SEATTLE — Nearly a year after flooding shut down the Egyptian Theatre on Capitol Hill, the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) says it won’t return to operate the space.

SIFF confirmed it is ending its lease with Seattle Central College, which owns the 109-year-old building. The organization cited financial pressures and a changing arts landscape in Seattle as reasons for the decision.

The Egyptian has been closed since last fall, when water damage forced its doors shut for repairs. Since then, the future of the historic venue has remained uncertain.

In a statement, Seattle Central College said, “Seattle Central is proud to have supported SIFF’s presence at the Egyptian Theatre for over a decade. Our focus remains on how our facilities, including this space, can best support our

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