THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT Original Film Screening with a Q&A with Michael C. Williams, Heather Donahue, and Joshua Leonard October 11, 2026 Review
The Blair Witch Project
Original Film Screening
Q&A with Michael C. Williams, Heather Donahue, and Joshua Leonard
October 11, 2025
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Seattle, WA
The 5th Avenue Theatre celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year. A staple of the Seattle arts scene, it was the perfect historical venue to host this monumental event. I’m very familiar with the room as I’m a credentialed reviewer of their plays and musicals each season at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
For every fandom, those that aren’t a part of it quite frankly don’t get it. They don’t understand the infatuation with any given subject matter - comics, science fiction, horror, cars, pets, etc. For this particular fandom, “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) is in a sub camp of the horror fandom. There are some who worship the film, the lore, and everything that comes with it. There are also folks that never liked it, have issues with it, and would rather geek out about something else in the horror genre.
Clearly, the fans in attendance Sunday evening would not be there if they didn’t fall into the former category. Granted, they may have brought a friend along that was new to the film, but by and large they were fans, myself (and my friend) included.
The evening started on time with the house lights dropping and the original film rolling. The Seattle crowd was hooting and hollering at times at the beginning, including laughter when appropriate. But, as the movie went along and intensified as it so expertly does, the theatre grew quiet.
By the time the finale kicked in, with the shrieks from Heather’s character in search of Mike’s character downstairs in the house, you could feel the anticipation from those in the know what was coming.
The infamous last scene played out which has become iconic in the horror world and then the credits rolled. There was loud applause from the appreciative audience coupled with a brief intermission before the question and answer session was set to begin.
The moderator came on stage and asked who was a first time viewer of the film? A fair amount of hands went up which was interesting to see. I don’t recall the moderator introducing himself but he very well may have (knowing my spotty memory). His name was Marco Collins I found out the next day, an established DJ and purveyor of the arts. Mr. Collins then introduced Michael C. Williams, Heather Donahue, and Joshua Leonard to the stage.
Sitting atop bar stools, Mr. Collins proceeded to ask questions of the actors that for the most part covered the gamut of fans in the audience. For the newbies and for the well established fans of the film. Some of the answers I had heard before but some of it was new to me - again a good mix.
The last portion of the Q&A was left to the fans to ask questions from either side of the auditorium (stage left and stage right). There was a really good mix of questions from the fans and equally wonderful responses from all three actors.
I honestly never thought I would get a bit emotional at a Q&A for “The Blair Witch Project” but there I was doing exactly that. Each actor, at different times during the session, really spoke from the heart, from their own experiences (good and bad), and that all too common artistic bond of struggling to get your art seen, heard, and accepted. Those honest answers from the cast really, for me, bonded them to the audience that much more. I could see myself in them and perhaps vice versa.
It is well documented about the ups and down the cast have gone through since this film was released back in 1999. I won’t go over the details here but I will say that many truths about the film industry have surfaced over the years in relation to this film. I will say that Michael, Heather, and Joshua were put on a rollercoaster that they were never fully prepared for (probably the understatement of the century).
The fandom, however, have embraced them, the film, and the other artists behind it. The Q&A reminded me a bit of when you come to terms with something decades down the line. You may not ever accept it but you’re in a place where you can be perhaps a bit more at peace with it. Such things as the unmistakable love from the fans, Heather learning that her character is a queer icon, and the overall positive impact the film has had on people all over the world is hopefully a healing part of the journey for all three actors.
There were still many fans waiting to ask questions when, unfortunately, the time ran out. Everyone applauded the actors for taking the time and then the event was over as the fans headed up the aisles.
For those that stayed for the meet and greet (paid or otherwise), we were brought to the front of the staging area to wait a few minutes. The backdrop and lights were set up for the professional photo opportunity and then each cast member came out to meet the fans.
Michael recognized me from the livestream interview we had done to promote the tour and said a pleasant hello. He even remembered my name!
If you’ve ever done a meet and greet with a band, athlete, or at a convention, they always vary in mileage. Sometimes, you are literally corralled in groups, brought in one by one, get your photo snapped, and then ushered out within a second or two. Other times, you may have a minute to have your moment with the guest(s) before the photo is snapped and then you can say your thank you’s as you leave the area.
Sunday was definitely a memorable experience.
Each fan got to say hello to all three cast members, ask a question or two, get their photo snapped, and then have something signed if they brought anything. The pacing was just right - not too fast but not too slow either.
When it was my turn, I knew I wanted to get two photo poses if possible. The cast said sure, of course. While I know it was not an original idea by any means, it happened to be in Seattle as only one other fan had the same request (and he was after me in line). Photo evidence is below.
Overall, this was a fantastic way to celebrate the original film, the three cast members that impacted so many of our lives, and the wonderful genre of horror films (or found footage for you horror nerds out there).
There are four more stops on this tour - all on the east coast over Halloween weekend.
