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News from the Office of Film + Music | Vol. 14, No. 16 | June 19, 2020
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The Office of Film + Music continues our work to support the film, music, nightlife, events industries, communities, businesses, and workers during this challenging time. Our weekly industry newsletter is here to help you access local, state, and federal resources.
For industry-specific resources, please visit our Film, Music + Nightlife, and Events, or contact our industry liaisons here.
The City's Office of Economic Development has also prepared an online resource hub for business, workers, and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
 Getty images
Today, June 19 is Juneteenth—a holiday that commemorates the arrival of General Gordon Granger and Union troops in Galveston Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the enslavement of Black people, over two years after President Lincoln declared the abolition of slavery in the United States. Each year, Juneteenth is celebrated as an Independence Day for African Americans, and a day to honor Black culture and communities.
As we celebrate this year, the Office of Film + Music recognizes there is still much progress and changes to be made to undo the injustices our Black community faces day-to-day. We understand this is a movement and not a moment. Below are examples of ways the Office of Film + Music is recommitting our priorities to undoing institutional racism, and promoting equity and inclusivity within the film, music, nightlife, and events industries.
We will continue conversations of how we can include and amplify more Black voices, along with Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) perspectives into our policy work, especially through our advisory groups. The Seattle Music Commission is currently developing equitable COVID-19 response work plans and the Film Task Force hosted a public meeting this week to gather feedback on creating meaningful systemic change. We will center systemic change through the Special Events Committee, working now to address prioritizing BIPOC and cultural events, and with external nightlife advisory groups including WANMA who is prioritizing under-served communities during nightlife venue reopening efforts.
We especially want to hear ideas from our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) stakeholders in the film, music, nightlife, and events industries. We hear you, and we stand with you. We commit to developing concrete actions OFM can take to break down systemic racism and demand equity in our mission to support and grow Seattle’s creative industries.
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Watch: Film Task Force’s Equity & Inclusivity Committee Public Conversation
On Wednesday, June 17, OFM’s Film Task Force advisory group hosted a public meeting with Seattle’s film industry and community to share its work plan and goals centered in equity and inclusivity, and to get feedback on its priorities to ensure meaningful systemic change in the City’s support of the film industry and community. Led by the Film Task Force’s “Equity and Inclusivity” subcommittee, more than 60 people attended the two hour conversation. If you could not attend the meeting, you can watch the recording below and download the Power Point. The chat log from this meeting can be made available upon request.
King County Approved for Phase 2 of Safe Start Washington Plan
Special Events Committee Will Not Issue Permits Through September 7
The Seattle Special Events Committee voted unanimously to approve an administrative decision to not issue Special Event Permits through September 7, 2020.
At this time, Seattle and King County are in Phase 2 of Governor Inslee's Safe Start order, where large gatherings are prohibited. Gatherings of over 50 people are not considered until Phase Four.
The Special Events Committee is the 21-member group of City, County, and State safety and planning agencies that review and approve major Seattle events permitted through the Special Event Permits process. The permitting review and approval process requires a minimum of 90 days, and with the uncertainty of when and how major events may be allowed in the State’s phased approach, the Committee voted to refrain from issuing permits through Labor Day.
The Special Events Committee is currently accepting and will review applications for events after Labor Day and is developing processes event organizers can use to incorporate State and public health requirements in their events.
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The Mixer: June – Getting Back to Film, Music, Nightlife, and Events Work Safely
As we move through the Governor’s phased approach to reopening the state’s economy, many questions remain about how workers and businesses get back to work safely in creative industries.
Join us on Wednesday, June 24, for The Mixer – a moderated panel will discuss proposed reopening strategies and guidelines that are in development across film, music, nightlife, and events industries, with interactive break-out sessions for each discipline.
Panelists include David Doxtater with Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA) and A Seattle Special Event Team (ASSET); Kate Becker representing Reopen Every Venue Safely (REVS) and King County Creative; Nate Omdal of Musicians' Association of Seattle Local 76-493, AFM; and Amy Lillard from Washington Filmworks and Whipsmart.
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Nonprofit, Small Business, & Residential Eviction Moratoriums Extended Through August 1
Consistent with the State of Washington's recently expanded eviction moratorium, the City of Seattle has extended its moratoriums on evictions of nonprofits, small businesses, and residents through August 1, 2020.
