Scope Screenings: The Film Platform Putting Seattle Creatives on the Big Screen
On a recent episode of Almost The Weekend, hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgardo II tapped in with creative force Lex Scope to talk all things Scope Screenings—his community-driven short film showcase that’s been changing the game in Seattle.
What began as a post-COVID experiment to screen his own films has now grown into a fully-fledged platform for local filmmakers. Over the past four years, Scope Screenings has partnered with the Seattle Black Film Festival, gained support from The Stranger and Seattle Times, and become a go-to event for storytellers looking to share their work with real audiences. And here’s the twist—Lex no longer screens his own work. Instead, he uses the platform to highlight other creators, many of whom have never seen their work on the big screen before.
This season, Lex is switching things up with a new venue—Majestic Bay Theater in Ballard—and a new theme: Popcorn & Palm Trees. As he explained during the interview, the idea came to him during a nap (yes, really), and the vibe is giving “off the boat and straight to the afterparty.” It’s summer in Seattle, and Lex is bringing a touch of that global, sun-soaked energy to the city’s independent film scene.
Each Scope Screening is more than just a movie night. Think: short films under 15 minutes, bold storytelling, a confessional booth, red carpet vibes, and artists hitting the stage to talk through their process. It’s immersive, intentional, and rooted in community. Lex calls it “the Seattle VMAs”—a space where local film culture is not only seen, but celebrated.
The upcoming screening on July 30 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. It marks Scope’s first time in Ballard, the first show at a family-owned theater, and the first time a Wu-Tang Clan member (Raekwon!) will have a video featured as part of the lineup.
Tickets and more info are available at scopescreenings.com, and the team can also be found on Instagram at @scopescreenings. Seattle creatives, film lovers, and anyone down for a night of storytelling and community are encouraged to pull up.
As Besa noted during the interview, Scope Screenings fills a gap that once existed in Seattle’s creative scene—creating opportunities not just for one filmmaker, but for an entire ecosystem of visual artists. And thanks to Lex Scope, the city is catching up with the culture.
Photos by Susan Friend on behalf of Converge Media
