Boots Riley is bringing his latest caper straight to Seattle’s front door. His star-studded heist comedy I Love Boosters will launch the 52nd Seattle International Film Festival on May 7 with an opening-night gala screening and after-party that pulls the spotlight onto the Paramount Theatre and downtown crowds. Arriving just weeks before the film’s nationwide rollout, the pick gives SIFF a buzzy early look at Riley’s follow-up to Sorry to Bother You.
Opening night plans
SIFF has the opening-night screening locked for 7 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, with doors at 6 p.m. and an after-party set for Cannonball Arts once the credits roll. Gala tickets are still available through the festival box office, according to SIFF.
About the film
Written and directed by Boots Riley, I Love Boosters follows a crew of professional shoplifters who set their sights on a ruthless fashion mogul. The ensemble cast includes Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González and Demi Moore, giving the heist plot plenty of star power. The film had its world premiere earlier this month as the opening-night selection at SXSW, and it is slated for a nationwide release from NEON on May 22. The premiere slot was announced by SXSW, while trailer and release details have already been covered in TheWrap.
SIFF context and scheduling
The 52nd edition of SIFF runs May 7 to 17, with individual tickets set to go on sale to the general public on April 16 and earlier access reserved for members. Riley is no stranger to Seattle screens. His debut feature Sorry to Bother You had a high-profile slot in SIFF’s 2018 lineup, which makes this year’s opener feel like a bit of a homecoming. The festival dates and ticketing details were announced by SIFF, and Riley’s previous SIFF appearance was noted in coverage from outlets such as Backstage.
Where it is headed next
The festival tour for I Love Boosters is not stopping in Seattle. The film is set for a West Coast showcase as a centerpiece screening at SFFILM in late April, part of a broader coast-to-coast festival push ahead of its theatrical release. SFFILM has confirmed the Grand Lake screenings and related programming. For Seattle audiences, SIFF’s opening-night ticket page remains the key place to watch for guest announcements and any last-minute updates to the May 7 festivities.