Highly Recommended!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Original Film Screening
Q&A with Michael C. Williams, Heather Donahue, and Joshua Leonard
October 11, 2025
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Seattle, WA
The 5th Avenue Theatre celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year. A staple of the Seattle arts scene, it was the perfect historical venue to host this monumental event. I’m very familiar with the room as I’m a credentialed reviewer of their plays and musicals each season at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
For every fandom, those that aren’t a part of it quite frankly don’t get it. They don’t understand the infatuation with any given subject matter - comics, science fiction, horror, cars, pets, etc. For this particular fandom, “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) is in a sub camp of the horror fandom. There are some who worship the film, the lore, and everything that comes with it. There are also folks that never liked it, have issues with it, and would rather geek out about something else in the horror genre.
Clearly, the fans in attendance Sunday evening would not be there if they didn’t fall into the former category. Granted, they may have brought a friend along that was new to the film, but by and large they were fans, myself (and my friend) included.
The evening started on time with the house lights dropping and the original film rolling. The Seattle crowd was hooting and hollering at times at the beginning, including laughter when appropriate. But, as the movie went along and intensified as it so expertly does, the theatre grew quiet.
By the time the finale kicked in, with the shrieks from Heather’s character in search of Mike’s character downstairs in the house, you could feel the anticipation from those in the know what was coming.
The infamous last scene played out which has become iconic in the horror world and then the credits rolled. There was loud applause from the appreciative audience coupled with a brief intermission before the question and answer session was set to begin.
The moderator came on stage and asked who was a first time viewer of the film? A fair amount of hands went up which was interesting to see. I don’t recall the moderator introducing himself but he very well may have (knowing my spotty memory). His name was Marco Collins I found out the next day, an established DJ and purveyor of the arts. Mr. Collins then introduced Michael C. Williams, Heather Donahue, and Joshua Leonard to the stage.
Sitting atop bar stools, Mr. Collins proceeded to ask questions of the actors that for the most part covered the gamut of fans in the audience. For the newbies and for the well established fans of the film. Some of the answers I had heard before but some of it was new to me - again a good mix.
The last portion of the Q&A was left to the fans to ask questions from either side of the auditorium (stage left and stage right). There was a really good mix of questions from the fans and equally wonderful responses from all three actors.
I honestly never thought I would get a bit emotional at a Q&A for “The Blair Witch Project” but there I was doing exactly that. Each actor, at different times during the session, really spoke from the heart, from their own experiences (good and bad), and that all too common artistic bond of struggling to get your art seen, heard, and accepted. Those honest answers from the cast really, for me, bonded them to the audience that much more. I could see myself in them and perhaps vice versa.
It is well documented about the ups and down the cast have gone through since this film was released back in 1999. I won’t go over the details here but I will say that many truths about the film industry have surfaced over the years in relation to this film. I will say that Michael, Heather, and Joshua were put on a rollercoaster that they were never fully prepared for (probably the understatement of the century).
The fandom, however, have embraced them, the film, and the other artists behind it. The Q&A reminded me a bit of when you come to terms with something decades down the line. You may not ever accept it but you’re in a place where you can be perhaps a bit more at peace with it. Such things as the unmistakable love from the fans, Heather learning that her character is a queer icon, and the overall positive impact the film has had on people all over the world is hopefully a healing part of the journey for all three actors.
There were still many fans waiting to ask questions when, unfortunately, the time ran out. Everyone applauded the actors for taking the time and then the event was over as the fans headed up the aisles.
For those that stayed for the meet and greet (paid or otherwise), we were brought to the front of the staging area to wait a few minutes. The backdrop and lights were set up for the professional photo opportunity and then each cast member came out to meet the fans.
Michael recognized me from the livestream interview we had done to promote the tour and said a pleasant hello. He even remembered my name!
If you’ve ever done a meet and greet with a band, athlete, or at a convention, they always vary in mileage. Sometimes, you are literally corralled in groups, brought in one by one, get your photo snapped, and then ushered out within a second or two. Other times, you may have a minute to have your moment with the guest(s) before the photo is snapped and then you can say your thank you’s as you leave the area.
Sunday was definitely a memorable experience.
Each fan got to say hello to all three cast members, ask a question or two, get their photo snapped, and then have something signed if they brought anything. The pacing was just right - not too fast but not too slow either.
When it was my turn, I knew I wanted to get two photo poses if possible. The cast said sure, of course. While I know it was not an original idea by any means, it happened to be in Seattle as only one other fan had the same request (and he was after me in line). Photo evidence is below.
Overall, this was a fantastic way to celebrate the original film, the three cast members that impacted so many of our lives, and the wonderful genre of horror films (or found footage for you horror nerds out there).
There are four more stops on this tour - all on the east coast over Halloween weekend.
Highly Recommended!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Livestream Video with Michael C. Williams from 9/14/26
Photo Pose Two
(Below are phone photos from the event)
TOUR DATES!
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