The "Founding Fathers"[1] of MIFFF are Eric Morgret, Isaac Alexander, Rick Tillman, Gabe de los Angeles & Dan Doody. The festival was first conceived at a gathering in June 2008,[2] which led to the first event taking place in September 2009.[3][4] The event was created to offer exposure to films that traditionally are overlooked by the mainstream festival circuit from genres including action, animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction.[5][6] The vision drew inspiration from other genre film festivals around the globe such as Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Fantastic Fest in Austin, and the first genre film festival, the Sitges Film Festival in Catalonia. MIFFF was registered shortly thereafter as a Washington State non-profit and acts as the parent organization of the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival. The festival featured a diverse selection of cult genre cinema from around the globe – with the possibility of artists presenting the works themselves.
2011
The third annual MIFFF was held September 16–18, 2011 at the SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington. The festival showcased five feature films[7] and 49 short films[8] from around the world.
Best Animation Short (Audience & Jury Award): Nullarbor
Best Fantasy Short (Audience Award): Employe du Mois
Best Fantasy Short (Jury Award): Arthur
Best Horror Short (Audience & Jury Award): Brutal Relax
Best Sci-Fi Short (Audience Award): Mongrel's Creed
Best Sci-Fi Short (Jury Award): Status
2010
The second annual MIFFF was held September 17–19, 2010[9] at the SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington.
The festival showcased 4 feature films[10] and 41 short films from around the world.
Best Fantasy Short: Manual Practico del Amigo Imaginario (abreviado)
Best Horror Short: The Familiar
Best Sci-Fi Short: Babylon 2084
2009
The first MIFFF was held September 18–20, 2009[11] at the SIFF Cinema[4][12] at McCaw Hall in Seattle,[3][13] Washington.
The festival showcased 6 feature films[14] and 33 short films[15] from around the world.[16]