Seattle's True Independent Film Festival

In 2012 STIFF moved to the University District screening films at the Grand Illusion, Jet City Improve Theater and Lucid Lounge.

Past venues have included the Seattle Art Museum, Northwest Film Forum, The Jewel Box at The Rendezvous’, Central Cinema, The Showbox and Nuemos.

The festival grew over the years to include music and comedy with performances by such notable musicians as SassyBlack (Cat, of THEESatisfaction), Metal Chocolates, DJ OCnotes, Moby and comics Emmett Montgomery, Derek Sheen & Daniel Desrosiers.

Kevin Gilbert served as the first STIFF program director and retired after the 2007 festival concluded to focus on his acting career and Mixed Martial Arts.

STIFF got into a censorship flap with a printer (Wright Business Graphics) when they refused to print their program on moral grounds that it had an advertisement for The Stranger's HUMP!