• Events
  
  

  Essential SF: Nov. 6

  Nov 6, 2011

  Essential SF shines a light on the Bay Area’s legendary, idiosyncratic and multifaceted contributions to the filmmaking world at SF Film Society | New People Cinema, 7:00 pm. An outgrowth of SF360.org’s Essential SF column, the event this year also pays tribute to the half-decade-plus SF360.org project.

  
• Featured
  
  

  Essential SF: Nov. 6

  Nov 6, 2011

  Essential SF shines a light on the Bay Area’s legendary, idiosyncratic and multifaceted contributions to the filmmaking world at SF Film Society | New People Cinema, 7:00 pm. An outgrowth of SF360.org’s Essential SF column, the event this year also pays tribute to the half-decade-plus SF360.org project.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Nov. 6

  Nov 6, 2011

  Essential SF shines a light on the Bay Area’s legendary, idiosyncratic and multifaceted contributions to the filmmaking world at SF Film Society | New People Cinema, 7:00 pm. An outgrowth of SF360.org’s Essential SF column, the event this year also pays tribute to the half-decade-plus SF360.org project.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2011

  With riveting characters, cascading revelations and momentous breakthroughs, Epstein and Friedman’s work paved the way for contemporary documentary practice.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2011

  With riveting characters, cascading revelations and momentous breakthroughs, Epstein and Friedman’s work paved the way for contemporary documentary practice.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2011

  With riveting characters, cascading revelations and momentous breakthroughs, Epstein and Friedman’s work paved the way for contemporary documentary practice.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Susan Gerhard

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 2, 2011

  Susan Gerhard talks copy, critics and the 'there' we have here.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Susan Gerhard

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 2, 2011

  Susan Gerhard talks copy, critics and the 'there' we have here.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Susan Gerhard

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 2, 2011

  Susan Gerhard talks copy, critics and the 'there' we have here.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Joshua Grannell

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 1, 2011

  Since its first event in 1998, Midnight Mass has become an SF institution, and Peaches Christ, well, she's its peerless warden and cult leader.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Joshua Grannell

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 1, 2011

  Since its first event in 1998, Midnight Mass has become an SF institution, and Peaches Christ, well, she's its peerless warden and cult leader.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Joshua Grannell

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Nov 1, 2011

  Since its first event in 1998, Midnight Mass has become an SF institution, and Peaches Christ, well, she's its peerless warden and cult leader.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Karen Larsen

  Michael Fox
  Oct 31, 2011

  Universally warm sentiment is attached to the Bay Area's hardest working indie/art film publicist.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Karen Larsen

  Michael Fox
  Oct 31, 2011

  Universally warm sentiment is attached to the Bay Area's hardest working indie/art film publicist.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Karen Larsen

  Michael Fox
  Oct 31, 2011

  Universally warm sentiment is attached to the Bay Area's hardest working indie/art film publicist.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Canyon Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Oct 26, 2011

  For 50 years, Canyon Cinema has provided crucial support for a fertile avant-garde film scene.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Canyon Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Oct 26, 2011

  For 50 years, Canyon Cinema has provided crucial support for a fertile avant-garde film scene.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Canyon Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Oct 26, 2011

  For 50 years, Canyon Cinema has provided crucial support for a fertile avant-garde film scene.

  
• October 28, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Canyon Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Oct 26, 2011

  For 50 years, Canyon Cinema has provided crucial support for a fertile avant-garde film scene.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light

  Michael Fox
  Oct 19, 2011

  Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light

  Michael Fox
  Oct 19, 2011

  Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.

  
• November 3, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light

  Michael Fox
  Oct 19, 2011

  Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.

  
• October 20, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Irving Saraf and Allie Light

  Michael Fox
  Oct 19, 2011

  Saraf and Light's work is marked by an unwavering appreciation for underdogs and outsiders.

  
• August 25, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• November 24, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Essential SF: Lynn Hershman Leeson

  Stephanie Rosenbaum
  Aug 23, 2011

  Lynn Hershman Leeson catalogues revolutions past and pushes the art and technology envelope well into the future.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• July 28, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• July 28, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Freedom On My Mind,’ ‘The Good War’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2011

  The best of the Bay Area's historical docs transform our understanding of previous eras, and, consequently, our own.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘North Beach,’ ‘Medicine For Melancholy’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 20, 2011

  Two Bay Area location-based features that speak to the moment are poised to stand the test of time.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘North Beach,’ ‘Medicine For Melancholy’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 20, 2011

  Two Bay Area location-based features that speak to the moment are poised to stand the test of time.

  
• July 21, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘North Beach,’ ‘Medicine For Melancholy’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 20, 2011

  Two Bay Area location-based features that speak to the moment are poised to stand the test of time.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Holy Ghost People,' 'Samsara'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 13, 2011

  SF filmmakers Peter Adair and Ellen Bruno created classics on religious intensity.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Holy Ghost People,' 'Samsara'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 13, 2011

  SF filmmakers Peter Adair and Ellen Bruno created classics on religious intensity.

  
• July 14, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Holy Ghost People,' 'Samsara'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 13, 2011

  SF filmmakers Peter Adair and Ellen Bruno created classics on religious intensity.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Off the Charts,’ ‘Double Dare’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 7, 2011

  Surprising characters, narratives emerge in Jamie Meltzer and Amanda Micheli’s portraits of unlikely artists.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Off the Charts,’ ‘Double Dare’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 7, 2011

  Surprising characters, narratives emerge in Jamie Meltzer and Amanda Micheli’s portraits of unlikely artists.

  
• July 7, 2011
  
  

  Essential SF: ‘Off the Charts,’ ‘Double Dare’

  Michael Fox
  Jul 7, 2011

  Surprising characters, narratives emerge in Jamie Meltzer and Amanda Micheli’s portraits of unlikely artists.

  
• December 9, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Anne McGuire

  Sean Uyehara
  Dec 6, 2010

  San Francisco has not quite been the same since it began experiencing the cinema/performance antics of an uncontainable Anne McGuire.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Anne McGuire

  Sean Uyehara
  Dec 6, 2010

  San Francisco has not quite been the same since it began experiencing the cinema/performance antics of an uncontainable Anne McGuire.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Anne McGuire

  Sean Uyehara
  Dec 6, 2010

  San Francisco has not quite been the same since it began experiencing the cinema/performance antics of an uncontainable Anne McGuire.

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Anne McGuire

  Sean Uyehara
  Dec 6, 2010

  San Francisco has not quite been the same since it began experiencing the cinema/performance antics of an uncontainable Anne McGuire.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Marlon Riggs

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 15, 2010

  From 'Tongues Untied' to 'Black Is.....Black Ain't,' Marlon Riggs' art was a series of radical acts that were both overdue and ahead of their time. Two decades ago, in post-Reagan America, the arts were under fire—one lit by a very particular religious right match. Feeling the heat was the National Endowment for the Arts, a then 25-year-old institution already pretty pitifully funded by comparison with most other developed nations’ governmental arts support. But the small portion of NEA grants that helped avant-garde or otherwise edgy art—as opposed to, say, the local Gilbert & Sullivan society or annual craft fair—provided plenty of opportunities...

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Marlon Riggs

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 15, 2010

  From 'Tongues Untied' to 'Black Is.....Black Ain't,' Marlon Riggs' art was a series of radical acts that were both overdue and ahead of their time. Two decades ago, in post-Reagan America, the arts were under fire—one lit by a very particular religious right match. Feeling the heat was the National Endowment for the Arts, a then 25-year-old institution already pretty pitifully funded by comparison with most other developed nations’ governmental arts support. But the small portion of NEA grants that helped avant-garde or otherwise edgy art—as opposed to, say, the local Gilbert & Sullivan society or annual craft fair—provided plenty of opportunities...

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Les Blank

  Michael Fox
  Nov 6, 2010

  Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: Les Blank

  Michael Fox
  Nov 6, 2010

  Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.

  
• November 11, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Les Blank

  Michael Fox
  Nov 6, 2010

  Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Les Blank

  Michael Fox
  Nov 6, 2010

  Eat, dance, love: Les Blank brings nonfiction back to life in a long and storied career.

  
• November 4, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF

  Susan Gerhard, Editor
  Nov 5, 2010

  SF360.org profiles the 2011 roster of Essential SF, an ongoing compendium of the film community’s vital figures and institutions.

