Griffiths, an award-winning independent filmmaker based in Seattle, has built a successful career in both film and television. Her work has premiered at Sundance, South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Toronto International Film Festival, and includes notable films such as “Eden,” “Lucky Them,” “Sadie,” “I’ll Show You Mine” and the upcoming “Year of the Fox”. She has directed features starring talent such as Toni Collette, Beau Bridges, Oliver Platt, Melanie Lynskey, Lou Diamond Phillips and Tony Hale.

She has also directed episodes for series including HBO’s “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” and “Room 104,” Amazon’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Fox’s “Prodigal Son,” Netflix’s “The Society” and “Panic” and TNT’s “Animal Kingdom” among others.

“Griffiths has long been a supporter of filmmaking in the Pacific Northwest,” said Russell Meeuf, director of the Film and Television Studies program. “We are excited to bring her back to our campus to celebrate her work.”

Created in celebration of KINO’s 25th year, the Trailblazer Award honors individuals with Pacific Northwest roots who have made significant contributions to film and media in the region. Griffiths grew up in Idaho, attended Moscow High School and studied visual communications at U of I.

“The years I spent in Moscow — working at TR Video, going to the Micro Moviehouse and taking classes from Anna Banks and others — shaped my perspective on media and set me up to pursue my career in film and television with a thoughtful eye to what I’m adding to the cultural conversation,” Griffiths said. “It feels quite poignant to have my work recognized by my hometown, particularly since it’s happening at the Kenworthy, a cinema where I had so many formative moviegoing moments.”

The festival will feature a screening of Griffiths’ work at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, followed by an audience Q&A. Griffiths will also lead a masterclass in directing for film and television at the U of I Education Building in room 443.

“It is exciting for students to have an opportunity to learn from an alum who was once in their shoes — a Vandal student filmmaker trying to start a career — and who has carved out an impressive space for herself in the industry,” said Kyle Howerton, professor and KINO Festival manager. “It’s not easy being a working director and I’m excited for students to try to follow in her footsteps.”

Griffiths’ visit is supported in part by the Jama Sebald Feminist Visionaries Fund, with additional support from U of I’s College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences.

The KINO Festival will also feature the red-carpet premiere of “Snail Hunters” at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26. This hour-long documentary follows three U of I researchers on an expedition to the Galápagos Islands, where they study native snails to uncover insights into evolution and biodiversity. Director Jim Aikman will join the researchers for a post-screening Q&A.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit kinofilmfest.org.