They need to raise $70,000 by August 15, or face significant cuts to core programs and their small staff.

They are asking for donations of any size.  You can use this secure online donation form (there’s an “Other Amount” box at the bottom of the membership options), send in a check via snail mail, or drop by the place personally and hand them a 10-spot.

In a July 30 message sent to 10,000 email subscribers and posted online (here, here, and here), NWFF Executive Director Lyall Bush said that income for the year was down by 30%.  “While we remain scrappy and imaginative in tough spots, this time is different,” he wrote.  “We are looking at real changes…programs such as Soul Nite and ByDesign could go. It means fewer masterpieces such as “Silent Light” showing up on our screens. It means maybe no more camera rentals. Jobs and programs are on the line.”

Curator of special programs Peter Lucas was furloughed indefinitely earlier this summer.  Several other key positions are now said to be in immediate risk of furloughing or even elimination.

The Northwest Film Forum is an invaluable part of Seattle’s arts community, providing 2 theaters filled year-round with films and events, financing and production support for regional filmmakers, workshops and training, very inexpensive film and video equipment rentals, editing facilities, a collaborative space for artists of all disciplines, it sponsors the Seattle Children’s Film Festival, rents office space to filmmakers and festivals, does some film distribution, has a film vault and even a lending library.  They have working relationships with other local organizations, colleges and universities, embassies and consulates, PBS, and film institutions around the world.

Any city would be lucky to have an arts organization like that, and precious few do — especially one devoted to film arts.

The NWFF has been very supportive of the Sprocket Society, and many many others.  Please consider supporting them now, when they need it most.  All it’ll take is 3 minutes of your time and two clicks.