Opportunities: International Film Festival Summit

Dec 4, 2011

International Film Festival Summit (December 4–6, 2011), held in Austin, Texas, is the largest international organization representing the film festival industry. The IFFS mission is to promote and strengthen the global film festival industry through education, networking, dissemination of information, and the cultivation of high standards. This year's featured topics include Anatomy of a Festival: South by Southwest, Programming: The Fine Art of Film Selection, Marketing Strategies: Integrating Social Media and Technology, The Festival Mission, Sponsorship Strategy, Box Office Technology Solutions, among others. Notable speakers include Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset), as well as SFFS' very own Steve Jenkins, Sarah Cathers, and Linda Butler. DEADLINE: Register by September 25, 2011 to receive discounted rate. WEBSITE: filmfestivalsummit.com/iffshome.html.

Funding: San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Cultural Equity Grants

Nov 10, 2011

San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Cultural Equity Grants provide "financial support for the enrichment of San Francisco's multicultural landscape." ELIGIBILITY: Organization Project Grants provide up to $15,000 to support the presentation of high quality works of art and arts activities, including film and video screenings and arts festivals. All art forms will be considered. To be eligible, organizations must have 501(c)(3) status or use a fiscal sponsor. Grant Period: June 15, 2012 - December 31, 2013. AWARDS: Grants awards are up to 15,000 to support the enhancement of arts facilities in the city. DEADLINE: November 10, 2011. WEBSITE: sfartscommission.org/ceg/grants/index.html#opg.

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.

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.

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.

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Announces New Executive Director

Oct 24, 2011

Press release: The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival announced its new Executive Director: Lexi Leban, who begins working with the festival November 7, 2011. A longtime member of the Bay Area film community, Lexi has worked in all aspects of film, from production to distribution. She’s also worked with numerous film festivals, including the Mill Valley Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and the Global Social Change Film Festival in Bali. Lexi is currently Academic Director of the Digital Filmmaking & Video Production Program at the Art Institute of California, where she built the department from its inception. Her most recent feature documentary, Girl Trouble, which follows young girls in San Francisco’s juvenile justice system, aired on PBS’s acclaimed series Independent Lens in January of 2006, and won Best Bay Area Documentary at the San Francisco International Film Festival. More at sfjff.org.

Signs of the Times

Adam Hartzell
Oct 24, 2011

Director Mina T. Son talks about the creation of ‘Making Noise in Silence,’ screening the United Nations Association Film Festival this week.

Signs of the Times

Adam Hartzell
Oct 24, 2011

Director Mina T. Son talks about the creation of ‘Making Noise in Silence,’ screening the United Nations Association Film Festival this week.

Signs of the Times

Adam Hartzell
Oct 24, 2011

Director Mina T. Son talks about the creation of ‘Making Noise in Silence,’ screening the United Nations Association Film Festival this week.

Mill Valley Film Festival

Oct 6, 2011

The 34th Mill Valley Film Festival continues at a number of locations, with a number of notable guests, including directors Gaston Kaboré and Luc Besson. See Dennis Harvey's extended preview on SF360 for the full story. More info and film schedule at mvff.com.

Mill Valley Film Festival

Oct 6, 2011

The 34th Mill Valley Film Festival continues at a number of locations, with a number of notable guests, including directors Gaston Kaboré and Luc Besson. See Dennis Harvey's extended preview on SF360 for the full story. More info and film schedule at mvff.com.

Mill Valley Brings Oscar Contenders Close to Home

Dennis Harvey
Oct 6, 2011

Mill Valley amps up the star wattage in its annual mix of local, international titles.

Mill Valley Brings Oscar Contenders Close to Home

Dennis Harvey
Oct 6, 2011

Mill Valley amps up the star wattage in its annual mix of local, international titles.

Mill Valley Brings Oscar Contenders Close to Home

Dennis Harvey
Oct 6, 2011

Mill Valley amps up the star wattage in its annual mix of local, international titles.

Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 18, 2011

Sex-filled fictions dominate Toronto International Film Festival; eclectic docs inspire action.

Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 18, 2011

Sex-filled fictions dominate Toronto International Film Festival; eclectic docs inspire action.

Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 18, 2011

Sex-filled fictions dominate Toronto International Film Festival; eclectic docs inspire action.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

B. Ruby Rich
Aug 5, 2011

Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

B. Ruby Rich
Aug 5, 2011

Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

B. Ruby Rich
Aug 5, 2011

Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience

Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011

Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.

Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience

Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011

Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.

Yoav Potash Takes 'Crime's' Case to Larger Audience

Judy Stone
Aug 1, 2011

Deborah Peagler's case in 'Crime After Crime' gets its time in court and on screen, with moving results.

Graham Leggat Steps Down as Executive Director of San Francisco Film Society

Jul 5, 2011

Film Society’s leader for more than five years resigns due to health issues.

Graham Leggat Steps Down as Executive Director of San Francisco Film Society

Jul 5, 2011

Film Society’s leader for more than five years resigns due to health issues.

Graham Leggat Steps Down as Executive Director of San Francisco Film Society

Jul 5, 2011

Film Society’s leader for more than five years resigns due to health issues.

Ninth Street Announces Incubator Participants

Jul 1, 2011

Press release: The Ninth Street Independent Film Center announced today five new participants for the Center's Media Arts Incubator Program for 2011-2012. "This is a great group of participants," says Skye Christensen, Executive Director of the Ninth Street Independent Film Center. "Each brings a very dynamic project to the Program, and we're really looking forward to what they'll accomplish during their time here." Ninth Street’s Media Arts Incubator Program is designed to nurture socially relevant independent media projects at Ninth Street Independent Film Center. The Incubator Program supports independent filmmakers, start-up film festivals and small media nonprofits through access to workspace and shared resources, such as cross-promotional opportunities, co-productions, affordable meeting or exhibition space and community connections with established media arts partners (Center for Asian American Media, Frameline, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, and others). Participants are: Rachel Caplan (CEO) and Daniela Rible (Deputy Director) of the annual SF Green Film Festival; Jennifer Tipton and Cary McQueen Morrow, the directors of Art with Impact, which is a platform for the creation of new media on critical social issues; David Evan Harris, Executive Director of the Global Lives Project, a media arts nonprofit that seeks to collaboratively build a video library of human life experience; Scarlett Shepard is Executive Director of the SF Women’s Film Festival; and J.R. Flemming, director and producer of Guarding Dogs, which is a documentary film with a crowd-sourcing model currently in production that makes the case for adopting a dog instead breeding/buying.

Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011

A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.

Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011

A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.

Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2011

A film festival and conference offered audiences and makers opportunities to move forward.

Frameline35 Opens, Features Wildly Diverse Program

Dennis Harvey
Jun 16, 2011

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival delivers internationally as well as locally made films of every identity and genre stripe.

Frameline35 Opens, Features Wildly Diverse Program

Dennis Harvey
Jun 16, 2011

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival delivers internationally as well as locally made films of every identity and genre stripe.

Frameline35 Opens, Features Wildly Diverse Program

Dennis Harvey
Jun 16, 2011

The San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival delivers internationally as well as locally made films of every identity and genre stripe.

Another Hole in the Head Scares Up New Round

Dennis Harvey
Jun 2, 2011

The adventure of Another Hole in the Head Film Festival requires you risk seeing the occasional dud to seek out the gems.

Another Hole in the Head Scares Up New Round

Dennis Harvey
Jun 2, 2011

The adventure of Another Hole in the Head Film Festival requires you risk seeing the occasional dud to seek out the gems.

Another Hole in the Head Scares Up New Round

Dennis Harvey
Jun 2, 2011

The adventure of Another Hole in the Head Film Festival requires you risk seeing the occasional dud to seek out the gems.

Another Hole in the Head Scares Up New Round

Dennis Harvey
Jun 2, 2011

The adventure of Another Hole in the Head Film Festival requires you risk seeing the occasional dud to seek out the gems.

Bay Area Doc-makers of SFIFF54 Map Future

Michael Fox
Apr 27, 2011

The region's nonfiction filmmakers consider next steps after their SFIFF debuts.

Bay Area Doc-makers of SFIFF54 Map Future

Michael Fox
Apr 27, 2011

The region's nonfiction filmmakers consider next steps after their SFIFF debuts.

Bay Area Doc-makers of SFIFF54 Map Future

Michael Fox
Apr 27, 2011

The region's nonfiction filmmakers consider next steps after their SFIFF debuts.

SFIFF Joins Festival Scope

Apr 25, 2011

Press release: The San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21 - May 5) announced that the Festival has been invited to join Festival Scope, a new Internet platform that allows programming of selected film festivals to be viewed online by film professionals around the world. More at sffs.org.

Talent Emerges at SXSW 2011

Julia Barbosa
Mar 22, 2011

Issues, philosophies spark SXSW's 2011 films.

