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Deadlines
Funding: Catapult Film Fund
Nov 7, 2011Catapult Film Fund provides early development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell. It supports powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives. ELIGIBILITY: Applicant must be 18 or older. Catapult Film Fund does not award grants for student films. Documentary projects must be 28 minutes or longer. Development funds must specifically be used to complete early writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place. Applicants must be independent producers. They must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control of their project. Applicants must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role as demonstrated by submitting previously completed work sample. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have successfully fund-raised for an independent documentary film, in line with its original budget. AWARDS: Catapult Film Fund development grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. DEADLINE: November 7, 2011. WEBSITE: catapultfilmfund.org/.
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Home
Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light
Michael Fox
Oct 19, 2011Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.
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In Depth
Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light
Michael Fox
Oct 19, 2011Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.
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November 3, 2011
Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light
Michael Fox
Oct 19, 2011Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.
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October 20, 2011
Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light
Michael Fox
Oct 19, 2011Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.
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Home
On Chronicling Criminals
George Rush
Sep 27, 2011Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.
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Legal
On Chronicling Criminals
George Rush
Sep 27, 2011Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.
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September 29 2011
On Chronicling Criminals
George Rush
Sep 27, 2011Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.
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Events
'A Sixth Part of the World'
Sep 21, 2011Dziga Vertov completed the epic documentary 'A Sixth Part of the World' after his ejection from the Cold War-era Soviet documentary film unit Sovkino. The breathtaking and broad-reaching doc, praised by revered experimentalist Chris Marker, screens Wednesday as part of PFA's annual avant-garde film program Alternative Visions. More info at bampfa.berkeley.edu.
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September 20, 2011
'A Sixth Part of the World'
Sep 21, 2011Dziga Vertov completed the epic documentary 'A Sixth Part of the World' after his ejection from the Cold War-era Soviet documentary film unit Sovkino. The breathtaking and broad-reaching doc, praised by revered experimentalist Chris Marker, screens Wednesday as part of PFA's annual avant-garde film program Alternative Visions. More info at bampfa.berkeley.edu.
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News & Blogs
SFFS Announces Winners of Documentary Film Fund Awards
Sep 21, 2011Press release: The San Francisco Film Society today announced the three winners of the inaugural SFFS Documentary Film Fund grants. The Fund was created to support the postproduction of singular feature-length nonfiction film work that is distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. Each year from 2011 to 2013, a total of $100,000 will be disbursed to further new work by documentary filmmakers nationwide. Winners are: Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, An American Promise, $25,000; Priya Desai and Ann Kim, Match +, $25,000; Zachary Heinzerling, Cutie & the Boxe, $50,000. For more information go to: sffs.org/filmmaker-services.
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August 18, 2011
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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Home
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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Story Structure
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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August 4, 2011
Minott Tracks ‘Illness’ to Guam
Michael Fox
Aug 3, 2011Berry Minott's work-in-progress travels to Guam seeking a cure, puzzling over scientific mystery.
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Home
Minott Tracks ‘Illness’ to Guam
Michael Fox
Aug 3, 2011Berry Minott's work-in-progress travels to Guam seeking a cure, puzzling over scientific mystery.
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In Production
Minott Tracks ‘Illness’ to Guam
Michael Fox
Aug 3, 2011Berry Minott's work-in-progress travels to Guam seeking a cure, puzzling over scientific mystery.
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August 4, 2011
Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience
Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.
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Home
Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience
Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.
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Q & A
Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience
Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.
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Home
Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’
Michael Fox
Jul 28, 2011The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.
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In Depth
Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’
Michael Fox
Jul 28, 2011The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.
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July 28, 2011
Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’
Michael Fox
Jul 28, 2011The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.
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Festivals
Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs
Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.
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Home
Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs
Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.
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July 7, 2011
Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs
Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.
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First Person
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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Home
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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June 9, 2011
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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Home
Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’
Michael Fox
May 24, 2011S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.
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In Production
Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’
Michael Fox
May 24, 2011S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.
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May 26, 2011
Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’
Michael Fox
May 24, 2011S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.
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News & Blogs
San Francisco Film Society Announces New $300,000 Documentary Film Fund
Apr 22, 2011Press Release: The San Francisco Film Society announced the new SFFS Documentary Film Fund, which over the next three years will disburse a series of annual grants totaling $300,000 to support feature-length documentaries in postproduction. The SFFS Documentary Film Fund is created to support singular nonfiction film work that is distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. The first grant cycle application period opens June 17; the first winners will be announced September 30. More at sffs.org.
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News & Blogs
indieWIRE: "'Restrepo' Filmmaker Tim Hetherington Killed in Libya"
Apr 20, 2011Reports Peter Knegt: "Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington has been killed in Libya, it is being reported by Vanity Fair (where Hetherington worked as a contributing photographer)." More at indieWIRE.com.
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April 14, 2011
The Art of the Steal
George Rush
Apr 12, 2011Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.
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Home
The Art of the Steal
George Rush
Apr 12, 2011Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.
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Legal
The Art of the Steal
George Rush
Apr 12, 2011Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.
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April 5, 2011
Fearless: Independent Chinese Documentaries
Apr 7, 2011Yerba Buena Center for the Arts hosts and dGenerate Films and Fandor present ‘Fearless: Independent Chinese Documentaries,’ which features six independent Chinese political docs; continuing this week with 'Tape' (April 7), 'Ghost Town' (April 10) and '1428' (pictured, April 14). More at ybca.org.
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March 22, 2011
First Person Rural: The New Nonfiction
Mar 26, 2011Lisandro Alonso’s 2001 ‘La Libertad’ is the first film in Pacific Film Archive’s First Person Rural: The New Nonfiction series, which presents works that utilize documentary filmmaking techniques in fictional storytelling. More at bampfa.berkeley.edu.
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First Person
Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms
Erica Marcus
Mar 22, 2011The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.
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Home
Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms
Erica Marcus
Mar 22, 2011The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.
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March 24, 2011
Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms
Erica Marcus
Mar 22, 2011The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.
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Home
Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts
Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.
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In Production
Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts
Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.
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March 17, 2011
Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts
Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.
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Home
Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism
Karen Everett
Mar 15, 2011A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.
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March 17, 2011
Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism
Karen Everett
Mar 15, 2011A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.
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Story Structure
Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism
Karen Everett
Mar 15, 2011A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.
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News & Blogs
Ro*co Films Lands Educational Distribution of Jennifer Siebel Newsom's 'Miss Representation'
Feb 11, 2011Press Release: Bay Area-based ro*co films announced that they will be distributing Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s documentary film, 'Miss Representation' in the North American educational market. ro*co will distribute the film to academic institutions, universities, and libraries for both classroom use and educational screenings. More at rocofilms.com.
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News & Blogs
indieWIRE: "OWN Buys Another Sundance Title for the Doc Club"
Jan 31, 2011Reports indieWIRE: "Oprah Winfrey Network has added another member to its Documentary Film Club with Yoav Potash’s “Crime After Crime,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Documentary Competition." More at indiewire.com.
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News & Blogs
Ford Foundation: $50 Million Fund Launched for Next Generation of Documentary Filmmakers
Jan 19, 2011Press release: "...The new initiative, called JustFilms, will invest $10 million a year over the next five years to support and expand the community of filmmakers and mediamakers around the world focused on creating documentaries with passion and purpose, but who often lack funding to realize their visions or reach audiences." More at fordfoundation.org.
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December 21, 2010
'Boxing Gym'
Dec 27, 2010While 'The Fighter' and 'Black Swan' duke it out at the multiplex, the Roxie offers its own take on male and female athletes via Frederick Wiseman's 'Boxing Gym.' Unexpected views of the American institution emerge in Wiseman's look at Lord's Gym in Austin, Texas. A master of his craft, Wiseman brings out the sport's hypnotic beauty without the aid of narration or interviews. More at roxie.com.
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December 28, 2010
Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area
Susan Gerhard
Dec 24, 2010The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.
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Home
Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area
Susan Gerhard
Dec 24, 2010The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.
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January 6, 2010
Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area
Susan Gerhard
Dec 24, 2010The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.
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Reviews
Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area
Susan Gerhard
Dec 24, 2010The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.
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December 16, 2010
'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost
Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.
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Home
'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost
Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.
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Q & A
'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost
Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.
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December 9, 2010
Stanford's MFA Doc Program Teaches Cardinal Rules, and How to Break Them
Sara Dosa
Dec 9, 2010A night with Stanford’s Doc Film MFAs offers insight into a storied program.
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Home
Stanford's MFA Doc Program Teaches Cardinal Rules, and How to Break Them
Sara Dosa
Dec 9, 2010A night with Stanford’s Doc Film MFAs offers insight into a storied program.
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Reviews
Stanford's MFA Doc Program Teaches Cardinal Rules, and How to Break Them
Sara Dosa
Dec 9, 2010A night with Stanford’s Doc Film MFAs offers insight into a storied program.
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December 9, 2010
Lukitsch Pedals into the ‘Gap’
Michael Fox
Dec 8, 2010Laura Lukitsch's new project asks whether we can replace car culture with biking, public transportation and high-speed rail.
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Home
Lukitsch Pedals into the ‘Gap’
Michael Fox
Dec 8, 2010Laura Lukitsch's new project asks whether we can replace car culture with biking, public transportation and high-speed rail.
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In Production
Lukitsch Pedals into the ‘Gap’
Michael Fox
Dec 8, 2010Laura Lukitsch's new project asks whether we can replace car culture with biking, public transportation and high-speed rail.
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Home
Essential SF: Les Blank
Michael Fox
Nov 6, 2010Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.
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In Depth
Essential SF: Les Blank
Michael Fox
Nov 6, 2010Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.
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November 11, 2010
Essential SF: Les Blank
Michael Fox
Nov 6, 2010Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.
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November 3 2010
Essential SF: Les Blank
Michael Fox
Nov 6, 2010Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.
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Festivals
SF Docfest Still Stranger than Fiction
Matt Sussman
Oct 15, 2010A critic offers not-to-be-missed entries in the ninth annual SF Docfest.
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Home
SF Docfest Still Stranger than Fiction
Matt Sussman
Oct 15, 2010A critic offers not-to-be-missed entries in the ninth annual SF Docfest.
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October 21, 2010
SF Docfest Still Stranger than Fiction
Matt Sussman
Oct 15, 2010A critic offers not-to-be-missed entries in the ninth annual SF Docfest.
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Home
Lixin Fan's 'Train' Arrives
Michael Fox
Sep 20, 2010The creator of award-winning documentary 'Last Train Home' speaks about the new China.
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Q & A
Lixin Fan's 'Train' Arrives
Michael Fox
Sep 20, 2010The creator of award-winning documentary 'Last Train Home' speaks about the new China.
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September 23, 2010
Lixin Fan's 'Train' Arrives
Michael Fox
Sep 20, 2010The creator of award-winning documentary 'Last Train Home' speaks about the new China.
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Home
Crafting Motifs in Documentary Films
Karen Everett
Jul 6, 2010Choosing and implementing the right motif can help convey a narrative documentary's theme.
Now…what exactly is a motif? And why would you want to edit one into a documentary film?
During one of my recent group coaching calls, we addressed these questions. . . .
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Home
Media Pulse: A Crude Interpretation of the Law
Jennifer Preissel
Jul 1, 2010Jennifer Preissel examines the film and the court case that could redefine a journalist’s protection under First Amendment rights.
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In Depth
Media Pulse: A Crude Interpretation of the Law
Jennifer Preissel
Jul 1, 2010Jennifer Preissel examines the film and the court case that could redefine a journalist’s protection under First Amendment rights.
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Festivals
Storylines of Silverdocs 2010
Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2010Storytelling took center stage at the U.S.'s pre-eminent documentary film festival, Silverdocs, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Home
Storylines of Silverdocs 2010
Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2010Storytelling took center stage at the U.S.'s pre-eminent documentary film festival, Silverdocs, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Q & A
On the Road with 'Joan,' Stern and Sundberg Talk Big Picture
Michael Fox
Jun 14, 2010The makers of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work speak about their latest, as well as the state of documentary filmmaking.
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News & Blogs
SF Chronicle: 'Stanford Scholars up for Student Oscar'
Jun 11, 2010Two graduate students at Stanford University have won an Academy Award for their latest documentary short, "Dreams Awake," about a campus custodian.
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Story Structure
Thinking Like a Screenwriter for your Documentary
Karen Everett
May 31, 2010Moving past genre distinctions may help some filmmakers find the best dramatic arc and the most powerful truths.
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Festivals
SFIFF53: Golden Gate Awards and Juried Prizes/Grants Announced
Susan Gerhard
May 5, 2010Cash prizes totaling nearly $300,000 for filmmakers highlighted the San Francisco International Film Festival s Golden Gate Awards Wednesday night.
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Festivals
SFIFF53: War Stories
Matt Sussman
May 5, 2010Films about our species enduring capacity to be inhumane toward its own are perennials at festivals, and will be so as long as wars are waged.
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Q & A
Behind the Music with 'Simonal'
Julia Barbosa
May 3, 2010The documentary Simonal: No One Knows How Tough it Was explores the polemic surrounding a man considered by many to be the greatest singer in Brazilian history.
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Q & A
'Utopia' in San Francisco
Susan Gerhard
Apr 18, 2010I found Sam Green deep in preparation, but he found time to walk me through the greatest dreams and worst nightmares of the 20th century.
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Reviews
'It Came from Kuchar,' 'La Mission' in Theatres
sf360
Apr 16, 2010Bay Area-made and Mission-inspired, Peter Bratt's La Mission joins Jennifer Kroot's wild and woolly It Came from Kuchar in Bay Area theaters this week.
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Story Structure
The Empathetic Storyteller
Karen Everett
Apr 6, 2010Beware of Save the Day My Way Syndrome. Now, learn from your mistakes.
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In Production
Riffe's Raw Milk Germ
Michael Fox
Mar 23, 2010There's so much about this product called milk that we think we know everything about, declares Jed Riffe with his usual blend of enthusiasm and amazement.
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Q & A
Karim Ahmad on ITVS's Forward-Thinking FUTURESTATES
Adam Hartzell
Mar 21, 2010Think of U.S. public television and science fiction or any type of fiction doesn't spring to mind. ITVS aims to change that perception with a series of mini-features.
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Q & A
Reed's Promise of Prodigal Sons
Michael Fox
Mar 3, 2010If Kimberly Reed took a not particularly unique path into filmmaking, she certainly took an interesting road out of it.
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In Production
Laotian Tourists Focus Murray's Camera
Michael Fox
Mar 2, 2010When Laos revised its visa structure to allow visitors to stay for more than one week, Westerners with digital cameras surged over the border.
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Q & A
Sid Ganis on Hollywood South and North
Michael Fox
Feb 28, 2010From his modest start as a staff writer at 20th Century Fox, Sid Ganis has built an uncommonly long and successful career in Hollywood.
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In Production
Cohen and Lipman's Recovering Friend in Forest
Michael Fox
Feb 23, 2010Injured in a crash on the Golden Gate Bridge, Dr. Grace Dammann spent 45 days in a coma and 13 months in the hospital.
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Story Structure
Best Length for Documentary Films
Karen Everett
Feb 9, 2010How long should your documentary be? If your audience begins to glaze over or feel restless, you've lost the opportunity to leave them wanting more.
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Reviews
The Greatest Finds of My Generation
Susan Gerhard
Jan 26, 2010The harsh glare of the spotlight that brought Howl mixed reviews from critics on opening night of Sundance had melted into a warm glow by Saturday.
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Reviews
Thoughts On the Aughts: Best/Worst Trends
Susan Gerard
Dec 31, 2009While the U.S. moved from rebuilding decimated skyscrapers to the rebuilding of an entire economy, film moved from the multiplex to the mailbox to the mobile.
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Reviews
Thoughts On the Aughts: Best/Worst Trends
Susan Gerard
Dec 31, 2009While the U.S. moved from rebuilding decimated skyscrapers to the rebuilding of an entire economy, film moved from the multiplex to the mailbox to the mobile.
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Q & A
Filmmakers Stuff 'Bag!' With Self-Distribution Dreams
Michael Fox
Dec 15, 2009Filmmakers Justine Jacob And Alex da Silva release the documentary Ready, Set, Bag!, which follows competitive grocery baggers from across the country.
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In Production
Legal Eagle Eye Kristine Enea Zooms 'Off the Grid'
Michael Fox
Dec 8, 2009Kristine Enea's documentary shows The EcoCenter, a San Francisco environmental educational facility that treats and recycles wastewater and generates its own solar power.
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In Production
Legal Eagle Eye Kristine Enea Zooms 'Off the Grid'
Michael Fox
Dec 8, 2009Kristine Enea's documentary shows The EcoCenter, a San Francisco environmental educational facility that treats and recycles wastewater and generates its own solar power.
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Reviews
Workin' It: 'La Danse" and "Everything Strange and New'
Michael Fox
Dec 4, 2009Frederick Wiseman documents the frantic routine of choreographers for the Paris Opera Ballet as Frazer Bradshaw gives a more familiar portrayal of workplace satisfaction.
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In Production
Antonelli's 'Crossing Over' and Cooke's Soulful Genius
Michael Fox
Dec 1, 2009Marin County filmmaker John Antonelli talks about his documentary on influential late singer-songwriter Sam Cooke for PBS's "American Masters" series.
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Reviews
Feast Your Eyes: A Holiday Film Preview
Dennis Harvey
Nov 25, 2009Dennis Harvey weighs in on the upcoming films of the holiday season.
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Documentary
The Upside of Downtime
Fernanda Rossi
Nov 24, 2009Ask the Documentary Doctor: The Doc examines patience in filmmaking.
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Reviews
Shamir's 'Defamation' a Vintage Documentary Dust-up
Michael Fox
Nov 19, 2009Reminiscent of Marcel Ophuls' fearless provocations in Hotel Terminus (1988), Yoav Shamir breaks every rule of polite documentary filmmaking in Defamation.
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Reviews
Shamir's 'Defamation' a Vintage Documentary Dust-up
Michael Fox
Nov 19, 2009Reminiscent of Marcel Ophuls' fearless provocations in Hotel Terminus (1988), Yoav Shamir breaks every rule of polite documentary filmmaking in Defamation.
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Reviews
Daven Gee Docs on the New American Family
Michael Fox
Nov 17, 2009Two films from Oakland filmmakers, Dhana & Indra and Family 2469, illuminate the changing face of the country as the 21st Century unfolds.
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Reviews
On the Road Before 'The Recess Ends'
Michael Fox
Nov 10, 2009Shot in depressed burgs and 'burbs across the country, this documentary looks at the U.S. at its lowest economic ebb in generations.
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Reviews
Heddy Honigmann and the Art of Interview
Max Goldberg
Oct 2, 2009With the Netherlands-based filmmaker's latest portrait in resilience, Oblivion, opening Friday, it's a good time to celebrate one of documentary's most engaging storytellers.
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Q & A
Roy Andersson on "You, the Living"
Erik Augustin Palm
Sep 25, 2009A study in contrasts, Everyman and intellectual, Roy Andersson speaks about his career and new film, You, the Living.
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In Production
Simon and Gosling Play Strachwitz's Tunes
Michael Fox
Sep 23, 2009Chris Simon and Maureen Gosling's documentary-in-progress, tentatively titled No Mouse Music! The Story of Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records, pays tribute to an underappreciated artist.
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Story Structure
Organizing your bins effectively
Karen Everett
Sep 22, 2009The Edit Room: Learning how to organize saves you time and money in the editing process; a walk-through just how to do it.
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Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival 2009
B. Ruby Rich
Sep 19, 2009The Toronto International Film Festival has always allowed a generosity of pursuits to co-exist, rewarding the adventurous and satiating the lazy, all without judgment.
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First Person
E-news You Can Use
Michael Fox
Sep 1, 2009The rapid adoption of e-newsletters by documentary filmmakers is the latest example of resourcefulness and efficiency among contemporary independents.
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In Production
Pete Nicks Impatient in 'Waiting Room'
Michael Fox
Aug 18, 2009East Bay documentary producer Pete Nicks places interactive storytelling booths in hospital waiting rooms.
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Reviews
'Why Isn't Chris von Sneidern Famous?'
Michael Fox
Jul 21, 2009A revealing portrait of veteran local singer-songwriter-guitarist with a cult following investigates existential questions about fame with respect, empathy and self-reflection.
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Q & A
Tom Shepard's 'Whiz Kids' Blinding with Science
Michael Fox
Jun 14, 2009Tom Shepard revisits the overachieving, hyper-ambitious world of science-obsessed high school seniors in his new film, Whiz Kids.
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Funding
"Just Make Them Love It"
Holly Million
Jun 8, 2009Make them love it. Make? Oh, words of dread! How do you MAKE somebody love your film?
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Documentary
When the Personal is Political
Fernanda Rossi
Jun 2, 2009Ask the Documentary Doctor: Where does the filmmaker stop existing to give way to the reporter/activist/responsible citizen with camera in hand?
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Reviews
SFIFF52 Blogs: Cataloguing California
Jennifer Preissel
May 4, 2009California Company Town, blends the sights and sounds of the state's economically depressed towns, industrial wastelands and failed utopian communities.
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Reviews
Film Society Awards: Ballard, Coppola, Redford and Toback
Susan Gerhard
May 1, 2009The San Francisco Film Society honored Francis Ford Coppola, Carroll Ballard, Robert Redford and James Toback. Coppola surprised the audience by turning over the Founder's Directing Award he received to longtime colleague Carroll Ballard.
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Reviews
SFIFF52 Blogs: Portillo's 'Al Más Allá'
David Winks Gray
Apr 29, 2009Lourdes Portillo's partly autobiographical documentary Al Más Allá draws a laugh from the San Francisco International Film Festival crowd.
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Festivals
SFIFF52: Robert Redford Accepts Owens Award
Dennis Harvey
Apr 29, 2009Robert Redford braves the public and accepts the San Francisco International Film Festival's Peter J. Owens Award.
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Reviews
SFIFF52 Blogs: Portillo's 'Al Más Allá'
David Winks Gray
Apr 29, 2009Lourdes Portillo's partly autobiographical documentary Al Más Allá draws a laugh from the San Francisco International Film Festival crowd.
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Reviews
SFIFF52: Jarmel and Schneider's "Speaking in Tongues"
Susan Gerhard
Apr 25, 2009Jarmel and Schneider's Speaking in Tongues follows the stories of four public school children studying Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish along with their English.
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Reviews
SFIFF52: Jarmel and Schneider's "Speaking in Tongues"
Susan Gerhard
Apr 25, 2009Jarmel and Schneider's Speaking in Tongues follows the stories of four public school children studying Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish along with their English.
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In Production
SFIFF52: New Narrative Trend for Bay Area Cinema
Michael Fox
Apr 21, 2009Four independent narratives - La Mission, My Suicide, Everything Strange and New and (Untitled) - are adding to the Bay Area's repertoire, historically regarded as a breeding ground for documentary filmmakers.
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Reviews
"Fans, Friends & Followers"—an excerpt
Scott Kirsner
Apr 8, 2009Fans, Friends & Followers, focuses on strategies artists can use to support their careers in the digital age.
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In Production
Kitchell on Another Hot Topic with Environmental Movement Doc
Michael Fox
Mar 24, 2009Mark Kitchell current project is an ambitious summation of the environmental movement, from the protests of the 1960s, the '70s focus on pollution, the Greenpeace campaigns and the global climate change.
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Festivals
SXSW: From the Producer's Chair
Holly Million
Mar 17, 2009Holly Million reviews some of the documentaries shown at this year's festival: It Came >From Kuchar, MIne and Motherland.
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In Production
Leban and Szajko's Gay Marriage Doc
Michael Fox
Feb 18, 2009The tentatively titled Winter of Love uses Prop. 8 as a framework for a look at the increasing acceptance of gay marriage.
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In Production
Ellen Lake's Miniatures Fit Right In
Michael Fox
Feb 11, 2009When we're finally all watching movies on the most expedient of platforms–our mobile phone–Ellen Lake will be at the head of the parade.
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Documentary
Growing a Good Story, Naturally
Fernanda Rossi
Feb 6, 2009Ask the Documentary Doctor: If my doc doesn't follow a fiction three-act model, will it fail in the market?
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Documentary
Growing a Good Story, Naturally
Fernanda Rossi
Feb 6, 2009Ask the Documentary Doctor: If my doc doesn't follow a fiction three-act model, will it fail in the market?
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News & Blogs
Remembering Ave Montague
Tim Etheridge
Jan 31, 2009On January 24 the San Francisco film and arts community lost Ave Montague, who was well known for her hard work, creativity and passion for the arts.
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Reviews
Sundance '09: Award-Winners, Bloggers, and More
Susan Gerhard
Jan 26, 2009Susie Gerhard gives an overview of a festival moving back to the basics of art-making.
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First Person
Funder as Supplicant
John R. Killacky
Jan 20, 2009First-Person: A program officer at the San Francisco Foundation has a sobering experience making a documentary.
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In Production
'Tongues' Cracks the Language Barrier
Michael Fox
Jan 13, 2009The forthcoming film Speaking in Tongues follows four diverse local public-school students enrolled in language-immersion programs.
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Q & A
Wendy Levy on the Politics of Participation
Susan Gerhard
Jan 12, 2009Levy offers thoughts on the program she's presenting at Sundance and what's being called the "New Documentary Movement."
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Reviews
Debra Chasnoff's 'Straightlaced'
Judy Stone
Jan 5, 200950 California students talk about their problems with gender in the new documentary Straightlaced–How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up.
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Reviews
Genuflection: 'Pray the Devil Back to Hell'
Dennis Harvey
Dec 9, 2008Gini Reiticker's fine documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell, opens at SF's Red Vic Movie House and Berkeley's Shattuck Cinemas.
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In Production
A Documentary on Death and Survival in Paradise
Michael Fox
Oct 28, 2008A husband and wife filmmaking pair are in the midst of a documentary on mysterious disappearances in the Galapagos.
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In Production
A Documentary on Death and Survival in Paradise
Michael Fox
Oct 28, 2008A husband and wife filmmaking pair are in the midst of a documentary on mysterious disappearances in the Galapagos.
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Q & A
Susan Oxtoby and the Pacific Film Archive
Michael Fox
Oct 24, 2008The PFA senior curator talks about her cinematic influences, curating in Canada and the U.S., and recent additions to the world of film.
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Reviews
'Full Battle Rattle' On the Endless War
Matt Sussman
Oct 16, 2008Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss's film candidly explores 'the ground truth' of Iraq without setting foot in the country.
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Festivals
Carnival of Nonfiction Filmmaking
Dennis Harvey
Oct 16, 2008The extreme, the strange, the silly and surreal all have big seats at the SF DocFest table.
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Q & A
A Talk With Arab Film Festival's Executive Director
Michael Fox
Oct 13, 2008We sat down with Michel Shehadeh, who joined the festival earlier this year, for a wide-ranging interview on Arab film.
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Documentary
Trailer Talk
Fernanda Rossi
Oct 8, 2008The Doc Doctor prescribes cures for common pitfalls of demo reels.
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Festivals
Mill Valley Film Festival's Maher Moment
Dennis Harvey
Oct 2, 2008Religulous is a desperately awaited and already vehemently decried film by Bill Maher and director Larry Charles.
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Festivals
7th SF DocFest Program
Susan Gerhard
Sep 25, 2008The seventh San Francisco International Documentary Film Festival has the potential to be every bit as raucous as the other festivals under the organization's umbrella.
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Reviews
Baloney Sandwiches With No Cheese: Ted V. Mikels' Wild World
Matt Sussman
Sep 18, 2008'It takes your guts and your entrails and your soul to make a film,' Mikels once proclaimed. 'It takes everything you possess within you!'
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Reviews
Curators at Bay Area Now 5
Sean Uyehara
Sep 11, 2008YBCA's triennial exhibition has developed a deserved reputation for presenting an energetic survey of current Bay Area artistic practice.
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Reviews
'Hats Off' Fascinated With 93-Years-Young Actress
Lynn Rapoport
Aug 21, 2008A local filmmaker looks at Mimi Weddell, a perennial bit part-player with a jaw-dropping collection of hats and endless show biz energy.
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Q & A
Parvez Sharma and 'A Jihad for Love'
Judy Stone
Aug 14, 2008Sharma might never have made his film had he not felt guilty about causing unhappiness to his dying mother by telling her he was homosexual.
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Reviews
Global Film Initiative: Funding the Bigger Picture
Robert Avila
Aug 12, 2008The Legend of the Holy Net Potato, the first feature by Kerala-based filmmaker Vipin Vijay, concerns a cyborg, black magic, and a hacker.
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In Production
Saluting the Ultimate Whistleblower
Michael Fox
Aug 6, 2008SF360.org looks at the making of a documentary about the controversial leak of the Pentagon papers.
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Reviews
Saluting the Ultimate Whistleblower
Michael Fox
Aug 6, 2008SF360.org looks at the making of a documentary about the controversial leak of the Pentagon papers.
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Reviews
Not About Royalty
Michael Fox
Aug 6, 2008Empress Hotel looks at residents of a hotel turned homeless people's residence through San Francisco's Access to Housing program.
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Q & A
Strand's Marcus Hu and Frameline's Michael Lumpkin
Marcus Hu
Jun 16, 2008Strand Releasing President Marcus Hu speaks with Frameline Artistic Director Lumpkin about Frameline, queer cinema and the future of this niche festival.]
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Q & A
The Doctor and the Documentarian Behind "The English Surgeon"
Jennifer Preissel
May 19, 2008When The English Surgeon had its U.S. premiere at the SFIFF this month, Geoffrey Smith and Henry Marsh received a standing ovation.
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Q & A
SFIFF51: California Newsreel at 40
Erika Young
Apr 21, 2008Founded in 1968, San Francisco-based Newsreel is the oldest nonprofit, social-issue documentary film center in the U.S.
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Reviews
"Cachao: Uno Mas"
Chuy Varela
Apr 10, 2008Cachao: Uno Mas documents acclaimed bassist and cuban music innovator Israel "Cachao" Lopez's work and San Francisco concert at Bimbo's
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Reviews
"Cachao: Uno Mas"
Chuy Varela
Apr 10, 2008Cachao: Uno Mas documents acclaimed bassist and cuban music innovator Israel "Cachao" Lopez's work and San Francisco concert at Bimbo's
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Q & A
Herzog, Docs, and Truth at AFI Fest
Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
Nov 12, 2007Herzog's remarks challenged the audience to reconsider its views on non-fiction film at AFI Fest.
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Q & A
Jon Else On Acts of Creation
Michael Fox
Apr 23, 2007Wonders Are Many: The Making of Doctor Atomic blends World War II history with composer John Adams and director Peter Sellars’ staging of a new opera on the subject.
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Reviews
"Iraq in Fragments, "The Lives of Others"
Max Goldberg
Feb 13, 2007James Longley's Fragments stands out amongst the crowded field of Iraqumentaries, while Others pulls back the Iron Curtain to powerful effect.
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Q & A
James T. Hong on Heidegger, Hitler, and His New Film
Cheryl Eddy
Dec 18, 2006San Francisco artist James T. Hong is currently working on a documentary, tentatively titled New History Zero, which explores his interest in revisionist World War II history.
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Q & A
Crossing That Bridge
Michael Fox
Oct 24, 2006Eric Steel's disturbing, controversial documentary, The Bridge, focuses on people who end their lives at the famous landmark at the edge of the continent.
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Reviews
Peter Whitehead's '60s
Max Goldberg
Sep 14, 2006The provocative documentary filmmaker is recalled with a retrospective at Yerba Buena Center For the Arts.
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Festivals
A Tale of Two Shorts Festivals
Robert Avila
Aug 10, 2006SF Shorts and the SF Underground Short Film Festival provide a big-screen showcase for oft-overlooked short subjects.
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Q & A
Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer, from the Salton Sea to San Francisco
Michael Fox
Jul 31, 2006Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer talk about their acclaimed debut Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea, their influences, and making films in San Francisco.
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Q & A
Adrian Belic and Just Think Youth Media Educators
Susan Gerhard
Jul 26, 2006Belic helped a group of youths learn about documentary filmmaking in a program designed to offer media skills to under-served Bay Area high schoolers.
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Q & A
Mat Whitecross and the Rough "Road to Guantanamo"
Susan Gerhard
Jun 26, 2006Mat Whitecross talks about his documentary The Road to Guantanamo, which takes a look at the inhumanity of U.S. "detainment" camps in Cuba.
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Reviews
Four Performers on Getting "Fired!"
Susan Gerhard
May 19, 2006Four stories from familiar performers who once found themselves in the "formerly employed by" category, taken from Fired!, which plays Docfest 2006.
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Q & A
Public Defender Jeff Adachi Adds Filmmaker to Resume
Susan Gerhard
Mar 13, 2006Jeff Adachi, San Francisco public defender, adds filmmaker to the resume.
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Q & A
Interview With Richard Leacock and D.A. Pennebaker
Susan Gerhard
Mar 7, 2006Direct cinema pioneers Richard Leacock and D.A. Pennebaker discuss seeing and believing.
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Festivals
Human Rights Watch Film Festival: More Than "Watching"
Robert Avila
Mar 2, 2006HRW's series of films chosen for aesthetic value and human rights content continues to grow as it stays true to its roots.
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Reviews
Leacock-Pennebaker Tribute at SF State's Documentary Film Institute
Susan Gerhard
Feb 27, 2006With a Leacock-Pennebaker tribute, SF State's Documentary Film Institute proves there's no reason to "revive" cinema verite; it never died.
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Reviews
Leacock-Pennebaker Tribute at SF State's Documentary Film Institute
Susan Gerhard
Feb 27, 2006With a Leacock-Pennebaker tribute, SF State's Documentary Film Institute proves there's no reason to "revive" cinema verite; it never died.
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