2017 Festival
Vulcan Productions today announced the sponsorship of the Seattle International Film Festival. Founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur Paul G. Allen, Vulcan Productions produces compelling feature films, television programming, digital content and outreach initiatives designed to inspire people to take action on the critical issues of our time. The sponsorship of the Seattle International Film Festival continues Paul Allen’s long-term commitment to supporting art and culture in the Pacific Northwest.STEP, winner of the Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Inspirational Filmmaking, which was co-produced by Vulcan Productions, will have its Seattle premiere at the 2017 festival. Paul Allen and Carole Tomko, General Manager of Vulcan Productions, are executive producers of the film, which is slated to be released in August by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
The documentary chronicles the trials and triumphs of the senior girls of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women who find solidarity through their step team as they prepare to go to college. Raw and honest interviews with the girls, their families and the school faculty reveal the sacrifices, determination and teamwork it has taken to come so far, and the role that stepping has played in helping them navigate years of laughter and tears, hard knocks and kinship, false starts and accomplishments.
Director and Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Amanda Lipitz returns to the city of her birth to document a year in the lives of the spirited and tenacious Lethal Ladies step team. Lipitz follows graduating seniors who have survived almost seven years of academic challenges and high expectations as they await the results of their college applications, and practice for the most important step competition of their lives.
Tomko said, “We are thrilled to be a sponsor of the Seattle International Film Festival again this year, and to support filmmakers and their powerful work in our community. We couldn’t be more proud to share STEP with Seattle audiences who will experience the brave stories of these young women, their mentors, coaches and families who show us the transformative power of education, storytelling and the arts.” Seattle International Film Festival Artistic Director, Beth Barrett, states, “A key focus of SIFF is to bring powerful stories of human nature to the Seattle audience through our International Film Festival. Year after year, Vulcan Productions produces insightful and eye-opening documentaries, and this year’s STEP is no exception. We are honored to continue strengthening our partnership with Vulcan Productions as well as our efforts to positively engage the film community with honest and thought-provoking storytelling.”