City of Seattle and NFFTY to Host Film Career Day on Nov. 6th

Keynote discussion will feature writer-director Bao Tran and the creative team of the hugely popular film THE PAPER TIGERS, moderated by Northwest Film Forum Executive Director and 2021 recipient of the Mayor’s Film Award, Vivian Hua.

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), will host a free day of workshops and networking opportunities for the next generation of film professionals from the Greater Seattle Area. Film Career Day will take place Saturday, November 6th, wrapping up the National Youth Filmmaker Summit, which kicked off October 4th. Film Career Day will offer a streamlined curriculum that includes panels, industry networking opportunities, and connections to local resources -- including media arts programs and other educators that offer training, independent filmmakers who have worked to find their niche in the local filmmaking scene, and Northwest-based film industry employers.

This year, Film Career Day will facilitate a hybrid experience offering virtual participation options and two in-person locations at the Northgate Community Center and at El Centro de la Raza (Beacon Hill). Free registration for both virtual and in-person activities is online at https://www.nffty.org/film-career-day.

“We are so honored to bring another edition of Film Career Day back to Seattle area youth,” said Dan Hudson, Executive Director of NFFTY. “Producing these events in partnership with OED and ARTS directly influenced the National Youth Filmmaker Summit; we’re especially excited that all involved have embraced the possibilities of this unique hybrid experience, which brings both synchronous and symmetrical experiences to virtual and in-person attendees.”

“Connecting young people, who are the future of our workforce, to opportunities that will advance their aspirations in the creative economy is a key focus for OED,” said Pamela Banks, Interim Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development. “Film Career Day is an excellent opportunity for our young people to get exposure to the full breadth of possibilities within the film industry at large and connect to local mentors that can help shape their understanding of what is possible for their professional futures. OED is proud to partner with impactful organizations like NFFTY and ARTS to create space for our young creatives!”

“Film Career Day builds on the success of The Creative Advantage, our department’s partnership with Seattle Public Schools to advance equity in arts education," said Royal Alley-Barnes, Acting Director of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. "Through Career Days, young people get to see how others like them have merged their skills and their passions to drive our vibrant local creative industries. We are grateful to partner with NFFTY and OED to continue strengthening pathways to creative careers for Seattle-area young people.”

Says keynote speaker and filmmaker Bao Tran, "I look forward to saving the youth from a world of pain by sharing our successes, failures, and lessons learned in this crazy journey of filmmaking. I will also teach the finer arts of making instant ramen, an essential diet for screenwriters."
In 2018 and 2019, Film Career Day hosted over 600 attendees, including more than 400 students from over 35 schools. More than 50 panelists, ranging from local filmmakers to film educators to film businesses, participated in discussions on VR/AR/emerging technology, director/producer roles, and where to find film work after school. Over 40 film schools, businesses, and associations participated in vendor fairs in 2018 and 2019.

The third annual Film Career Day offers young people ages 13 to 26 direct access to professionals working in all areas of the film industry, from behind the camera to the director's chair, as well as other positions that contribute to the filmmaking and media creation process. The keynote event will be a panel discussion with writer-director Bao Tran, whose locally produced film THE PAPER TIGERS has been taking the entertainment world by storm, reaching the Top 10 streamed on Netflix after a wide theatrical release. Tran will be joined by his creative team to discuss many aspects of their filmmaking experience including filming in Seattle, hiring and maintaining a diverse cast, and how they are retaining creative control of their project.

The third annual Film Career Day is part of NFFTY's 2021-22 programming season, which is produced with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWA, 4Culture, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, ArtsFund, and The Norcliffe Foundation, with additional support for Film Career Day from King County Creative.