Scope Screenings Sends Off Season 4: Film and Fashion's Harmonious Crossroads

The Scope Screenings season finale, dubbed the Met Gala Edition, brought together local creatives last month for a night where fashion and film met at a harmonious crossroads. Held at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle’s Central District, the event marked the conclusion of Scope Screenings’ fourth season. 

According to Scope Screenings founder and film commissioner Lex Scope, the central mission of 2025’s season was to uplift underrepresented creatives in the city, proudly stating that the Scope Screenings community is tearing down stereotypical social walls in Seattle. 

"It's more of a we thing, not a me thing. I can't stress that enough," he said. 

Among the filmmakers screening their work last month was barry johnson, a visual artist and painter, who showcased a deeply personal short documentary. Johnson’s film focused on his friend Damon Brown, who, despite battling an illness that rendered him unable to walk for a year, continued to tap into his creativity. 

As a Black artist in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, Johnson spoke on the event’s role in creating an inclusive space. 

“As an artist, a lot of what we do is just in the dark. A lot of what we do is just working alone. You don't really get the opportunity to have community,” he said, expressing his gratitude for Scope Screenings and inspiration from Lex Scope. "It's immensely important that as a Black artist…I open every door for people that look like me.”

Artist and skateboarder Mirai Okamura-Culpepper premiered his music video “Vintage.” For him, presenting for the first time at Scope Screenings carried great weight. 

"I grew up in Seattle, so to have this, even being the first time that my music's getting a stage like this... feels great, especially being a part of the community and being who I am at the base,” he said, proud to share what he represents as an artist. 

Other featured artists included Abdul Kassamali, Gracia The Artist, Tommy Heffernan, Hrvst Studios, Cousins, BRIMĀ, Ghostboy, Ryan Do, and Reverie, serving as a reminder of the mission that Lex Scope and the entire team have championed. 

“What we do here is create an ecosystem for the filmmakers, for the dreamers, for the believers, for the people that really just want to see their work on a big screen in real life in front of real people,” Lex said. 

Converge Media, the event’s long-standing media partner, was represented by host of “The Big O Show” The Big O, who screened a segment about November’s Scope Screenings. His message to the community was to support Scope Screenings in any way possible. 

“This is what we need. This is what our community needs,” he said.

Scope Screenings returns June, 2026. For future updates and more information on how you can support, visit scopescreenings.com.

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