Alaska Airlines and SIFF Invite Filmmakers to Explore, Dream, Discover

SEATTLE, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines and the Seattle International Film Festival invite filmmakers of all ages to answer the question "how is your life different or better because of where you've traveled?"

"We know the opportunity to travel can change a world view. Our business is all about connecting people to life experiences through travel, while SIFF connects people to life experiences through film," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "We look forward to sharing some of those life moments with our customers through the submissions we receive."

Films may be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes long, in any genre from documentary to stop-motion, and must include an Alaska Airlines element (such as website, mobile app, aircraft or other). View complete rules, as well as award categories and prizes, at www.siff.net/alaskafilm.

A panel of representatives from SIFF and Alaska Airlines will select three winners. The categories are:

• Critics' Choice: awarded to the film that best represents originality, use of theme and technical proficiency.
• Best Emerging Filmmaker: awarded to the best film submitted by a filmmaker 18 to 24 years old.
• Best Individual Youth Film: awarded to the best film submitted by an individual filmmaker under 18.

Each winner will receive round-trip travel for four on Alaska Airlines, and exclusive full festival passes to the Seattle International Film Festival and the premiere of winning films at SIFF 2014 Best of SIFF series. The winning entries will also be featured on Alaska Airlines' inflight entertainment system, website and social media channels.

Alaska Airlines has proudly sponsored the Seattle International Film Festival since 1991.

"This competition furthers our commitment to fostering and showcasing the creative talents of filmmakers of all ages," SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence said. "We're honored to partner with Alaska Airlines in celebrating the inspiration of travel. With SIFF's 40^th anniversary theme—'You will be returned home safely, but forever changed'—now is the perfect time to explore, dream, discover."

About SIFF
Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States, reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming, presenting over 250 features and 150 short films from over 70 countries each year. SIFF Cinema exhibits premiere theatrical engagements, repertory, classic, and revival film showings 365 days a year on four screens at the SIFF Film Center and the historic SIFF Cinema Uptown, reaching more than 100,000 attendees annually. SIFF Education offers educational programs for all audiences, serving more than 11,000 students and youth in the community with free programs each year.

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.  With more nonstop flights to Seattle than any other carrier, Alaska is widely regarded as the West Coast's major airline. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for six consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

* Contest rules
Submissions will be accepted from Feb. 19 to April 17, 2014. There is no minimum age to enter the competition; however, minors (age 17 and younger) must acquire permission from a parent or guardian to participate. Each film must involve an experience no more than three hours from a destination served by Alaska Airlines. Films must be a minimum of 30 seconds long and may not exceed 2 minutes, including credits and introductory graphic. View complete rules, as well as award categories and prizes, at: www.siff.net/alaskafilm.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines