Berlin & Beyond Film Festival

North America's largest showcase of German-language films enters its 16th year, screening more than 20 films from Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Highlights include fest closing film 'If Not Us, Who' and thriller 'Sennentuntschi.' B&B opens Thursday with a screening of 'Almanya – Welcome to Germany' and a party to follow at the historic Castro Theatre. More info berlinbeyond.com.

Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival, now entering its 15th year, screens more than 40 films in two weeks, beginning Thursday at SF's Castro Theatre and making stops in Berkeley and San Jose before closing in Los Angeles on the 23rd. AFF Exec Director Michel Shehadeh spoke with SF360 earlier this week. More info and ticketing at arabfilmfestival.org.

Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival, now entering its 15th year, screens more than 40 films in two weeks, beginning Thursday at SF's Castro Theatre and making stops in Berkeley and San Jose before closing in Los Angeles on the 23rd. AFF Exec Director Michel Shehadeh spoke with SF360 earlier this week. More info and ticketing at arabfilmfestival.org.

Cary Grant: Definitive Star

Castro Theatre sets a whole week aside to celebrate the slick charms of the screen legend. Beginning on Wednesday, the institution will screen 14 of the star's films, from suspenseful actioneers 'North By Northwest' and 'Suspicion' to slap-happy comedies 'His Girl Friday' and 'I Was a Male War Bride'. The centerpiece of the retro is a new print of the beloved 'Bringing Up Baby,' also starring Katherine Hepburn. More info at castrotheatre.com.

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

The 31st San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, the world's largest showcase of Jewish film, opens at the Castro Theatre on Thursday with Israeli drama 'Mabul' (The Flood, nominated for six of Israel's 'Oscars'), and runs through August 8 at a number of Bay Area venues. An Opening Night bash follows at the Swedish American Hall. More info sfjff.org.

Silent Film Festival

The SF institution returns to the Castro Theatre with 18 rediscovered films and live musical accompaniment. Highlights include a collection of Disney's Laugh-O-Grams, a travelogue of an expedition to the Antarctic and a film once cited as "the single greatest masterwork in the history of cinema" by stately film journal Cahiers du Cinema. More info castrotheatre.com.

'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'

Viewers that may have missed the original run of Herzog's astounding 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' have three "last" chances to catch it in the luxurious, historic environs of the Castro Theatre. Screens in 3D. More at castrotheatre.com.

‘Playtime’

The 1967 nearly dialogue-free comedy ‘Playtime,’ which is the fourth feature and the most notably boldest piece from late French filmmaker-actor Jacques Tati, plays at Castro Theatre. More at castrotheatre.com.

Sidney Lumet Double Feature

Castro Theatre hosts a double feature of Oscar-nominated Sidney Lumet films, beginning with 1976’s ‘Network’ and following with 1957’s ’12 Angry Men.’ More castrotheatre.com.

The Castro Remembers Elizabeth Taylor 1932-2011

Castro Theatre pays tribute to the Dame Elizabeth Taylor with six days of benefit double features, beginning with 1958’s ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,’ in which Taylor performs alongside Paul Newman, and 1959’s ‘Suddenly, Last Summer,’ also featuring Katherine Hepburn. More at castrotheatre.com.

Elizabeth Taylor Tribute Maps Unusual Star Path

The Castro's Elizabeth Taylor retrospective brings the actress back to her most devoted fans. The first and last time I attended the now-defunct Taos Film Festival, it gave a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (who lived in the area), allowing me to spend an hour sitting about ten feet from one of the most famous movie stars ever. Arriving by wheelchair with a little dog on her lap, she was petite and attractive, though infirmity had taken its own toll on her figure. She was also funny, candid, unpretentious, occasionally ribald, passionately serious about her causes (especially AIDS research and education), and a little dotty—occasionally she'd drift off on some strange...

Elizabeth Taylor Tribute Maps Unusual Star Path

The Castro's Elizabeth Taylor retrospective brings the actress back to her most devoted fans. The first and last time I attended the now-defunct Taos Film Festival, it gave a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (who lived in the area), allowing me to spend an hour sitting about ten feet from one of the most famous movie stars ever. Arriving by wheelchair with a little dog on her lap, she was petite and attractive, though infirmity had taken its own toll on her figure. She was also funny, candid, unpretentious, occasionally ribald, passionately serious about her causes (especially AIDS research and education), and a little dotty—occasionally she'd drift off on some strange...

Frameline Announces Titles in 2011 Festival

Margaret Cho, transgender cinema are highlights of 2011 LGBT festival.

Frameline Announces Titles in 2011 Festival

Margaret Cho, transgender cinema are highlights of 2011 LGBT festival.

Frameline Announces Titles in 2011 Festival

Margaret Cho, transgender cinema are highlights of 2011 LGBT festival.

Coen Brothers Double Feature

Castro Theatre hosts a double feature of films by writers-directors Joel and Ethan Coen, beginning with 1987's ‘Raising Arizona’ and followed by 1998's ‘The Big Lebowski.’ More at castrotheatre.com.

Midnites for Maniacs

Castro Theatre celebrates Friday the 13th with Midnites for Maniacs, a late night triple feature including 1979's ‘Rock ‘N Roll High School,’ 1980's ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘Out of the Blue.’ The collection is curated and hosted by Jesse Hawthorne Ficks. More at castrotheatre.com.

The Unsinkable Joel Hodgson Floats New Show

Mystery Science Theater returns to the Castro in the form of ‘Cinematic Titanic.’ Fans rejoice.

The Unsinkable Joel Hodgson Floats New Show

Mystery Science Theater returns to the Castro in the form of ‘Cinematic Titanic.’ Fans rejoice.

The Unsinkable Joel Hodgson Floats New Show

Mystery Science Theater returns to the Castro in the form of ‘Cinematic Titanic.’ Fans rejoice.

SFIFF54 Closing Night

Castro Theatre hosts the final evening of SFIFF54, which features Mathieu Amalric’s ‘On Tour,’ a film that tells the story of a has-been French TV producer who stages his comeback with burlesque performers. A party follows at The Factory. More at fest11.sffs.org.

Tindersticks Fuel the Claire Denis Film Fire

A soundtrack staple in the Denis oeuvre, Tindersticks play their beautifully brooding music live to clips at SFIFF54.

Tindersticks Fuel the Claire Denis Film Fire

A soundtrack staple in the Denis oeuvre, Tindersticks play their beautifully brooding music live to clips at SFIFF54.

Tindersticks Fuel the Claire Denis Film Fire

A soundtrack staple in the Denis oeuvre, Tindersticks play their beautifully brooding music live to clips at SFIFF54.

Terence Stamp Honored with Owens Award

Terence Stamp has treated acting not as a job, but as a restless quest for new frontiers.

Terence Stamp Honored with Owens Award

Terence Stamp has treated acting not as a job, but as a restless quest for new frontiers.

Terence Stamp Honored with Owens Award

Terence Stamp has treated acting not as a job, but as a restless quest for new frontiers.

SFIFF54's 'Beginners' Brings Surprises

Mike Mills and Ewan McGregor lit up the Castro on San Francisco International's opening night.

SFIFF54's 'Beginners' Brings Surprises

Mike Mills and Ewan McGregor lit up the Castro on San Francisco International's opening night.

SFIFF54's 'Beginners' Brings Surprises

Mike Mills and Ewan McGregor lit up the Castro on San Francisco International's opening night.

Road to Hollywood Tour: ‘Elmer Gantry’

In celebration of the upcoming Turner Classic Movies Film Festival in Hollywood, Castro Theatre participates in the one-night nationwide Road to Hollywood Tour with a free screening of ‘Elmer Gantry.’ Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz and Academy Award winner Shirley Jones are present. Tickets are acquired through tcm.com/roadtohollywood. More at castrotheatre.com.

‘Bullitt’ and ‘Freebie and the Bean’ Double Feature

Castro Theatre hosts a double feature of cop films set in San Francisco, beginning with Peter Yates’ 1968 ‘Bullitt,’ which features Steve McQueen, and Richard Rush’s 1974 ‘Freebie and the Bean,’ featuring James Caan and Alan Arkin. More at castrotheatre.com.

Sing Along 'The Wizard of Oz'

The Sing Along ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ featuring an interactive experience with song and goody bags, plays for seven days at the Castro Theatre. Laurie Bushman, Joe Wicht and David Hawkins host. More at castrotheatre.com.

Disposable Film Festival

Created in 2007 by Eric Slatkin and Carlton Evans to celebrate possibilities of media we might consider "throwaway" (devices like cell phones and pocket cameras), the Disposable Film Festival has grown into a popular one-day event and year-round traveling showcase. This year, it debuts at the Castro Theatre. More at castrotheatre.com.

SF Int'l Asian American Film Festival

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival begins March 10 and runs for 11 days, celebrating Opening Night at the Castro Theatre with Andy De Emmony’s 2009 ‘West Is West,’ the sequel to the successful 1999 ‘East Is East.’ About 120 films will play at a variety of venues around San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. More at festival.asianamericanmedia.org.

'Exposed on Film'

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Castro Theatre present ‘Exposed on Film,’ a three-day series featuring films that explore the themes presented in the concurrent San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s exhibit, Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera Since 1870, including Warhol's 'The Nude Restaurant,' Antonioni's 'Blow Up' and David Lynch's 'Lost Highway.' More at castrotheatre.com and sfmoma.org.

'We Were Here'

Castro Theatre hosts seven days of ‘We Were Here,’ David Weissman's documentary examining the initial arrival of AIDS in San Francisco and its subsequent influence the community. Opening night features a VIP reception prior to and a Q&A with director David Weissman following the screening. More at castrotheatre.com.

Sketchfest: 'Idol Worship: An Evening with Cloris Leachman'

The Castro Theatre hosts as SF Sketchfest and Midnight Mass present Idol Worship: An Evening with Cloris Leachman, which will offers a screening of Mel Brooks’ ‘High Anxiety’ and drag queen music performances including exchanges with Cloris Leachman. More at castrotheatre.com.

SF Sketchfest: 'Airplane!' Tribute

The Castro Theatre hosts a tribute to ‘Airplane!’ in conjunction with the SF Sketchfest. Following the film is a Q&A with leading actor Robert Hays, screenwriter Jim Abrahams and directors David and Jerry Zucker. More at sfsketchfest.com.

Final Week of Noir City

The final week of Noir City plays at Castro Theatre. Two Film Noir features play nightly through January 30, ending with 1952’s ‘Angel Face’ and 1948’s ‘The Hunted.’ More at castrotheatre.com.

Noir City 9

Eddie Muller and Anita Monga bring 10 days of finely curated noir to the Castro Theatre, where it's promised "you'll find all kinds of crazy" in 24 films. We never doubted. The festival opens with 1947's ‘High Wall’ and 1940's ‘Stranger on the Third Floor.' More at castrotheatre.com and noircity.com.

Patrick Marks Takes a Green Eye to Noir

Notable Noir City enthusiast Patrick Marks, owner of the Green Arcade, offers thoughts on the genre as well as festival's 2011 selections.

Patrick Marks Takes a Green Eye to Noir

Notable Noir City enthusiast Patrick Marks, owner of the Green Arcade, offers thoughts on the genre as well as festival's 2011 selections.

Patrick Marks Takes a Green Eye to Noir

Notable Noir City enthusiast Patrick Marks, owner of the Green Arcade, offers thoughts on the genre as well as festival's 2011 selections.

German Gems Film Festival

Castro Theatre hosts the German Gems Film Festival, a three day event showcasing recent German features, shorts and documentaries. It begins on Friday with ‘Mahler On The Couch,' a feature directed by father and son team Percy and Felix Adlon, with an Opening Night after party following. More at castrotheatre.com.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

German Gems Program Shines

The German Gems series moves beyond Berlin in bringing attention to worthy new work out of Germany.

Hitchcock Double Features

The Castro Theatre hosts six days of double features from the unsurpassed master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. The series starts with two of the finest films from Hitchcock’s late British period, ‘The Lady Vanishes’ and ‘The 39 Steps.’ More at castrotheatre.com.

'Deathstalker' Muscles its Way Back to Big Screen

Sword, sandals and a sinister real-life epilogue: 'Deathstalker' earns top billing in a Midnite for Maniacs evening at the Castro. As one of 1982's bigger box-office hits, Conan the Barbarian accomplished two things. First, it finally made a movie star out of thick-bodied, thicker-accented Arnold Schwarzenegger after several failed attempts. Second, it spawned a legion of cheaper imitations cashing in on the early 1980s' seemingly bottomless need for films to fill cable airtime and video rental shelves. (Remember, until that time there the only commercial outlets for movies were theatrical release and network TV—so these were entirely...

'Deathstalker' Muscles its Way Back to Big Screen

Sword, sandals and a sinister real-life epilogue: 'Deathstalker' earns top billing in a Midnite for Maniacs evening at the Castro. As one of 1982's bigger box-office hits, Conan the Barbarian accomplished two things. First, it finally made a movie star out of thick-bodied, thicker-accented Arnold Schwarzenegger after several failed attempts. Second, it spawned a legion of cheaper imitations cashing in on the early 1980s' seemingly bottomless need for films to fill cable airtime and video rental shelves. (Remember, until that time there the only commercial outlets for movies were theatrical release and network TV—so these were entirely...

SFFS Special Presentation: Sir Arne’s Treasure with the Mountain Goats in Solo Performance

San Francisco Film Society presents the world premiere of John Darnielle’s score to Mauritz Stiller’s silent masterpiece ‘Sir Arne’s Treasure.’ The celebrated singer-songwriter plays live at the Castro Theatre to accompany the film. More at sffs.org.

SFFS Special Presentation: Sir Arne’s Treasure with the Mountain Goats in Solo Performance

San Francisco Film Society presents the world premiere of John Darnielle’s score to Mauritz Stiller’s silent masterpiece ‘Sir Arne’s Treasure.’ The celebrated singer-songwriter plays live at the Castro Theatre to accompany the film. More at sffs.org.

Fellini Double Feature

Federico Fellini made a name for himself with 1954’s ‘La Strada,’ which centers on the adventures of a young girl sold into the circus, and he capitalized, emboldened and underlined that name with 1969’s ‘Satyricon,’ his audacious take on Petronius Arbiter’s fragmented first-century Roman satire. More at castrotheatre.com.

'The Sound of Music' Offers Simpler Times, Strange Complications

'The Sound of Music' stretches its music empire into a new century with popular sing-alongs and a new home-entertainment release. When we look back at the 1960s, the phenomenon that was—and still somewhat is—The Sound of Music seems like an anomaly. But at the time it was more like the solid rock of reassuring constancy that masses clung to as waters of bewildering change rose all around them, a three-hour oasis of clean living and cheerful melody that wouldn't go away—no matter how many antiwar protesting, unisex...

'The Sound of Music' Offers Simpler Times, Strange Complications

'The Sound of Music' stretches its music empire into a new century with popular sing-alongs and a new home-entertainment release. When we look back at the 1960s, the phenomenon that was—and still somewhat is—The Sound of Music seems like an anomaly. But at the time it was more like the solid rock of reassuring constancy that masses clung to as waters of bewildering change rose all around them, a three-hour oasis of clean living and cheerful melody that wouldn't go away—no matter how many antiwar protesting, unisex...

'The Sound of Music' Offers Simpler Times, Strange Complications

'The Sound of Music' stretches its music empire into a new century with popular sing-alongs and a new home-entertainment release. When we look back at the 1960s, the phenomenon that was—and still somewhat is—The Sound of Music seems like an anomaly. But at the time it was more like the solid rock of reassuring constancy that masses clung to as waters of bewildering change rose all around them, a three-hour oasis of clean living and cheerful melody that wouldn't go away—no matter how many antiwar protesting, unisex...

'The Sound of Music' Offers Simpler Times, Strange Complications

'The Sound of Music' stretches its music empire into a new century with popular sing-alongs and a new home-entertainment release. When we look back at the 1960s, the phenomenon that was—and still somewhat is—The Sound of Music seems like an anomaly. But at the time it was more like the solid rock of reassuring constancy that masses clung to as waters of bewildering change rose all around them, a three-hour oasis of clean living and cheerful melody that wouldn't go away—no matter how many antiwar protesting, unisex...

‘Poltergeist’ with JoBeth Williams in Person

Marc Huestis presents the '80s horror classic at the Castro Theatre with a tribute to star JoBeth Williams preceding the screening. This special event includes (of course) a live performance, and it's titled ‘Poltergayest, A Horrific Fashion Show.’ An autograph signing concludes the night’s otherworldly celebration. More at castrotheatre.com.

Berlin & Beyond Film Festival

The Berlin & Beyond Film Festival returns to the Castro with its collection of contemporary cinema from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. ‘Die Fremde’ is the centerpiece film (and Germany’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards) about a young woman living in Istanbul who, along with her son, decides to leave her abusive husband and reunite with her family in Berlin. More at berlinbeyond.com.

Montgomery Clift Double Feature

Montgomery Clift's birthday brings two of his most revered performances to the Castro screen: Fred Zinnemann’s ‘From Here to Eternity,’ and Elia Kazan’s ‘Wild River.’

Arab Film Festival

Lyes Salem’s dark comedy ‘Masquerades’ opens the Arab Film Festival at the Castro; it tells the story of Mounir, a young Algerian misfit who informs the whole town his narcoleptic sister Nim is engaged to a handsome, wealthy foreigner. The festival runs October 14–24. More at arabfilmfestival.org.

'Fruit Fly' Director and Cast in Person

H.P. Mendoza (Colma: The Musical) has redirected his interests from the Peninsula to San Francisco with his latest, and we couldn't be happier: The cast from Fruit Fly, about a Filipina woman who arrives in the city and moves into a Mission District Artists’ commune, will be on stage for a Q & A at the Castro Theatre on Wednesday, August 11, at 8:30 p.m.

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival Speaks Volumes

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival offers its now expected collection of rare finds, live music and early film amazements

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival Speaks Volumes

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival offers its now expected collection of rare finds, live music and early film amazements

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival Speaks Volumes

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival offers its now expected collection of rare finds, live music and early film amazements

SFIFF53 Reports: Divine Madness at 'All About Evil' Premiere

Judging from Saturday night s festivities, half the capacity Castro Theatre audience had worked on or otherwise invested in Joshua Grannell a.k.a. Peaches Christ s debut feature.

Darkness Of Noir City On Castro Screen

In late January, many tune their radar to the snowy, showy glare of Sundance. With Noir City here, the stay-at-homes are the luckier ones.

Darkness Of Noir City On Castro Screen

In late January, many tune their radar to the snowy, showy glare of Sundance. With Noir City here, the stay-at-homes are the luckier ones.

David Thomson Revisits 'Psycho's' Critical Moment

David Thomson's new book commemorates the golden anniversary of Hitchcock's "Psycho."

Feast Your Eyes: A Holiday Film Preview

Dennis Harvey weighs in on the upcoming films of the holiday season.

How Scary Cow co-op is making indie filmmaking in SF a little less frightening

Jager McConnell speaks about Scary Cow, a filmmakers' co-op that offers experience, people, money and equipment to aspiring filmmakers with ideas to burn.

Anita Monga and the SF Silent Film Festival

During her tenure at the venerable Castro Theatre, film programmer Anita Monga made her mark shepherding the venue to international prominence.

Anita Monga and the SF Silent Film Festival

During her tenure at the venerable Castro Theatre, film programmer Anita Monga made her mark shepherding the venue to international prominence.

'The Greatest Year in Film' at the Castro

A series at the Castro marks 1939 as the high-water mark of cinema.

'The Greatest Year in Film' at the Castro

A series at the Castro marks 1939 as the high-water mark of cinema.

Frameline33: Youth in Revolt

In this year's Frameline Fest, as so often in life, it's all about the one(s) that got away.

Bruce Goldstein: From NY to SF to 'Con'

Bruce Goldstein recalls his adventures in film land as he prepares to host the Con Film Festival at the Film Forum in New York.

SFIFF52 Blogs: Keeping Scores

Marc Capelle's ode to Westerns and Buddy films as well as noteworthy festival scores.

SFIFF52 Blogs: Keeping Scores

Marc Capelle's ode to Westerns and Buddy films as well as noteworthy festival scores.

SFIFF52 Blogs: Dinosaurs, Disease, and Delirium

The Lost World, the 1925 silent fantasy

SFIFF52 Blogs: Dinosaurs, Disease, and Delirium

The Lost World, the 1925 silent fantasy

SFIFF52 Blogs: Coppola & Lucas at the Castro

An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola & Friends honored Coppola with the Founder Directing Award and included a moderated discussion with editing/sound design genius Walter Murch, director Carroll Ballard, scenarist-turned-director Matthew Robbins, and George Lucas.

SFIFF52 Blogs: Coppola & Lucas at the Castro

An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola & Friends honored Coppola with the Founder Directing Award and included a moderated discussion with editing/sound design genius Walter Murch, director Carroll Ballard, scenarist-turned-director Matthew Robbins, and George Lucas.

SFIFF52: Robert Redford Accepts Owens Award

Robert Redford braves the public and accepts the San Francisco International Film Festival's Peter J. Owens Award.

SFIFF52: Peter Bratt's "La Mission"

Peter Bratt's La Mission focuses on conflict within a family and a neighborhood, exploring what happens when a single father named Che learns a secret about his son that tests his love for his family and his community's love for him.

SF International Film Festival Lineup

The two weeks of programs offers 151 films from 55 countries, awards and prices, and a wide array of San Francisco talent, from legendary names to the fledgling artists.

Bud Cort Honored at Sketchfest

SF Sketchfest pays tribute to Bud Cort with a live Q&A and screening of Harold and Maude.

Eddie Muller and Noir City

SF360.org spoke with Eddie Muller, who launched Noir City, an annual noir festival that has attracted an avid following in the Bay Area and beyond.

Wim Wenders: Berlin & Beyond

Wenders, one of the stellar directors of "New German Cinema," is this year's honoree at the 14th annual Berlin & Beyond festival.

Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black on 'Milk'

Michael Fox chats with Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black on the eve of Milk's much-anticipated theatrical release.

The Mystical and Everyday in 'A Listener's Tale'

A Listener's Tale is a lovely if unclassifiable mixture of ethnography and poetic reverie which screened at last winter's Rotterdam Film Festival.

Frameline's 32nd SFLGBT Festival Program

The historic Castro Theatre, its marquee recently revamped for the Milk biopic shoot, hosted Frameline's announcement of its 2008 festival.

SFIFF51: The Miller Brothers on writing, pitching, acting, directing, and hitting one out of the ballpark

Touching Home by Bay Area-raised identical twins Logan and Noah Miller is a largely autobiographical coming-of-age film that radiates sincerity.

"A Genuine Tribute to Peter Bogdanovich"

"A Genuine Tribute to Peter Bogdanovich" is a major coup for Jesse Hawthorne Ficks, after all these years later, he's ready for a retrospective of his own.

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks's Midnight Movie Empire

Midnites for Maniacs unearths populist yet esoteric genre and exploitation flicks that have mostly disappeared into the netherworld of discarded VHS rental tapes.

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks's Midnight Movie Empire

Midnites for Maniacs unearths populist yet esoteric genre and exploitation flicks that have mostly disappeared into the netherworld of discarded VHS rental tapes.

S.F. Silent Film Festival“s Third Annual Winter Event

The List: A commentary-filled list of the lineup at the silent film festival, which consists of three separate programs and an evening mixer with live music.

S.F. Silent Film Festival“s Third Annual Winter Event

The List: A commentary-filled list of the lineup at the silent film festival, which consists of three separate programs and an evening mixer with live music.

Second S.F. International Animation Festival

The S.F. International Animation Festival experienced a major bounce, with a number of sold-out shows in its venue at the Embarcadero Center Cinema.

The 11th Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival, now in its 11th year, is featuring not just 80 movies from 13 countries, but is also including screenings in LA, a first for a Bay Area-based fest.

Bruce Fletcher, Dead Channels and the Living

Fletcher explains what will hopefully be an annual event that encompasses all kinds of worldwide cult-skewing fun.

A Mighty Wurlitzer Player

SF360.org speaks with Edward Millington Stout, III, who is undoubtedly the world's foremost theatrical organ restorationist.

A Mighty Wurlitzer Player

SF360.org speaks with Edward Millington Stout, III, who is undoubtedly the world's foremost theatrical organ restorationist.

Marc Huestis on the Runway

SF360.org talks to Marc Huestis, who exhibits a playful flair to his showmanship, putting the "imp" back in impresario.

Fabulous Fashion in Film

Elegant screen sartorial highs and garishly campy lows alike will be well-represented in an eight-day series on fashion at the Castro.

In the ring with Jewish boxers at SFJFF

The List: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is showing five great films that showcase the moxie and smart fighting style of Jewish boxers, both old and new.

Andrea Sperling, powering up

Sperling's Itty Bitty Titty Committee closes the SF International LGBT Film Festival, at which Sperling—17 films strong—receives the Frameline Award.

Frameline Announces 31st Program

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival lineup includes several world premieres and international features from Korea, Argentina, and Cuba.

Frameline Announces 31st Program

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival lineup includes several world premieres and international features from Korea, Argentina, and Cuba.