  
• November 2, 2010
  
  

  Cinema by the Bay/Essential SF

  Nov 5, 2010

  Now in its second year, SFFS's Cinema by the Bay brings Bay Area films and filmmakers to Mission venues the Roxie Theater, the Lab and Southern Exposure. As part of the festivities, SF360 Presents Essential SF November 8, featuring a hard-core handful of the Bay Area's vital filmmakers and institutions. Look for more on the shows at sffs.org.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  The View from Here

  Michael Fox
  Nov 4, 2010

  San Francisco Film Society's Cinema by the Bay festival puts the focus on locals.

  
• Home
  
  

  The View from Here

  Michael Fox
  Nov 4, 2010

  San Francisco Film Society's Cinema by the Bay festival puts the focus on locals.

  
• November 4, 2010
  
  

  The View from Here

  Michael Fox
  Nov 4, 2010

  San Francisco Film Society's Cinema by the Bay festival puts the focus on locals.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Gail Silva

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2010

  Former Film Arts Foundation head Gail Silva continues to catalyze the film community. It would be a simple matter to collect testimonies to Gail Silva’s extraordinary impact and influence on the Bay Area film community—and beyond—from the countless artists and novices she has counseled, coached, prodded and pushed in the last 30-plus years and counting. But an extensive public appreciation already exists, you see, in the hundreds and hundreds of films, long and short, that prominently acknowledged her contribution in the end credits. The longtime executive director of Film Arts Foundation (of blessed memory) and creative and strategic consultant for a host of individual clients, Silva is deservedly included in the inaugural class of Essential SF honorees.

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Gail Silva

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2010

  Former Film Arts Foundation head Gail Silva continues to catalyze the film community. It would be a simple matter to collect testimonies to Gail Silva’s extraordinary impact and influence on the Bay Area film community—and beyond—from the countless artists and novices she has counseled, coached, prodded and pushed in the last 30-plus years and counting. But an extensive public appreciation already exists, you see, in the hundreds and hundreds of films, long and short, that prominently acknowledged her contribution in the end credits. The longtime executive director of Film Arts Foundation (of blessed memory) and creative and strategic consultant for a host of individual clients, Silva is deservedly included in the inaugural class of Essential SF honorees.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: Rick Prelinger

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 2, 2010

  Rick Prelinger’s efforts at preserving ephemeral films have made him indispensable to the cinema of San Francisco—and the world.

  
• November 3 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: Rick Prelinger

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 2, 2010

  Rick Prelinger’s efforts at preserving ephemeral films have made him indispensable to the cinema of San Francisco—and the world.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter,' 'Paulina,' 'First Person Plural'

  Michael Fox
  Oct 6, 2010

  The Bay Area's best first-person documentaries take us through a lens, darkly.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter,' 'Paulina,' 'First Person Plural'

  Michael Fox
  Oct 6, 2010

  The Bay Area's best first-person documentaries take us through a lens, darkly.

  
• October 7, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter,' 'Paulina,' 'First Person Plural'

  Michael Fox
  Oct 6, 2010

  The Bay Area's best first-person documentaries take us through a lens, darkly.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Chan Is Missing,' 'Thousand Pieces of Gold,' 'Heat and Sunlight'

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2010

  San Francisco narrative filmmakers offer nuanced visions of their city.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Chan Is Missing,' 'Thousand Pieces of Gold,' 'Heat and Sunlight'

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2010

  San Francisco narrative filmmakers offer nuanced visions of their city.

  
• September 30, 2010
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Chan Is Missing,' 'Thousand Pieces of Gold,' 'Heat and Sunlight'

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2010

  San Francisco narrative filmmakers offer nuanced visions of their city.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Berkeley in the Sixties,' 'Brother Outsider,' 'Weather Underground'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2010

  Three Bay Area documentaries correct the historical record.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Berkeley in the Sixties,' 'Brother Outsider,' 'Weather Underground'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2010

  Three Bay Area documentaries correct the historical record.

  
• Home
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Times of Harvey Milk,' 'Crumb,' 'Cockettes'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 23, 2010

  Three films document essential chunks of San Francisco's tragic and mythic past, told in empathetic but non-hagiographic testimony.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Essential SF: 'Times of Harvey Milk,' 'Crumb,' 'Cockettes'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 23, 2010

  Three films document essential chunks of San Francisco's tragic and mythic past, told in empathetic but non-hagiographic testimony.