photos taken by Alley Rutzel are here. King County Executive Dow Constantine released this statement to the media.

None of this would be possible without the support of both the King County Council, our colleagues, and our EFAB – the Executive’s Film Advisory Board. These committed film champions have tirelessly offered their knowledge and expertise to inform the development of Harbor Island Studios, and we are grateful for their service.

If you were unable to join us for the Open Houses, you are welcome to come tour Harbor Island Studios on Friday, August 4th at 10am. Please RSVP below.

We look forward to working with you to make your productions successful!

Kate Becker and the King County Economic Opportunity & Creative Economy Team

King County Makes Historic Investment to Tackle Racism as a Public Health Crisis

King County Executive Dow Constantine and fellow co-chairs of the Gathering Collaborative, Dr. Ben Danielson and Abigail Echo-Hawk, announced $25 million in grants awarded to 123 nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to advance the work of addressing racism as a public health crisis in the region.

Since March 2022, King County and the co-chairs have met weekly with the Gathering Collaborative, a group of diverse and trusted community members, to co-create the grant program. The Collaborative is the result of reimagining a different grants process in partnership with Black and Indigenous communities, and to equitably distribute grant funding to advance economic and racial justice in communities. Read more.

CHOMP!

CHOMP!, King County’s celebration of local food and sustainable living, returns Aug. 19 to Marymoor Park in Redmond with live music from Blind Boys of Alabama, plus a full day’s worth of free, fun activities for all ages. Cedrick Burnside, and local musicians Stephanie Anne Johnson, Alessandra Rose and Mikey the Rad Scientist are all on the lineup.

Activities will start at 10 a.m. and include a farmers market, local food vendors, tree climbing, NW Kung Fu lion dance, petting zoo, fix-it fair, seed balls, and a scavenger hunt. Come on out! 

Seattle 48 Hour Film Project Sets Record!

Our friends at the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project had a record number of teams this year: 85! Congrats to all of the casts and crews! This photo is of the kickoff at Harbor Island Studios.

Cinerama Reopening Could Get $2M Boost from Seattle, King County Councils

Members of the Seattle and King County councils are proposing awards to help the reopening of the Cinerama movie theater, purchased by SIFF earlier. Read more here.

4Culture Landmarks Capital Fund Applications Open

Landmarks Capital Fund

Deadline: 8/20/23 at 5pm

Washington Filmworks Film Incentive Program Application Window Now Open 

More details here. 

4Culture Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities Application Window Open

Details: The Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities grants provide funding for building, remodeling, and buying specialized space that houses and facilitates cultural work in King County. A total of $1,100,000 is available in the funding pool.

Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities - 4Culture



Deadline: 7/28/23 at 4pm

The Summit 9/7-9/10/23 in Renton.

Newly branded The Summit, (and historically known as the Seattle Film Summit), Renton will be going off next month as the creative sector convenes in Renton. As of 2023, The Summit has expanded to include fashion, publishing, music, and gaming. Check it out here.