NOIR CITY: Seattle Returns Friday with Femme Fatales

NOIR CITY: Seattle Returns Friday with Femme Fatales

Seattle cinephiles and noir aficionados take note—NOIR CITY: Seattle is back with a vengeance, and this year, it’s all about the dames. From February 14-20, the festival takes over a brand-new venue, SIFF Cinema Downtown (2100 4th Street), delivering a week of femme fatales, shadow-drenched cinematography, and the intoxicating pulse of jazz that underscores the very essence of film noir.

The 2025 lineup is a celebration of women’s legacy in noir cinema, featuring a stunning selection of classic films that shaped the genre. Out of the eighteen films screening, twelve will be presented in their original 35mm glory, offering audiences an authentic glimpse into the cinematic past. One of the festival’s crown jewels is the Film Noir Foundation’s restoration of Cry Danger (1951), a hard-boiled gem that showcases Dick Powell in one of his grittiest roles. Adding to the excitement, NOIR CITY: Seattle will also screen the freshly restored 4K edition of Phantom Lady (1944), directed by Robert Siodmak and newly revitalized by Universal Pictures.

This year’s program highlights the unforgettable actresses profiled in Eddie Muller’s seminal 2002 book Dark City Dames: The Wicked Women of Film Noir, which will see a revised and expanded reissue in April 2025. Muller—often dubbed the ‘Czar of Noir’—will personally host all screenings during the festival’s opening weekend, February 14-16, bringing his signature insight and expertise to each film. Taking over for the latter half of the festival, local noir experts and authors Vince and Rosemarie Keenan will guide audiences through the shadowy streets of noir history.

Opening Night promises to be an event to remember. Before the screening of The Narrow Margin (1952), audiences will be treated to a special jazz performance by the Dmitri Matheny Quintet. Known for his evocative flugelhorn work, Matheny, along with his all-star ensemble, will set the tone with a selection of jazz standards that capture the mood of mid-century crime cinema. The music begins at 5:30 p.m., making for an ideal way to start a noir-soaked Valentine’s weekend.

For die-hard noir fans, the all-access NOIR CITY Pass grants entry to every screening and event throughout the festival. Individual tickets and full schedule details are available now—secure your spot in the shadows before they vanish into the fog.

Whether you’re drawn to the allure of femme fatales, the dark poetry of chiaroscuro lighting, or the timeless tension of noir storytelling, NOIR CITY: Seattle is set to be a cinematic experience like no other. Step into the darkness—if you dare.