The Future Messes with Texas at SXSW

Sara Dosa
Mar 21, 2011

New technology and futuristic themes featured prominently at South by Southwest this year.

The Future Messes with Texas at SXSW

Sara Dosa
Mar 21, 2011

New technology and futuristic themes featured prominently at South by Southwest this year.

The Future Messes with Texas at SXSW

Sara Dosa
Mar 21, 2011

New technology and futuristic themes featured prominently at South by Southwest this year.

Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts

Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011

Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.

Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts

Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011

Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.

Seely Treks Long Distances for Shorts

Michael Fox
Mar 16, 2011

Long story short: A filmmaker finds the right length for his South American health doc.

SFIAAFF Brings 'Light,' Captures Attention

Adam Hartzell
Mar 10, 2011

At nearly 30, SF Int’l Asian American Film Festival fulfills a multifacted programming mission. The 29th edition of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival stretches across the Bay Area, from San Francisco to Berkeley to San Jose March 10–20, bringing “Stories to Light” as the Center for Asian American Media's new tagline says. Indeed, both the stories and their potential audiences would be left in the dark without the solid efforts of new festival steward Misashi Niwano and Christine Kwon (festival director and managing director, respectively). In a city privileged with a vast...

SFIAAFF Brings 'Light,' Captures Attention

Adam Hartzell
Mar 10, 2011

At nearly 30, SF Int’l Asian American Film Festival fulfills a multifacted programming mission. The 29th edition of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival stretches across the Bay Area, from San Francisco to Berkeley to San Jose March 10–20, bringing “Stories to Light” as the Center for Asian American Media's new tagline says. Indeed, both the stories and their potential audiences would be left in the dark without the solid efforts of new festival steward Misashi Niwano and Christine Kwon (festival director and managing director, respectively). In a city privileged with a vast...

Noise Pop 2011's Film Series Rawks

Dennis Harvey
Feb 17, 2011

Noise Pop brings the noise as well as great filmmaking to its annual music-and-movie event.

Noise Pop 2011's Film Series Rawks

Dennis Harvey
Feb 17, 2011

Noise Pop brings the noise as well as great filmmaking to its annual music-and-movie event.

Noise Pop 2011's Film Series Rawks

Dennis Harvey
Feb 17, 2011

Noise Pop brings the noise as well as great filmmaking to its annual music-and-movie event.

Silent Film Festival Is in the Money

Michael Fox
Feb 10, 2011

SF Silent Film Festival's Winter Event offers financial dramas that speak volumes.

Silent Film Festival Is in the Money

Michael Fox
Feb 10, 2011

SF Silent Film Festival's Winter Event offers financial dramas that speak volumes.

Silent Film Festival Is in the Money

Michael Fox
Feb 10, 2011

SF Silent Film Festival's Winter Event offers financial dramas that speak volumes.

Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

Michael Fox
Feb 9, 2011

Scary Cow matches makers with crews, and, every quarter, finds audiences for both.

Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

Michael Fox
Feb 9, 2011

Scary Cow matches makers with crews, and, every quarter, finds audiences for both.

Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

Michael Fox
Feb 9, 2011

Scary Cow matches makers with crews, and, every quarter, finds audiences for both.

Mostly British Looks Beyond Speechifying Kings

Michael Fox
Feb 7, 2011

Australian films comprise fully a third of the Mostly British Film Festival lineup.

Mostly British Looks Beyond Speechifying Kings

Michael Fox
Feb 7, 2011

Australian films comprise fully a third of the Mostly British Film Festival lineup.

Mostly British Looks Beyond Speechifying Kings

Michael Fox
Feb 7, 2011

Australian films comprise fully a third of the Mostly British Film Festival lineup.

Eclectic Expectations Met at SF Indiefest

Matt Sussman
Feb 3, 2011

SF Indiefest brings drama, doc, fact, fiction and physique into its annual showcase.

Eclectic Expectations Met at SF Indiefest

Matt Sussman
Feb 3, 2011

SF Indiefest brings drama, doc, fact, fiction and physique into its annual showcase.

Eclectic Expectations Met at SF Indiefest

Matt Sussman
Feb 3, 2011

SF Indiefest brings drama, doc, fact, fiction and physique into its annual showcase.

SF360 Live at Sundance: Strange and Charmed Visions

SFFS Staff
Jan 25, 2011

Sean Uyehara: "If you wanted, you could say that Calvin Lee Reeder channels the love child of Dario Argento and Maya Deren..."

SF360 Live at Sundance: Strange and Charmed Visions

SFFS Staff
Jan 25, 2011

Sean Uyehara: "If you wanted, you could say that Calvin Lee Reeder channels the love child of Dario Argento and Maya Deren..."

SF360 Live at Sundance: Strange and Charmed Visions

SFFS Staff
Jan 25, 2011

Sean Uyehara: "If you wanted, you could say that Calvin Lee Reeder channels the love child of Dario Argento and Maya Deren..."

Temporary Insanity Takes Hold at Noir City

Max Goldberg
Jan 21, 2011

Noir City 9's "madness" theme means a few more gothic titles and a fresh context to appreciate noir’s signature motifs.

Temporary Insanity Takes Hold at Noir City

Max Goldberg
Jan 21, 2011

Noir City 9's "madness" theme means a few more gothic titles and a fresh context to appreciate noir’s signature motifs.

Temporary Insanity Takes Hold at Noir City

Max Goldberg
Jan 21, 2011

Noir City 9's "madness" theme means a few more gothic titles and a fresh context to appreciate noir’s signature motifs.

German Gems Program Shines

Michael Fox
Jan 13, 2011

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

German Gems Program Shines

Michael Fox
Jan 13, 2011

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

German Gems Program Shines

Michael Fox
Jan 13, 2011

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

Film 2010: Top Tens

Susan Gerhard
Dec 23, 2010

Film fans and makers agree to disagree on the best films of 2010 in SF360.org's annual Year in Film poll.

Film 2010: Top Tens

Susan Gerhard
Dec 23, 2010

Film fans and makers agree to disagree on the best films of 2010 in SF360.org's annual Year in Film poll.

Film 2010: Top Tens

Susan Gerhard
Dec 23, 2010

Film fans and makers agree to disagree on the best films of 2010 in SF360.org's annual Year in Film poll.

Film 2010: Top Tens

Susan Gerhard
Dec 23, 2010

Film fans and makers agree to disagree on the best films of 2010 in SF360.org's annual Year in Film poll.

'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost

Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.

'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost

Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.

'Ghost Bird' Returns to Roost

Susan Gerhard
Dec 13, 2010

The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker may have disappeared for good, but a film about its possible rebirth persists against all odds.

Film Festival Season: Five Last-Minute Music Clearance Tips

Annie Lin/The Rights Workshop
Dec 7, 2010

The Rights Workshop offers timely advice on clearing music rights pre-Sundance.

Film Festival Season: Five Last-Minute Music Clearance Tips

Annie Lin/The Rights Workshop
Dec 7, 2010

The Rights Workshop offers timely advice on clearing music rights pre-Sundance.

Film Festival Season: Five Last-Minute Music Clearance Tips

Annie Lin/The Rights Workshop
Dec 7, 2010

The Rights Workshop offers timely advice on clearing music rights pre-Sundance.

Film Festival Season: Five Last-Minute Music Clearance Tips

Annie Lin/The Rights Workshop
Dec 7, 2010

The Rights Workshop offers timely advice on clearing music rights pre-Sundance.

Malmberg Builds a Following with 'Marwencol'

Jessica Sapick
Nov 29, 2010

A first-team non-fiction feature filmmaker hits it big with miniatures story.

Malmberg Builds a Following with 'Marwencol'

Jessica Sapick
Nov 29, 2010

A first-team non-fiction feature filmmaker hits it big with miniatures story.

Malmberg Builds a Following with 'Marwencol'

Jessica Sapick
Nov 29, 2010

A first-team non-fiction feature filmmaker hits it big with miniatures story.

Marquee Names Light Up French Cinema Now

Dennis Harvey
Oct 28, 2010

The latest finds from France's national cinema play in an SFFS showcase.

Marquee Names Light Up French Cinema Now

Dennis Harvey
Oct 28, 2010

The latest finds from France's national cinema play in an SFFS showcase.

Marquee Names Light Up French Cinema Now

Dennis Harvey
Oct 28, 2010

The latest finds from France's national cinema play in an SFFS showcase.

'Masquerades' Opens Arab Film Festival

Robert Avila
Oct 14, 2010

Appearances deceive in Lyès Salem’s 'Masquerades,' at the Arab Film Festival.

'Masquerades' Opens Arab Film Festival

Robert Avila
Oct 14, 2010

Appearances deceive in Lyès Salem’s 'Masquerades,' at the Arab Film Festival.

'Masquerades' Opens Arab Film Festival

Robert Avila
Oct 14, 2010

Appearances deceive in Lyès Salem’s 'Masquerades,' at the Arab Film Festival.

Mill Valley's 33rd Launches

Sura Wood
Oct 5, 2010

Mill Valley brings an eclectic collection of indies and world cinema to audiences.

Mill Valley's 33rd Launches

Sura Wood
Oct 5, 2010

Mill Valley brings an eclectic collection of indies and world cinema to audiences.

Mill Valley's 33rd Launches

Sura Wood
Oct 5, 2010

Mill Valley brings an eclectic collection of indies and world cinema to audiences.

'Left in the Dark' Savors the Bay Area's Cinema Past, Present

Susan Gerhard
Oct 4, 2010

Photo/essay book 'Left in the Dark' offers a way in—and out of—San Francisco cinema's rich, gritty, glamorous past.

'Left in the Dark' Savors the Bay Area's Cinema Past, Present

Susan Gerhard
Oct 4, 2010

Photo/essay book 'Left in the Dark' offers a way in—and out of—San Francisco cinema's rich, gritty, glamorous past.

'Left in the Dark' Savors the Bay Area's Cinema Past, Present

Susan Gerhard
Oct 4, 2010

Photo/essay book 'Left in the Dark' offers a way in—and out of—San Francisco cinema's rich, gritty, glamorous past.

Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

Michael Fox
Sep 29, 2010

Bay Area filmmakers find a platform at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

Michael Fox
Sep 29, 2010

Bay Area filmmakers find a platform at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

Michael Fox
Sep 29, 2010

Bay Area filmmakers find a platform at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

A Children's Film Festival Finds Inspiration for All Ages

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 24, 2010

The NY/SF International Children's Film Festival offers a mix of animation, live action, fantasy, entertainment and insight.

A Children's Film Festival Finds Inspiration for All Ages

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 24, 2010

The NY/SF International Children's Film Festival offers a mix of animation, live action, fantasy, entertainment and insight.

A Children's Film Festival Finds Inspiration for All Ages

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 24, 2010

The NY/SF International Children's Film Festival offers a mix of animation, live action, fantasy, entertainment and insight.

Toronto's New Lightbox Offers Transcendence

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 16, 2010

A festival transforms itself and transports audiences with a visionary new theater.

Toronto's New Lightbox Offers Transcendence

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 16, 2010

A festival transforms itself and transports audiences with a visionary new theater.

Toronto's New Lightbox Offers Transcendence

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 16, 2010

A festival transforms itself and transports audiences with a visionary new theater.

Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

Hannah Eaves
Sep 14, 2010

Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

Hannah Eaves
Sep 14, 2010

Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

Hannah Eaves
Sep 14, 2010

Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

Telluride Unveils 37th Film Festival

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 3, 2010

Surprising themes and high profile documentaries are among the highlights of the Telluride 2010 lineup.

Telluride Unveils 37th Film Festival

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 3, 2010

Surprising themes and high profile documentaries are among the highlights of the Telluride 2010 lineup.

Telluride Unveils 37th Film Festival

Gianmaria Franchini
Sep 3, 2010

Surprising themes and high profile documentaries are among the highlights of the Telluride 2010 lineup.

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.

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.

SF Jewish Film Festival Lights 30 Candles

Michael Fox
Jul 22, 2010

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival finds fans beyond its identity-based target audience with a wide array of international films and topics.

SF Jewish Film Festival Lights 30 Candles

Michael Fox
Jul 22, 2010

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival finds fans beyond its identity-based target audience with a wide array of international films and topics.

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival Speaks Volumes

Dennis Harvey
Jul 15, 2010

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

Dennis Harvey
Jul 15, 2010

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

Dennis Harvey
Jul 15, 2010

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

Crowd Control

George Rush
Jul 13, 2010

No matter what kind of film you’re making, eventually all filmmakers encounter the common legal problem of filming in a crowd.

Crowd Control

George Rush
Jul 13, 2010

No matter what kind of film you’re making, eventually all filmmakers encounter the common legal problem of filming in a crowd.

7th Heaven: Another Hole in the Head

Matt Sussman
Jul 7, 2010

SF Indiefest unveils its 7th annual showcase of the wildest and weirdest in independently produced sci-fi, horror and fantasy.

7th Heaven: Another Hole in the Head

Matt Sussman
Jul 7, 2010

SF Indiefest unveils its 7th annual showcase of the wildest and weirdest in independently produced sci-fi, horror and fantasy.

Storylines of Silverdocs 2010

Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2010

Storytelling took center stage at the U.S.'s pre-eminent documentary film festival, Silverdocs, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Storylines of Silverdocs 2010

Sara Dosa
Jul 1, 2010

Storytelling took center stage at the U.S.'s pre-eminent documentary film festival, Silverdocs, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Festivals from Cannes to Marfa, San Francisco Filmmakers Reporting

Emile Bokaer, Cynthia Mitchell
May 21, 2010

Bay Area filmmakers report back from film festivals far (Cannes) and wide (Marfa).

Festivals from Cannes to Marfa, San Francisco Filmmakers Reporting

Emile Bokaer, Cynthia Mitchell
May 21, 2010

Bay Area filmmakers report back from film festivals far (Cannes) and wide (Marfa).

A Short Guide to Funding Short Narratives

Holly Million
May 11, 2010

If you re making a short narrative, foundations give you no respect. Financiers turn a cold shoulder. Government grantors snort. And festivals slot your film Sunday at midnight.

SFIFF53: Golden Gate Awards and Juried Prizes/Grants Announced

Susan Gerhard
May 5, 2010

Cash prizes totaling nearly $300,000 for filmmakers highlighted the San Francisco International Film Festival s Golden Gate Awards Wednesday night.

SFIFF53: War Stories

Matt Sussman
May 5, 2010

Films 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.

SFIFF53: Ephemeral Film and Music, Live & Onstage

Marc Capelle
Apr 14, 2010

If you imagine the S.F. International Film Festival as an circus tent, with Opening and Closing nights the main supports, the other tent poles are interactive live experiences.

Nuclear Family Secrets in Silvia's Atomic Mom

Michael Fox
Mar 30, 2010

One of the oldest points of contention in documentary is whether the camera s presence alters the subject s behavior.

Laotian Tourists Focus Murray's Camera

Michael Fox
Mar 2, 2010

When Laos revised its visa structure to allow visitors to stay for more than one week, Westerners with digital cameras surged over the border.

Cinequest at 20

Dennis Harvey
Feb 21, 2010

Wasn't it just yesterday that Cinequest was the scrappy upstart amongst Bay Area festivals? Apparently not: San Jose's annual cinematic blowout is entering its third decade.

Mostly British and Very Entertaining

Dennis Harvey
Feb 4, 2010

Tragically underrepresented in the Bay Area's densely packed world of globally oriented film festivals is the land(s) of our erstwhile colonial rulers!

Words from Sundance Staffers: Michael Lyons

Hilary Hart
Jan 28, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Words from Sundance Staffers: Jennie-Marie Adler

Hilary Hart
Jan 28, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Words from Sundance Staffers: Ilya Tovbis

Hilary Hart
Jan 28, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Words from Sundance Staffers: Krissy Bailey

Hilary Hart
Jan 27, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Words from Sundance Staffers: Natalie Mulford

Hilary Hart
Jan 27, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Words from Sundance Staffers: Landon Zakheim

Hilary Hart
Jan 21, 2010

Hilary Hart, who annually holds down the late-night shift at the Egyptian at Sundance, offers interviews with fellow workers at the festival.

Darkness Of Noir City On Castro Screen

Dennis Harvey
Jan 20, 2010

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.

Nao Bustamante's 'Silver and Gold' in Park City

Glen Helfand
Jan 19, 2010

The late, great Jack Smith was all about the strange sway classic Hollywood movies, particularly obscure stars and low-budget yet opulent art direction, have had on us.

Jennifer Phang On Half-Life and Identity

Judy Stone
Jan 8, 2010

Jennifer Phang has experienced more than enough culture shocks in her life to empathize with the identity challenges of the characters in her debut feature.

Citizen Critics' New Outlets, Challenges in 2009

Adam Hartzell
Jan 2, 2010

The silver lining to a decade that saw traditional critics in conventional media dwindle? The explosion of socially networked citizen critics.

Citizen Critics' New Outlets, Challenges in 2009

Adam Hartzell
Jan 2, 2010

The silver lining to a decade that saw traditional critics in conventional media dwindle? The explosion of socially networked citizen critics.

Wintering with the SF Silent Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
Dec 9, 2009

Highlights from the 2009 San Francisco Silent Film Festival winter event.

Frazer Bradshaw on "Everything Strange and New"

Susan Gerhard
Nov 23, 2009

Susan Gerhard caught up with the director of an Oakland-shot domestic drama whose first-time feature was chosen for Sundance.

Gerald Peary on the Rise and Fall of the Film Critic

Susan Gerhard
Nov 14, 2009

Boston Phoenix film critic Gerald Peary's film tours the rise, fall and reorientation of film criticism in the United States.

A Challenge to Filmmakers

George Rush
Nov 3, 2009

George Rush skips legal concerns and instead speaks to a larger issue: the lack of quality independent filmmaking today.

A Challenge to Filmmakers

George Rush
Nov 3, 2009

George Rush skips legal concerns and instead speaks to a larger issue: the lack of quality independent filmmaking today.

French Cinema Now—and then

Dennis Harvey
Oct 29, 2009

Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows is being revived as part of San Francisco Film Society’s second annual French Cinema Now festival, which runs the week of October 29 through November 4 at the city’s Clay Theatre.

'Sorry, Thanks' Lavishes Love on the Mission

Michael Fox
Oct 24, 2009

From the steep slope of 22nd Street down to La Taqueria, from the Attic to Boogaloos, this droll feature showcases the Mission to glowing advantage.

SFFS's Debut Cinema by the Bay

Robert Avila
Oct 22, 2009

A new, four-day showcase of local filmmaking doubles as a forum for the region's influence as subject and setting for filmmakers beyond the bay.

Anne, Anne, Anne: McGuire Comes Alive

Michael Fox
Oct 20, 2009

Anne McGuire finds the beauty in the strange, and the strangeness in the beautiful. That's not perversity, people; that's poetry.

Mill Valley Film Festival's 32nd

Dennis Harvey
Oct 9, 2009

The program offers a surprisingly potent mainstream industry presence, with tributes to A-list types more frequently seen at the multiplex than at the art house.

Toronto International Film Festival 2009

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 19, 2009

The Toronto International Film Festival has always allowed a generosity of pursuits to co-exist, rewarding the adventurous and satiating the lazy, all without judgment.

Writing a Kick-Ass Funding Proposal

Holly Million
Sep 14, 2009

Fear-Free Fundraising: Notes on assembling the basic ingredients for a great foundation funding proposal.

Cory McAbee and 'Stingray Sam'

Dennis Harvey
Sep 13, 2009

High-concept cabaret-act favorite in the Bay Area who sidelines as a filmmaker, Cory McAbee (The American Astronaut) speaks about his latest, Stingray Sam.

E-news You Can Use

Michael Fox
Sep 1, 2009

The rapid adoption of e-newsletters by documentary filmmakers is the latest example of resourcefulness and efficiency among contemporary independents.

Hess, Janos and the Volunteers of America

Michael Fox
Aug 25, 2009

With in-process Volunteer Nation: Stories of Service, veteran producer-directors Ben Hess and Dan Janos are mobilizing the millennials.

Fine points on Festivals

George Rush
Aug 17, 2009

Avoiding Disaster: Festivals are a good way to have your film discovered by distributors, to build buzz and to build an audience—if you're well prepared.

Fine points on Festivals

George Rush
Aug 17, 2009

Avoiding Disaster: Festivals are a good way to have your film discovered by distributors, to build buzz and to build an audience—if you're well prepared.

'Lion's Den' and '24 City'

Susan Gerhard
Jul 31, 2009

Veteran filmmakers Pablo Trapero and Jia Zhang-ke complicate their genres with Lion's Den and 24 City.

'Lion's Den' and '24 City'

Susan Gerhard
Jul 31, 2009

Veteran filmmakers Pablo Trapero and Jia Zhang-ke complicate their genres with Lion's Den and 24 City.

Anita Monga and the SF Silent Film Festival

Sura Wood
Jul 11, 2009

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

SF Silent Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
Jul 9, 2009

Douglas Fairbanks in The Gaucho is one of the many highlights on screen during the three-day San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

Weissman's 'Heartbreak and Heroism'

Michael Fox
Jul 7, 2009

David Weissman speaks on his new project, Heartbreak and Heroism, revisiting the early years of the AIDS outbreak in San Francisco.

Kutner and Goldstein on 'The Snake'

Michael Fox
Jul 6, 2009

Adam Goldstein and Eric Kutner discuss their debut, The Snake, an unapologetically impertinent, made-in-S.F, comedy that marks its creators as resourceful wiseguys.

Richard Levien, from 'Immersion' to 'La Migra'

Jennifer Preissel
Jun 29, 2009

New Zealand transplant Richard Levien, a longstanding fixture of the San Francisco indie film community, breaks out of the editing room with Immersion.

Cronenwett's 'Maggots and Men' at Frameline

Michael Fox
Jun 20, 2009

A case could be made that Cary Cronenwett's Maggots and Men isn't just the most unique work in Frameline33, but of any festival all year.

Frameline33: Something Old, Something New

Dennis Harvey
Jun 17, 2009

A dose of self-affirmation arrives with Frameline33 (or, if you prefer, the multiple-breath-intake-requiring San Francisco International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Film Festival.)

Bruce Goldstein: From NY to SF to 'Con'

Judy Stone
May 17, 2009

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: Golden Gate Awards Uncorked, SFFS/KRF Grant Winner Announced

Susan Gerhard
May 7, 2009

SFIFF handed out approximately $100,000 and announced the winner San Francisco Film Society/Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grant during its Golden Gate Awards.

Local Makers Line Up Next Shot after SFIFF

Michael Fox
May 4, 2009

The 2009 SFIFF has been a launching pad for the numerous Bay Area filmmaker

SFIFF52: Robert Redford Accepts Owens Award

Dennis Harvey
Apr 29, 2009

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

SFIFF52: Lourdes Portillo, Persistence of Vision Award Recipient

Robert Avila
Apr 27, 2009

The San Francisco-based and internationally acclaimed documentarian Lourdes Portillo speaks about her work; she wins the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival Persistence of Vision Award.

SFIFF52: Peter Bratt's "La Mission"

Susan Gerhard
Apr 23, 2009

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.

"Observe and Report:" Seth Rogen Strikes Again

Dennis Harvey
Apr 9, 2009

If it grows darker than one might expect, Observe still hesitates at becoming a true black comedy; it's more medium-gray, earning stripes for breaking from current comedy norms on a moment-to-moment basis without quite arriving at an original, fully-developed whole. But Hill has a good eye, ear (the soundtrack choices are notably sharp), sense of off-kilter pacing, and, most importantly, a firm grasp on character.

SF International Film Festival Lineup

Susan Gerhard
Mar 31, 2009

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.

'Medicine for Melancholy' in the City it Re-discovered

Michael Fox
Mar 5, 2009

Barry Jenkins talks abut his background, making movies in San Francisco and the issues of black identity, assimilation and gentrification, which are at the heart of his film.

Noise Pop Film Festival 2009

Dennis Harvey
Feb 26, 2009

About as far from the ever-increasing corporatization of popular music as you can get is the annual dose from the Noise Pop Festival.

Re-Viewing 'The Savage Eye'

Dennis Harvey
Feb 18, 2009

This "dramatized documentary" was a labor of love–if also a graphic portrayal of the vast LA detached from Hollywood's success-bubble glamour.

SF Indiefest 2009

Dennis Harvey
Feb 5, 2009

With a roster that sprawls from horror to softcore to verite-style drama and documentary, the only constant is that you won't be bored.

Remembering Ave Montague

Tim Etheridge
Jan 31, 2009

On 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.

César Charlone Directs 'The Pope's Toilet'

Miguel Pendás
Jan 27, 2009

Oscar-nominated cinematographer César Charlone recently codirected his first theatrical feature film, a darkly comic farce about Pope John Paul II.

Sundance Blogs: 'Everything Strange and New' and 'La Mission'

Susan Gerhard
Jan 22, 2009

Susan Gerhard blogs on what is strange and new about watching movies in these particular mountains.

Sundance Blog: Urban Hiker's Guide

Susan Gerhard
Jan 20, 2009

Susan Gerhard reports on film and physique highlights at Sundance 2009.

Eddie Muller and Noir City

Sura Wood
Jan 18, 2009

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.

Sundance Blog: Midnight at the Egyptian

Hilary Hart
Jan 18, 2009

Hilary Hart blogs her 14th year at Sundance, back on the midnight shift at the Egyptian Theatre.

The Year in Film, 2008: Top Unreleased Films

Susan Gerhard
Dec 30, 2008

Bay Area filmmakers, critics and industry pros list their favorite unreleased films of 2008.

Québec Film Week's Unprovincial Pleasures

Dennis Harvey
Dec 10, 2008

Québec's thriving regional cinema is showcased in San Francisco Film Society's latest mini-festival addition to the annual Bay Area movie calendar.

Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black on 'Milk'

Michael Fox
Nov 23, 2008

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

12th Arab Film Festival

Robert Avila
Oct 20, 2008

In its 12th season, the country's first and largest independent exhibitor of Arab cinema has gotten to be one of the bigger small fests in the Bay Area.

Making 'Howl' and 'Babnik'

Michael Fox
Oct 14, 2008

Epstein and Friedman bring a poem to the screen, while a South Bay director goes Russian.

A Talk With Arab Film Festival's Executive Director

Michael Fox
Oct 13, 2008

We sat down with Michel Shehadeh, who joined the festival earlier this year, for a wide-ranging interview on Arab film.

Documenting the Lyme Epidemic

Michael Fox
Oct 9, 2008

Andy Abrahams Wilson talks about Under Our Skin, his elegantly crafted film on the underreported epidemic of Lyme disease.

SFFS's Inaugural French Cinema Now

Max Goldberg
Oct 7, 2008

The SFFS has added a Gallic counterpart to its long-running New Italian Cinema series.

Dead Channels 2008 Comes Alive

Dennis Harvey
Oct 3, 2008

Those inclined toward healthy doses of sleaze, gore, and retro-shlock can rejoice that it's time for the second annual edition of Dead Channels.

7th SF DocFest Program

Susan Gerhard
Sep 25, 2008

The 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.

'Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer'

Dennis Harvey
Sep 23, 2008

Whether you dig jazz or not, O'Day's charisma and story make this movie riveting.

Mendocino's Swine Country

Michael Fox
Sep 17, 2008

"Horror films can hold a lot of crazy ideas and political ideas and no one blinks," says Pig Hunt writer and producer Robert Mailer Anderson, "and that serves our purposes."

Ariella Ben-Dov's Madcat Archives

Matt Sussman
Sep 14, 2008

What do women want to watch? With Diane English’s recent unfunny and product placement-filled re-make of The Women hitting theaters last week, Hollywood’s answer, predictably, is more of the same.

Toronto 2008: Slow Food, Fast Festival

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 12, 2008

Every year, people grumble. Every year, someone points out how much worse it is than before. And every year, there are films that pull everyone out of the doldrums and guarantee it all continues. Welcome to this season’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Toronto 2008: Slow Food, Fast Festival

B. Ruby Rich
Sep 12, 2008

Every year, people grumble. Every year, someone points out how much worse it is than before. And every year, there are films that pull everyone out of the doldrums and guarantee it all continues. Welcome to this season’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Mill Valley's 31st Program

Susan Gerhard
Sep 10, 2008

This year's Mill Valley Film Festival shows healthy signs of life for the independent film business.

Scott Crocker's 'Ghost Bird' Phenomenon

Michael Fox
Sep 2, 2008

Scott Crocker's documentary brings the truth behind the "Lord God" bird phenomenon out of the bushes.

Rob Nilsson on Himself

Rob Nilsson
Aug 27, 2008

SF360.org asked this veteran indie auteur for his thoughts, which he gamely and intelligently offers here.

Second Stage of Film Arts Foundation's Legacy of Advocacy

Michael Fox
Aug 20, 2008

Film Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by 15 independent filmmakers in 1976, joins forces with SFFS.

'The Exiles,' a Return Engagement

Dennis Harvey
Jul 30, 2008

A film from 1961, The Exiles is a long-in-making unvarnished look at 12 hours in the lives of a group of American Indians who have come to Los Angeles.

S.F. Jewish Film Festival's Stein and Fishman

Michael Fox
Jul 21, 2008

Programmers for the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Peter Stein and Nancy Fishman, speak about never taking the path of least resistance.

A Week at Flaherty

Chi-hui Yang
Jul 18, 2008

On curating the Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, a social Petri dish that annually brings together a different programmer, a captive and engaged audience, and filmmakers.

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Mary B. Scott
Jul 9, 2008

Back at the Castro this weekend for the 13th year, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival presents a variety of titillating titles.

Frameline's New Lesson Plan

Lynn Rapoport
Jul 1, 2008

Critic's notebook: Marriage changes everything at the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

The World of 'Derek' at Frameline32

Max Goldberg
Jun 25, 2008

A documentary tribute to Derek Jarman, Isaac Julien's Derek does not seek to enlarge or complicate the filmmaker's legacy so much as succor its loss.

Critic's Notebook: Frameline32

Dennis Harvey
Jun 24, 2008

Critic Dennis Harvey reviews select films screened at the 32nd San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

Argentina's New Wave at Frameline

Matt Sussman
Jun 19, 2008

A look at the films in the 32nd San Francisco International LGBT FIlm Festival indicates the rise of Argentina's new wave.

Critic's Notebook: Hole Head, Week One

Dennis Harvey
Jun 17, 2008

Dennis Harvey covers the first week of low-budget geeks, weirdos and gore on display at the Another Hole in the Head Festival.

Strand's Marcus Hu and Frameline's Michael Lumpkin

Marcus Hu
Jun 16, 2008

Strand Releasing President Marcus Hu speaks with Frameline Artistic Director Lumpkin about Frameline, queer cinema and the future of this niche festival.]

The List: Michael Lumpkin Looks Back

Dennis Harvey
Jun 13, 2008

Michael Lumpkin's mini-retrospective of features that highlight some personal favorites that made waves at the Frameline Festival (and sometimes in the larger cinematic world).

SFFS Screen at Sundance Kabuki

Robert Avila
Jun 12, 2008

The SF Film Society is optimistic that its year-round screen at the Sundance Kabuki will contribute to the spectrum of films in Bay Area theaters.

San Francisco Black Film Festival's 10th

Dennis Harvey
Jun 4, 2008

In 2008 the San Francisco Black Film Festival marks its 10th anniversary with the most expansive program yet, flagging the theme "10 Years, 10 Days, 100 Films."

Dawn and David Katznelson

Miriam Wolf
Jun 2, 2008

Katznelson, a co-founder of the Dawn festival at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, sat down to talk about Judaism, culture, film and the festival.

Frameline's 32nd SFLGBT Festival Program

Susan Gerhard
May 20, 2008

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

In Other Words: Pacific Whims

Laura Irvine
May 8, 2008

As an Asian film fan, it's a miracle I keep my day job at this time of year.

In Other Words: States of Cinema, Music and Mind

Eve O'Neill
May 8, 2008

"There are no movies without music," Kevin Kelly asserted last Saturday in his State of Cinema address.

Capelle on Composers: Day Three

Staff
May 8, 2008

The final installment in the San Francisco composer and musician's blog from the 2008 SFIFF.

Cinemania at the SF International

Susan Gerhard
May 5, 2008

The Jules Feiffer quote at the bottom of festival superfan Sue Jean Halvorsen's email reads, "Movies are better than real life."

Seven from the Sonoma Valley Film Festival

Eve O'Neill
Apr 4, 2008

The Sonoma Valley Film Festival has gone to great lengths to enfold the event in its culinary surroundings. Complimentary food tastings will be offered before every single screening.

Earthdance Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival

Robert Avila
Apr 2, 2008

The fifth annual EarthDance Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival screens a juried compilation of 20 short films in two 90-minute installments.

Jeff Nichols on "Shotgun Stories"

Eve O'Neill
Mar 31, 2008

First-time writer/director Jeff Nichols discusses the inspiration behind Shotgun Stories, the initial hurdles in making the film, and the noble nature of his characters.

"Shelter"

Dennis Harvey
Mar 24, 2008

Writer/director Jonah Markowitz's Shelter is a romantic gay surfer that more than earns its spurs in terms of real-world credibility and psychology.

SFIAAFF's Taro Goto, Moving On

Sean Uyehara
Mar 19, 2008

Outgoing SFIAAFF's Associate Director reflects on what made him happy during his last year of work.

Q&A: Brillante Mendoza

Sean Uyehara
Mar 18, 2008

Filipino Director Brillante Mendoza discusses his aesthetic: a basic approach that resists facade and pretense and desires to depict to things as they really are.

Ten SFIAAFF Picks From Judy Stone

Susan Gerhard
Mar 13, 2008

Longtime San Francisco Chronicle film critic Judy Stone offers her top ten picks from the 2008 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 2008

Erika Young
Mar 12, 2008

The 26th annual SFIAAFF plays in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose, and kicks off with Wayne Wang's A Thousand Years of Good Prayers.

Cinequest's surprises

Dennis Harvey
Mar 7, 2008

A "discovery" festival from Day OneÑmeaning they premiere a lot of films, including many other fests might pass overÑSan Jose's Cinequest actually adopted "Discover" as motto for its 16th year.

SF Indiefest, From Day One

Eve O'Neill
Feb 13, 2008

Despite the blanket of financial and technical doom constantly smothering Independent Filmdom, Indiefest serves as a satisfying reminder that great indie film isn't going anywhere.

Eran Kolirin and "The Band's Visit"

Judy Stone
Feb 12, 2008

Underneath The Band's Visit's poignant humor, the film subtly reflects the director's attempt to comprehend Israel's pull between the Middle East and the West.

SF Indiefest at 10

Michael Fox
Feb 7, 2008

Way back in 1998, Jeff Ross founded the San Francisco Independent Film Festival to showcase iconoclastic, grassroots moviemakers locked out of the standard channels of distribution. As the 10th SF Indiefest kicks off tonight, Ross and his rotating cast of programmers remain as idealistic as ever, but the indie landscape has largely changed for the worse.

SF Indiefest Opening Night: Riding "Shotgun" With Jeff Nichols

Eve O'Neill
Feb 6, 2008

The first-time filmmaker managed to build, for under half a million dollars, a relatable story and characters with substance rarely seen in mainstream film.

SF Indiefest Opening Night: Riding "Shotgun" With Jeff Nichols

Eve O'Neill
Feb 6, 2008

The first-time filmmaker managed to build, for under half a million dollars, a relatable story and characters with substance rarely seen in mainstream film.

Alan K. Rode on Noir and Charles McGraw

Michael Fox
Jan 28, 2008

Alan K. Rode, a cofounder of the Film Noir Foundation, sang the praises of San Francisco movie audiences on the horn from L.A., then got down to brass tacks.

Art Stars of Sundance

Glen Helfand
Jan 25, 2008

At Sundance 2008, a swath of features, docs, installations, and projected art shared similar socio-political concerns, which they grappled with via well-honed aesthetic filters.

Noir City 2008

Max Goldberg
Jan 24, 2008

Noir City 6 offers a spread of special guests, rare titles, and newly struck prints across ten nights of double-features.

Peter Galison, "Secrecy," and Sundance

indieWIRE
Jan 22, 2008

Galison, whose film is competing at Sundance '08, answers questions about the world of hidden national security policy.

Gail Silva's Sundance Primer

Susan Gerhard
Jan 14, 2008

As filmmakers, fans, and skiers get zipped up to head off to Parka City for the annual Sundance Festival this week, SF360.org checked in with Gail Silva.

Berlin & Beyond at 13

Michael Fox
Jan 10, 2008

The Goethe-Institut's festival offers a pointed reminder that Germany, Austria and Switzerland aren't just in the center of Europe, but in the middle of international cinema.

Christopher Coppola Wants You

Robert Avila
Dec 6, 2007

Somewhere between iPhone and YouTube there’s a wee festival known as miniPAH. A more slender version of PAH-FEST, the touring weeklong digital film festival founded a year and a half ago by filmmaker Christopher Coppola, “miniPAH: San Francisco” happens this weekend at Coppola’s alma mater, San Francisco Art Institute, ahead of a full-fledged Bay Area PAH sometime next year.

Q&A with "Holly" Filmmakers

Jennifer Young
Dec 5, 2007

"I suddenly found myself surrounded by a group of 15 little [Cambodian] girls aggressively soliciting me for prostitution," Guy Jacobson told a MVFF audience.

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks's Midnight Movie Empire

Dennis Harvey
Dec 3, 2007

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

Robert Avila
Nov 30, 2007

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.

"Holly," an Unseasonably Sobering Drama

Dennis Harvey
Nov 28, 2007

U.S.-Cambodian co-production Holly might easily have gone straight to DVD, which would be a pity because it's well worth rushing to the theatre for.

Second S.F. International Animation Festival

Susan Gerhard
Nov 12, 2007

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.

International Latino Film Festival and S.F. International Animation Festival

Robert Avila
Nov 8, 2007

In the wake of Mexican cinema's triumphant showing at the 2007 Oscars, these films serve to confirm how some of the biggest surprises can come from the shortest of distances.

Sean Uyehara Talks S.F. International Animation Festival

Eve O'Neil
Nov 7, 2007

SFFS programmer Sean Uyehara gives some perspective on the shifting dimensions of animated filmmaking.

The 32nd American Indian Film Festival

Eve O'Neill
Nov 1, 2007

This festival is home to an array of talent that promotes Indians in roles other than that of Indians, in movies other than westerns.

The 32nd American Indian Film Festival

Eve O'Neill
Nov 1, 2007

This festival is home to an array of talent that promotes Indians in roles other than that of Indians, in movies other than westerns.

The 11th Arab Film Festival

Robert Avila
Oct 18, 2007

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.

Mill Valley Film Festival 30

Dennis Harvey
Oct 15, 2007

Mill Valley retains its genuinely alterna-vibe and local (rather than professional outta-towner) audience after 30 years.

Mill Valley Film Festival 30

Dennis Harvey
Oct 15, 2007

Mill Valley retains its genuinely alterna-vibe and local (rather than professional outta-towner) audience after 30 years.

Nine Questions for Rob Nilsson

Dennis Harvey
Oct 5, 2007

SF360.org caught up with the filmmaker, who has been extraordinarily prolific since abandoning celluloid for the lighter, cheaper, more flexible digital realm.

Mill Valley Film Festival at 30

Dennis Harvey
Oct 4, 2007

The Mill Valley Film Festival turns 30 years young this year, sporting none of the girth and wobbly ankles suffered by other way-out-west fests that began life in 1978.

SF Docfest Report

Robert Avila
Sep 27, 2007

Reality, generally considered over-rated by the moving-going public, is the unapologetic core of SF DocFest.

Ariella Ben-Dov, Madcat Mastermind

Susan Gerhard
Sep 24, 2007

As the Madcat Women's International Film Festival heads into its final stretch this coming week in San Francisco, SF360.org felt it was important to catch up with its chief curator, Ariella Ben-Dov.

Telluride in Transition

Michael Fox
Aug 29, 2007

An intimate four-day buffet of tributes, premieres, restorations, and revivals laid out in the Colorado mountains, Telluride is an oasis for film lovers.

Peaches Christ Superstar

Claire Faggioli
Aug 22, 2007

A conversation with Joshua Grannel, a.k.a. Peaches Christ, founder and host of camp/cult-fest extravaganza Midnight Mass.

Bruce Fletcher, Dead Channels and the Living

Dennis Harvey
Aug 6, 2007

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

Marc Huestis on the Runway

Michael Guillen
Jul 30, 2007

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

Fabulous Fashion in Film

Dennis Harvey
Jul 26, 2007

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

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

Michael Fox
Jul 19, 2007

Savvy moviegoers outside the target demographic have learned to scout the niche fests' programs for films that premiered to raves at Berlin or Cannes.

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

Michael Fox
Jul 19, 2007

Savvy moviegoers outside the target demographic have learned to scout the niche fests' programs for films that premiered to raves at Berlin or Cannes.

A Frozen Film Festival five

Claire Faggioli
Jul 13, 2007

The List: Frozen Film Festival is a small festival that hopes to capitalize on the fact that San Franciscans like to stay indoors in the summer.

'Joshua's' George Ratliff

indieWIRE
Jul 11, 2007

George Ratliff talks about his first feature narrative Joshua, described by Sundance as a "horror story disguised as a sophisticated family drama."

Stacey Wisnia, talking silent pictures

Sean Uyehara
Jul 9, 2007

Stacey Wisnia has been a vibrant fixture in the San Francisco film scene for years and has became the Executive Director of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival,

International Stories Find Audiences at L.A. Film Fest

Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
Jul 3, 2007

"People in this town are coming to realize that Los Angeles needs a world-class film festival," proclaimed Rich Raddon, who's led LAFF since 1999.

Frameline31

Dennis Harvey
Jun 14, 2007

Now past its third-decade anniversary, SFILGBTFF — the producing organization keeps trying to change its public-recognition name to something more manageable, which this annum would be Frameline31 — now has filmmakers and distributors banging on its door.

Frameline31

Dennis Harvey
Jun 14, 2007

Now past its third-decade anniversary, SFILGBTFF — the producing organization keeps trying to change its public-recognition name to something more manageable, which this annum would be Frameline31 — now has filmmakers and distributors banging on its door.

Jackson Hole Film Festival

Ben Friedland
Jun 13, 2007

Strangely enough, perhaps the most compelling reason to attend the Jackson Hole fest is precisely the reason not to see a film: Jackson Hole itself.

Lumpkin and Morris on Frameline's Big Picture

Susan Gerhard
Jun 11, 2007

Frameline directors Michael Lumpkin and Jennifer Morris speak about the programming, controversy and the landscape of LGBT films.

San Francisco Black Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
Jun 7, 2007

Nine years' vintage makes the SFBFF a newcomer by Bay Area standards. In terms of programmatic diversity and premieres, it's got old-soul depth.

San Francisco Black Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
Jun 7, 2007

Nine years' vintage makes the SFBFF a newcomer by Bay Area standards. In terms of programmatic diversity and premieres, it's got old-soul depth.

Dennis Nyback and "Bad Bugs Bunny"

Michael Guillen
Jun 6, 2007

"SF Indiefest: Gets Animated," piggybacking on the 4th Annual Another Hole in the Head Film Festival, co-presents an animation program with the popular archivist.

"The Prodigy," The Roxie, Delirium, God

Michael Guillen
May 30, 2007

San Franciscans have a poignant symbiotic relationship with William Kaufman's freshman feature, The Prodigy, which returns to the city this week.

Liane Yasumoto and Superfest International Disability Film Festival

Susan Gerhard
May 27, 2007

A week before the 27th festival, SF360.org spoke with the executive director on what Superfest gets about disability that the rest of the filmmaking world doesn't.

Guillen's Top Five from Another Hole in the Head

Michael Guillen
May 25, 2007

Five recommendations chosen from among the gore, ghouls, ghosts, gags, and animation at Indiefest's Holehead festival.

2007 Mendocino Film Festival

Robert Avila
May 24, 2007

The four-day festival offered over 100 films, with an emphasis on documentaries, and attracted some 60 filmmakers, including Albert Maysles.

Frameline Announces 31st Program

Susan Gerhard
May 23, 2007

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

SFIFF50, Diving In

Johnny Ray Huston
May 8, 2007

The 50th annual SF International Film Festival is as good a time to put forth an argument. Here’s one: The most compelling movie stars of the current era are athletes, and the most dynamic 21st-century cinema is sports cinema.

Film Society Awards Night

Brian Brooks/indieWIRE
May 4, 2007

If the Bay Area oozed self-regard last night, it couldn't exactly be blamed.

Digital Festival

Michael Fox
May 2, 2007

Movies are shifting at mach speed from the theater to the home. The future is at hand.

Digital Festival

Michael Fox
May 2, 2007

Movies are shifting at mach speed from the theater to the home. The future is at hand.

Picturing Politics at SFIFF50

Robert Avila
May 1, 2007

A shot in Wonders Are Many makes visual reference to Guernica as shorthand for art's charge to speak for the voiceless.

Picturing Politics at SFIFF50

Robert Avila
May 1, 2007

A shot in Wonders Are Many makes visual reference to Guernica as shorthand for art's charge to speak for the voiceless.

Daniel Wu, Heavenly King

Jennifer Young
Apr 30, 2007

Daniel Wu and fictitious boy band Alive from his directorial debut The Heavenly Kings on Cantpop, the Bay Area, and Hong Kong film.

SF360 Film Culture Confidential: Shhhhhh....

Staff
Apr 28, 2007

How did Kink.com make it to the Mission? How did Straight Outta Hunters Point get out of Hunters Point? How'd the Roxie get saved?

SFIFF50

Dennis Harvey
Apr 26, 2007

A decade might be long enough in dog years, but in film festival terms it takes a bit more time to impress.

A Festival, a Half Century

B. Ruby Rich
Apr 24, 2007

Is there anyone who doesn't know that the San Francisco International Film Festival is turning 50 this month?

A Festival, a Half Century

B. Ruby Rich
Apr 24, 2007

Is there anyone who doesn't know that the San Francisco International Film Festival is turning 50 this month?

Jon Else On Acts of Creation

Michael Fox
Apr 23, 2007

Wonders 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.

Uyehara Hits High Notes on Music of SFIFF50

Sean Uyehara
Apr 20, 2007

Thinking about the upcoming SFIFF, music may not be the first thing that pops into your head. It may not even be the second.

Dead Channels : The San Francisco Festival of Fantastic Film

Dennis Harvey
Apr 19, 2007

Taste a bit of the vintage grindhouse experience at the last of Dead Channels' Month of Sleazy Sundays triple bill of under-the-radar movies.

Sonoma Valley Film Festival

Staff
Apr 12, 2007

At many larger fests, daily life is less a stroll in the park than a pentathalon. The SVFF is all about the good life.

Sonoma Valley Film Festival

Staff
Apr 12, 2007

At many larger fests, daily life is less a stroll in the park than a pentathalon. The SVFF is all about the good life.

SFIFF50-philes

Susan Gerhard
Apr 11, 2007



Just a week out of the SFIFF50 press conference at the Westin St. Francis, and the buzz has already had a chance to build. SF360.org checked in with a few friends in the San Francisco filmmaking scene to see what they’re looking forward to in the 50th edition of the SF International Film Festival. Big winners: Guy Maddin’s “Brand Upon the Brain!” and, of course, the live and in-person tribute to Spike Lee, who — as Strand Releasing’s Marcus Hu reminds us — returns to the Bay Area to receive his Film Society Directing Award in spite of the fact the projector broke during the premiere of “She’s Gotta Have It” at the SFIFF more than 20 years ago.



I’m eager to see Camila Guzman Urzula’s documentary “The Sugar Curtain” for perspectives on life in Cuba from those in their twenties and thirties. I’m curious about how a savvy film critic like Wesley Morris will interview Spike Lee. It will be a welcome occurrence to see two Black men talking on a US festival stage about film.
Cornelius Moore
California Newsreel



“Audience of One:” I know this year the festival is honoring Lucas and Coppola and those guys as local heroes, but really. Hollywood North? What happened? Now here is a group of makers, Pentacostals no less, working on a gargantuan bible epic right down on Ocean Avenue in the old El Rey Theatre. Now that’s hot!
Christian Bruno
Strand, A Natural History of Cinema



Although I’ve already seen it, I look forward to attending the one-off screening of Guy Maddin’s “Brand Upon the Brain!” since each live performance, by design, differs somewhat from the last. No self-respecting (or, for that matter, self-deprecating) cineaste should miss it. Beyond that, I’m particularly interested in Alain Resnais’ latest, “Coeurs” (i.e., “Private Fears in Public Places,” which, due to timing conflicts, I missed in Toronto), reuniting the director with the exceptional playwright Alan Ayckbourn. I remain quite fond of his recent films even if most folks in this country seem to disregard his work after “Mon oncle d’Amerique,” released over a quarter-century ago.
Jonathan Marlow
GreenCine



I love that SFIFF is honoring Spike Lee, I saw “She’s Gotta Have It” when it had its world premiere at SFIFF and remembered what an amazing experience that was when the projector broke!
Marcus Hu
Strand Releasing



I first started attending SFIFF in 1964 while still in high school. I saw the independent “The Luck of Ginger Coffey,” directed by Irvin Kershner and starring Robert Shaw, a fascinating documentary look at a country

S.F. International Announces Lineup for 50th

Susan Gerhard
Apr 4, 2007

The festival kicks off with Emanuele Crialese's Golden Door and closes with Olivier Dahan's Edith Piaf biopic, La vie en rose.

Grace Lee on the Zombie in You and Me

Miljenko Skoknic
Mar 23, 2007

Director Grace Lee talks about the personal horror movie genre in American Zombie and the ethical dilemmas documentary filmmakers face.

Video-Diary Pioneer Spencer Nakasako

Michael Fox
Mar 17, 2007

Spencer Nakasako gets the credit for starting the still-cresting wave of first-person camcorder documentaries back in 1995, but he claims it was largely an accident.

A Royal Family

Susan Gerhard
Feb 21, 2007

It's a big week for Peter Morgan, partly because the SFFS announced he'll receive the Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting at the 50th SFIFF.

Film Arts Foundation's 'Bay Area Film Festivals'

Michael Read
Feb 16, 2007

Boasting dozens upon dozens of homegrown events anchored by the country's most visible festivals, San Francisco has evolved into the quintessential festival town.

Film Arts Foundation's 'Bay Area Film Festivals'

Michael Read
Feb 16, 2007

Boasting dozens upon dozens of homegrown events anchored by the country's most visible festivals, San Francisco has evolved into the quintessential festival town.

S.F. International Asian American Announces '07 Program

Susan Gerhard
Feb 14, 2007

This year's 125 films follow the fest's growth from 13 films in 1982 in the wake of Wayne Wang's Chan is Missing.

S.F. International Asian American Announces '07 Program

Susan Gerhard
Feb 14, 2007

This year's 125 films follow the fest's growth from 13 films in 1982 in the wake of Wayne Wang's Chan is Missing.

The Other Side of Indie at SF Indiefest's 9th

Max Goldberg
Feb 8, 2007

The alarm has been sounding for some time now that "indie" doesn't mean what it used to. Jeff Ross simply ignores the cranky clamor.

The Eye Candy of 'Tears of the Black Tiger'

Dennis Harvey
Feb 6, 2007

Tears of the Black Tiger is Thai eye candy, an exercise pastiche where color just about leaps off the screen, and a star-crossed love story.

A Superdance and a Superbowl

Susan Gerhard
Jan 31, 2007

Wrapping up Sundance Ô07, with the NFL's big game as the best metaphor to describe the annual festival.

Noir City5, Fun with Dicks and Janes

Robert Avila
Jan 25, 2007

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

Berlin & Beyond 2007

Dennis Harvey
Jan 11, 2007

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

SF to Sundance

Susan Gerhard
Dec 8, 2006

At least three Bay Area-based filmmakers will be making the trek to Park City this year, Jon Else, Steven Okazaki, and Jay Rosenblatt.

A Cinequest 35

Susan Gerhard
Nov 17, 2006

Cinequest announces a plan to distribute indie films via DVD, the Internet, TV, and some traditional theatrical sales.

A Cinequest 35

Susan Gerhard
Nov 17, 2006

Cinequest announces a plan to distribute indie films via DVD, the Internet, TV, and some traditional theatrical sales.

Second Look at 3rd I

Jennifer Young
Nov 14, 2006

Three days, nine films, eight shorts, and endless bliss courtesy of last weekend's fourth annual 3rd I South Asian Film Festival.

Cinema, New Italian Style

Michael Fox
Nov 9, 2006

The relationship between intellectualism and passion, a distinctly Italian concern, propels the 2006 edition of New Italian Cinema.

A U.N. Ten

Robert Avila
Oct 20, 2006

The List: Ten to catch at the 9th annual United Nations Association Film Festival October 25 through 29 at Stanford University in Palo Alto.

"One Man Band," two Pixar geniuses, and "The Iron Giant" revisited

Sean Uyehara
Oct 13, 2006

Mark Andrews and Andrew Jimenez co-wrote and co-directed the unexpected, surprisingly funny short about two musicians vying for a young girl's lone coin.

San Francisco International Animation Showcase

Johnny Ray Huston
Oct 12, 2006

San Francisco Film Society programming associate Sean Uyehara has pulled off a feat with the opening program for the first San Francisco International Animation Showcase.

Dog Day Afternoon in the Castro

Laura Irvine and Jennifer Young
Oct 11, 2006

Crossdressers, canines, and Cruellas de Vil occupied the Castro theater last weekend as part of the first Canine Film Festival.

Mill Valley Film Festival 2006

Dennis Harvey
Oct 5, 2006

By the youth-rhetoric standards of another era, this is the last year we can trust the Mill Valley Film Festival. Next year, it turns 30.

Mill Valley Film Festival 2006

Dennis Harvey
Oct 5, 2006

By the youth-rhetoric standards of another era, this is the last year we can trust the Mill Valley Film Festival. Next year, it turns 30.

Two Wheels, Five Films

Justin Juul
Sep 29, 2006

People-powered transportation propels the movies in the 2006 Bicycle Film Fest.

Global Lens 2006

Michael Fox
Sep 21, 2006

The annual series of films from countries with less developed or out-of-favor national cinemas has several winners.

Global Lens 2006

Michael Fox
Sep 21, 2006

The annual series of films from countries with less developed or out-of-favor national cinemas has several winners.

Mill Valley Film Festival 2006 Announcement

Susan Gerhard
Sep 13, 2006

Tributes to Helen Mirren and Tim Robbins highlight the 29th annual edition .

Mill Valley Film Festival 2006 Announcement

Susan Gerhard
Sep 13, 2006

Tributes to Helen Mirren and Tim Robbins highlight the 29th annual edition .

Ariella Ben-Dov on View-Mastery and "Women's Work"

Susan Gerhard
Sep 11, 2006

The founder of the Madcat International Film Festival talks about the 2006 lineup.

Arab Film Festival 2006

Robert Avila
Sep 7, 2006

Executive director Bashir Anastas discusses this year's lineup.

Telluride Film Festival 2006

Hilary Hart
Sep 5, 2006

A longtime seasonal staffer recounts her experience and highlights at the '06 fest.

Netflix Rolling Roadshow: Return to Alcatraz

Jennifer Young
Aug 30, 2006

Austin's Alamo Drafthouse Cinema touring program brings classics to the locations they made famous, with a mobile outdoor projection unit and inflatable screen.

Fall 2006 Festival Season

Susan Gerhard
Aug 25, 2006

SF360 checks in with a few Bay Area festival insiders to see what they're excited about at upcoming festivals.

Academy Grant Jump Starts SF International's 50th

Susan Gerhard
Aug 23, 2006

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Academy Foundation bestowed a surprise grant of $150,000 over three years.

A Tale of Two Shorts Festivals

Robert Avila
Aug 10, 2006

SF Shorts and the SF Underground Short Film Festival provide a big-screen showcase for oft-overlooked short subjects.

A Tale of Two Shorts Festivals

Robert Avila
Aug 10, 2006

SF Shorts and the SF Underground Short Film Festival provide a big-screen showcase for oft-overlooked short subjects.

ZeroOne Through Ten

Susan Gerhard
Aug 4, 2006

The List: ZeroOne San Jose Global Festival of Art on the Edge presents an array of = augmented realities, artificial intelligences, and interactive pieces.

Amos Gitai's Reality

Michael Fox
Aug 1, 2006

The veteran Israeli filmmaker, in town for the Jewish Film Festival, talks about radical art and Free Zone.

Overview of the S.F. Jewish Film Festival

Michael Fox
Jul 20, 2006

The sudden climate change in the Middle East has had a tone-altering effect on the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, where the war will be Topic A.

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Mary B. Scott
Jul 13, 2006

Back at the Castro this weekend for the 13th year, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival presents a variety of titillating titles.

Best of Balboa

Susan Gerhard
Jul 7, 2006

We checked in with Gary Meyer to find out what films have rocked the 1926 foundations of the Balboa in the past six years.

Critic's Notebook, Frameline30

Dennis Harvey
Jun 22, 2006

S.F. International LGBT Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary as a forum for the LGBT community to celebrate its own hard-won survival and progress. 

San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
Jun 15, 2006

Highlights from San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival's 30th annual edition.

The San Francisco Black Film Festival

Cheryl Eddy
Jun 12, 2006

Highlights of San Francisco Black Film Festival's eighth annual edition.

Rare Horror

Dennis Harvey
Jun 8, 2006

Highlights from the 4th year ofAnother Hole in the Head, the S.F. Indiefest-produced celebration of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and just plain sick cinema.

A Conversation with Farmer John (Peterson)

Susan Gerhard
May 30, 2006

A conversation with John Peterson on his unusual farming practices, and the documentary that captures them.

Frameline's 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival

Susan Gerhard
May 23, 2006

The 2006 program for the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival features an eclectic mix of genres and narrative types.

Frameline's 30th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival

Susan Gerhard
May 23, 2006

The 2006 program for the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival features an eclectic mix of genres and narrative types.

Creative Offerings at the Icelandic Film Festival

Dennis Harvey
May 21, 2006

The third annual Icelandic Film Festival offers just two features and one short, but it's all very, very good.

Four Performers on Getting "Fired!"

Susan Gerhard
May 19, 2006

Four stories from familiar performers who once found themselves in the "formerly employed by" category, taken from Fired!, which plays Docfest 2006.

Docfest: Not to Be Believed?

Susan Gerhard
May 11, 2006

Docfest founder Jeff Ross explains the S.F. Indie empire's definition of reality filmmaking.

Werner Herzog, Setting the Record Straight

Robert Avila
May 9, 2006

The 2006 recipient of the Film Society Directing Award was full of raised-finger pronouncements, self-effacing demurrals, and unsolicited rebuttals at a Q&A preceding his film.

San Francisco International Film Festival's Award Winners

Susan Gerhard
May 5, 2006

A complete list of the winners of the Golden Gate Awards show, which was all about celebrating the city, with filmmakers of all genres saying a kind word or two about it.

Addictive TV's VJ-style "Eye of the Pilot" at the Kabuki

Michael Fox
May 3, 2006

An intimate group caught Addictive TV's VJ-style show of ÔEye of the Pilot' at the Kabuki, and stayed late for an enthusiastic Q&A.

San Francisco International Film Festival, Week Two

Cheryl Eddy
May 1, 2006

The second week of the 49th SFIFF was packed with tributes and special events, luring diverse crowds with honorees like Werner Herzog and Ed Harris.

Words on work with Michael Glawogger

Michael Fox
May 1, 2006

A conversation with director Michael Glawogger on his film, Workingman's Death, which screens at the 2006 SFIFF.

Tommy Pallotta's Reanimation of "A Scanner Darkly"

Daniel Cowles
Apr 18, 2006

The producer talks about the barriers filmmakers have faced in bringing Philip K. Dick's novel to the screen.

Cinephiles and Oenophiles: Sommelier Pairings for Sonoma Valley Fest

Miriam Wolf
Apr 7, 2006

You can sunbathe topless at Cannes and ski at Sundance, and drink your fill of fine wine at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival.

Picks for the San Francisco International Film Festival

Susan Gerhard
Mar 31, 2006

The List: B. Ruby Rich picks her favorites for the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival.

Picks for the San Francisco International Film Festival

Susan Gerhard
Mar 31, 2006

The List: B. Ruby Rich picks her favorites for the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival.

Tehran Contemporary Art Exhibit On Tour

Robert Avila
Mar 23, 2006

The documentary Persian Garden chronicles the grandest art exhibition in Iran since the 1979 Revolution.

Tiburon Film Festival Turns a Tourist Town Around

Louise Carroll
Mar 9, 2006

The newest film festival on the dock, Tiburon International, turns a tourist town around.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival: More Than "Watching"

Robert Avila
Mar 2, 2006

HRW's series of films chosen for aesthetic value and human rights content continues to grow as it stays true to its roots.