The Critics and Antonioni

A look at critics' responses to Antonioni through the ages shows there is, and always was, plenty to say about his work.

Noir City5, Fun with Dicks and Janes

A preview of the festival's rich program with festival's organizer Eddie Muller

Indiefest Lineup Announcement

SF IndieFest's founder/director Jeff Ross announced the ninth edition of the Bay Area's indie showcase festival

Indiefest Lineup Announcement

SF IndieFest's founder/director Jeff Ross announced the ninth edition of the Bay Area's indie showcase festival

Berlin & Beyond 2007

Rock&Roll, romantic comedy, fantasy and adventure, among the themes of this year's festival.

Teshigahara at The Castro

Filmmaking was just one among many creative outlets for Japanese multimedia artist Hiroshi Teshigahara.

Mary Badham, On a "Mockingbird" Mission

I was six months old when I went to my first movie — and I swear I remember images from it. You see, I sometimes have flashes of shots from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but all of them are upside-down. My mother tells me that I saw the film from a bassinette on the theater seat — thus began my life-long love affair with the film. I grew up in Alabama, which is also the setting of the book and the film. Every year, one of the three television stations we received would show “To Kill a Mockingbird.” My mom would gather the whole family in front of the TV, and we would watch the film — again. One year, it was opposite the Super Bowl. Now, the two things you don’t mess around with in the South are religion and football. But despite my brothers’ pleas, Atticus Finch took precedence over the Super Bowl at our house.

What is it about this film that — even today — inspires such devotion? Mary Badham, who played the memorable tomboy, Scout, believes as long as racism, bigotry, and intolerance exist, the film and the book provide a starting point for discussion and self-examination. Hence her own dedication to a film that has remained a driving part of her life for over 40 years — a dedication which prompted her to travel the world with the film sharing her experiences while making the film, growing up in the South, and fighting to spread the film’s message of tolerance and compassion. Badham visits San Francisco with the Marc Huestis program “In Praise of Mockingbirds,” Sun/19 at the Castro. I got a chance to speak with her last week.

SF360: Despite the fact that you never acted before, why do you think the filmmakers cast you as Scout?

Mary Badham: I think because I was a tomboy. The coloring was right. I looked like I could have been Gregory Peck’s daughter. I had a real big imagination as a kid — which they were looking for. The haircut was right. Everything they were lookin’ for just kind of jelled in me. They wanted kids who were real Southern children who were very natural and not actors.

SF360: When I watch the film, I’m struck by how natural you seem with Phillip Alford (who plays Scout’s brother Jem) and John Megna (Dill). It feels like we’re watching a real brother and sister.

Badham: Yes, they would let that happen on the set naturally because here were John and Phillip, and John just idolized Phillip and followed him around like a puppy dog. And here was this ratty little girl who wanted to get in the middle of whatever they were doing. You know, I just wanted somebody else to play with. And so, evidently we would have these big fights — I don’t remember any of it, but Phillip seems to think we fought all the time.

SF360: Phillip says he tried to kill you by rolling you in the tire toward a truck.

Badham: (Laughing.) Yeah, when it came to the tire scene they were so excited because ‘Oh, finally we can get rid of this menace.’ They thought they were going to do away with me. Too bad, so sad.

SF360: It’s seems like many women, including myself, see themselves in Scout. Why do you think the character is so memorable to women and girls?

Badham: I think because she was allowed to just be herself. Even Miss Dubose fussed at Atticus because he allowed her to wear the clothes that her brother had outgrown. But it was the Depression, a dress at that point would have been very expensive and money was in tight supply. And the fact that she was so educated. Atticus let her read and had real conversations with her. That’s the main role of a parent — to engage their children in conversation and teach them basically how to function in an adult world. Scout took to that tooth and nail. She wasn’t cut in the same mold as the little proper Southern young lady who had to wear dresses and not discuss anything important. It was that way even when I was growing up. Women were to be seen but not heard. They were not engaged intellectually much. So for Scout to be able to put her ideas out there, to see her think through situations is really important because you don’t see that very often. Most children when they would ask a question — I see it today with parents working and being tight on time — parents will be short with their kids… not wanting to engage the kids in conversation because they’re tired and they don’t have time. But that’s so critically important. I think that’s what we see with Atticus. He does engage his children in conversation, and he does try and let them think through situations and expand on them.

SF360: And that’s especially true in this film wi