If you are having difficulty paying rent, please see our Lease Amendment Toolkit available in eight languages.
Free COVID-19 Testing at Two New Citywide Testing Sites in North and South Seattle
The City of Seattle is now offering free COVID-19 testing at two sites across Seattle through a partnership with King County and UW Medicine. Drive-through testing is available, but you must first register online or over the phone. Information is now available in seven languages.
If you attended recent protests, you are strongly urged to get tested for COVID-19 if you are showing symptoms.
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Relaunch Green Webinar Series for Seattle Businesses
Seattle Public Utilities and EnviroStars' Green Business Program team is compiling tools to help local businesses maintain their commitments to green business practices.
The “ReLaunch Green” program kicks off with free webinars that are packed with actionable tips to reduce operational costs and risks, boost employee and customer confidence, and conserve valuable resources.
Webinar: Conserve Water and Protect Water Quality at Your Business on Thursday, June 25 at 12-1 PM.
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Finding Your Way Out of the Maze - An Unemployment Webinar for Gig Workers
Are you a gig worker, freelancer, business owner or creative professional struggling to navigate the ins and outs of filing for unemployment? Then this webinar is for you!
Washington Filmworks, Whipsmart, the Washington Employment Security Department and Artist Trust are partnering to present a webinar answering the most common questions we’ve heard about unemployment.
Expert Scott Michael, the Legal Services Coordination Manager for the Washington Employment Security Department, will shed some light on lots of topics.
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Legal Advice Week for Creatives & Artists
Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) is offering 30-minutes of free legal advice for creatives, artists, and arts professionals until June 19.
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Film Festival Alliance Virtual Roundtables
Film Festival Alliance's Virtual Roundtable video conversations are free and open to all festival professionals.
Check out the next Virtual Roundtable on June 26 at 11 a.m. PDT. Hear from festival organizers who’ve been through a work from home festival, and what you might expect when you’re not running from venue to venue, putting out fires, and entertaining filmmakers.
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DACA: Free Legal Clinics and Consultations
If you are a current or past DACA recipient, the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs recommends that you renew your DACA status as soon as possible and consult with an immigration attorney or accredited representative to explore whether you might qualify for another pathway to obtain legal status.
Organizations are offering free legal help to qualified DACA recipients, including consultations, screenings, and other legal assistance.
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ConnectAll - The nonprofit technology access organization InterConnection is offering refurbished laptops starting at $109 for low-income residents. You can register and purchase refurbished laptops.
ArtZone: The Dreamy and Immersive Landscapes of 3-D Artist Neon Saltwater
Created by Chris Barnes, welcome to the world of Neon Saltwater where, in beautifully detailed pastel-colored digitally-created rooms, one can virtually hear the rustling sound of palm trees, smell the fruity allure of a rum-based drink, and feel the relentless beat of an '80s soundtrack.
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Scarecrow Video and Factory 25 Present Queen of Lapa
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Scarecrow Video is teaming up with Factory 25 to bring you the documentary QUEEN OF LAPA starting this Friday, June 19. Proceeds from this virtual screening will benefit Scarecrow and help them recoup their losses from the recent shutdown.
A proud transgender sex worker since the age of eleven, Luana Muniz, now fifty-nine, shapes a new reality in her “hostel” by housing a new generation of transgender sex workers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. QUEEN OF LAPA explores the day-to-day lives, rivalries, and quests for love of sex workers, as Muniz’s guides them in a city full of hostility towards its LGBTQ community.
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Rapper Draze Continues Building Black Wealth With Juneteenth Virtual Marketplace - South Seattle Emerald
Short Film "Being Black in America" - South Seattle Emerald
Music Companies to Observe Juneteenth Holiday - Billboard
25th Seattle Jewish Film Festival Goes Virtual!
2 Chainz, Brittany Howard, and More Join Livestream to Help Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color - AV CLUB
Don Winslow Says to Boycott Georgia Over Voter Suppression - News Lagoon
25th Seattle Jewish Film Festival Goes Virtual!
25th Seattle Jewish Film Festival Goes Virtua
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