We’d like to introduce you to the cross-discipline film industry team that makes up the Seattle Film Task Force! Assembled this February, the Film Task Force is tasked to advise the Office of Film + Music in its advocacy for, and policy related to, the support and equitable, inclusive growth of the local film industry and community. 

Over 160 applications and nominations were received through a public process in December and January. A selection panel of film industry and community stakeholders reviewed the applications and nominations, and delivered recommendations to the OED and OFM directors, who seated the members. Please see our website for bios of each of our members! 

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is now accepting street use permit applications, which allow restaurants, retail stores, vending trucks and carts to operate in the sidewalk or curb space in front of their business. The free SDOT flexible temporary street use permit options are for sidewalk cafes, food, merchandise displays,  and other vending. These temporary permits will be available for up to six months. Learn more here. 

You can also find out more details on the SDOT blog.

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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.

Lease Amendment Toolkit

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.

Schedule Free COVID-19 Test

Chambers and business organizations around the region have come together in partnership with King County to provide cloth face coverings, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer to businesses in King County to help keep employees healthy and safe.

Businesses have two options for getting face coverings, masks and hand sanitizer: Small Business Safe Start Supplies Kits can be ordered online and received via Contact-Less Pickup, or the can be shipped (shipping fees apply).

Order Online

Unemployment Law Project: This organization provides low-cost representation and free advice and counsel to people in Washington State who have been denied unemployment benefits or whose award of benefits is being challenges. Unemployment Law Project is also hosting and producing webinars for workers who may additional support. They also have in-language support in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Hindi, Korean, Arabic, Amharic, Laotian, and Vietnamese. For more information, click here.    

WorkSource Seattle-King County: To find a list of WorkSource locations and community based organizations that are assisting workers with filing for unemployment, see their website.   

Small businesses in Seattle are eligible to apply for several different  types of federal loans, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and  Small Business Administration (SBA) loan products. These loans can offset reduced revenues and other economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The deadline to apply for PPP loans has been extended to August 8. To find out more about applying for this forgivable loan, see this SBA publication: PPP: 5 things to know today.

For more information about federal loan options, see OED’s webpage SBA Disaster Loan Technical Assistance. 

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King County announced it is providing one-time grants as economic support to certain types of organizations in King County experiencing business interruption caused by the required closures of the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Grants may be used to reimburse costs of business interruption for expenditures March 1 through December 30, 2020, or to facilitate compliance with public health safety measures for expenses that are necessary for the organization to prepare for safe reopening.

Grant sizes will vary, determined based on the number of applications received, the number of organizations that meet the selection criteria, and availability of funds.  Applications will be accepted through July 27, 2020.

In response to the murder of George Floyd, and the subsequent protests that have shaken cities across America, Wondercamp is hoping to uplift and support BIPOC voices in this movement by providing film grants.

There will be two $1,000 grants awarded to two BIPOC filmmakers based in Seattle who are documenting and telling stories within their communities at this time. Funds can go towards any aspect of filmmaking (gear, paying yourself, music, food for late night edits, etc). 

The application will be open through July 15th, 2020.

Tasveer has launched the Tasveer Film Fund (TFF), the first-ever dedicated grant for South Asian filmmakers in the United States. 

In its inaugural year, TFF will give out one grant of $5000 to a South Asian filmmaker in the U.S. towards making a short film. Short script submissions will be accepted from May 11, 2020 to July 31, 2020. Find more details on their website.

Take a look at Seattle's fabulous creative scene, with fresh highlights from local arts, entertainment and cultural happenings. Art Zone with Nancy Guppy features interviews with local artists and performers, reviews and previews of current offerings, and lots of surprises. New episodes of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy premiere Friday nights at 8 p.m., with additional playbacks throughout the week.

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