• Deadlines
  
  

  Opportunities for Filmmakers

  Dec 31, 2012

  The Deadlines section of sf360.org is a large but selective list of festival calls for entry, upcoming seminars, artist residencies, grant and award deadlines and other opportunities for filmmakers. Are we missing an important deadline? Please write us at sgerhard[at]sffs.org.

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Funding: Catapult Film Fund

  Nov 7, 2011

  Catapult Film Fund provides early development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell. It supports powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives. ELIGIBILITY: Applicant must be 18 or older. Catapult Film Fund does not award grants for student films. Documentary projects must be 28 minutes or longer. Development funds must specifically be used to complete early writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place. Applicants must be independent producers. They must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control of their project. Applicants must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role as demonstrated by submitting previously completed work sample. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have successfully fund-raised for an independent documentary film, in line with its original budget. AWARDS: Catapult Film Fund development grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. DEADLINE: November 7, 2011. WEBSITE: catapultfilmfund.org/.
  

  
• 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.

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Opportunities: Rough Cuts

  Nov 1, 2011

  Rough Cuts is a series of work-in-progress documentary screenings that are produced at a variety of locations throughout San Francisco. The next event (November 14, 2011; 7:30 p.m.) features one rough cut of a feature-length documentary and then a conversation about the film. The post-screening discussion is designed to give the filmmaker a better, more objective sense of what is working and not working with the film, with particular attention paid to improving the film's structure and narrative clarity. ELIGIBILITY: Rough Cuts is currently accepting submissions for the next event. If you are editing a documentary that is over 40 minutes long and are seeking feedback, they encourage you to submit. Principal photography should have been completed, and filmmakers tare encouraged to submit films that are in the later stages of post-production. AWARDS: Invaluable feedback and constructive criticism. DEADLINE: November 1, 2011. Submissions must arrive by 5:00 p.m. WEBSITE: sfroughcuts.com/index.html.
  

  
• 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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Thompson on Hollywood: "Film Independent Names Lab Participants, Sloan Award Winners"

  Oct 24, 2011

  "After their weekend-long Film Independent Forum," reports Sophia Savage, "FIND announced eleven filmmakers and nine projects for their 11th annual Producers Lab, and named Brent Hoff and Malcom Pullinger the winners of the 5th annual $25,000 Sloan Producers Grant." More at indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Wired: "At Popcorn Hackathon, Coders Team With Filmmakers to Supercharge Web Video"

  Oct 20, 2011

  "Filmmakers and coders hunkered down for two days of creative collaboration here during a first-of-its-kind hackathon that explored the future of web video — specifically Popcorn.js, Mozilla’s HTML5 media toolkit designed to amp up interactivity" reports Angela Watercutter. More at wired.com.

  
• 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.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Clean White Lines Demos DIY Ethos

  Jessica Sapick
  Oct 18, 2011

  Can three film school grads from San Francisco break out without the help of Hollywood or New York connections?

  
• Home
  
  

  Clean White Lines Demos DIY Ethos

  Jessica Sapick
  Oct 18, 2011

  Can three film school grads from San Francisco break out without the help of Hollywood or New York connections?

  
• October 20, 2011
  
  

  Clean White Lines Demos DIY Ethos

  Jessica Sapick
  Oct 18, 2011

  Can three film school grads from San Francisco break out without the help of Hollywood or New York connections?

  
• Home
  
  

  Where Are their Stories?

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Oct 17, 2011

  The best is yet come for Mexican wunderkind Nicolás Pereda, whose elliptical narratives allow room meditation and imagination on the part of a viewer.

  
• October 20, 2011
  
  

  Where Are their Stories?

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Oct 17, 2011

  The best is yet come for Mexican wunderkind Nicolás Pereda, whose elliptical narratives allow room meditation and imagination on the part of a viewer.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Where Are their Stories?

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Oct 17, 2011

  The best is yet come for Mexican wunderkind Nicolás Pereda, whose elliptical narratives allow room meditation and imagination on the part of a viewer.

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Funding: TFI Documentary Fund

  Oct 10, 2011

  The TFI Documentary Fund provides grants and guidance to exceptional filmmakers developing engaging feature-length documentaries which emphasize character and that allow audiences to consider history, culture and society through the experiences of extraordinary individuals. ELIGIBILITY: Submissions must be non-fiction motion pictures with an intended length of at least 70 minutes and should creatively document unique character(s); submissions can be in the advanced stages of development, production or post-production and must not have aired on any form. Foreign language documentaries are eligible, but must be subtitled and suitable for an American audience. Applicants must be over 18-years old. $25 entry fee. AWARDS: Grants of at least $10,000 will be awarded in 2012. DEADLINE: October 10, 2011. WEBSITE: tribecafilminstitute.org/tfi_documentary/.
  

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Funding: TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund

  Oct 10, 2011

  The TFI Latin America Media Arts Fund supports innovative film and video artists who are living or working in Mexico, Central and South America and working independently in their efforts to reach a larger audience. ELIGIBILITY: Submissions must be animation, documentary and/or hybrid feature-length films with an intended length of at least 70 minutes. Submissions must be in production or post-production and must not have aired on any form of television, been screened publicly or have been distributed in theaters or via the internet. Projects may be in any language or dialect. Applicants must be over 18 years old. Student films and stand-alone short films are not eligible for submission. $25 entry fee. AWARDS: Last year, the Fund administered $10,000 grants to four selected films. In addition to funding, each grantee will receive a U.S. based advisor and guidance from the Tribeca Film Institute. DEADLINE: October 10, 2011. WEBSITE: tribecafilminstitute.org/filmmakers/latin_fund/.
  

  
• Home
  
  

  Slade Channels Broughton’s ‘Big Joy’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2011

  Artistic integrity is always in short supply, which makes Broughton an inspiration for every successive generation of poets and filmmakers.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Slade Channels Broughton’s ‘Big Joy’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2011

  Artistic integrity is always in short supply, which makes Broughton an inspiration for every successive generation of poets and filmmakers.

  
• September 29 2011
  
  

  Slade Channels Broughton’s ‘Big Joy’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 28, 2011

  Artistic integrity is always in short supply, which makes Broughton an inspiration for every successive generation of poets and filmmakers.

  
• Home
  
  

  On Chronicling Criminals

  George Rush
  Sep 27, 2011

  Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.

  
• Legal
  
  

  On Chronicling Criminals

  George Rush
  Sep 27, 2011

  Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.

  
• September 29 2011
  
  

  On Chronicling Criminals

  George Rush
  Sep 27, 2011

  Though it's legal to film illegal acts, crime can certainly complicate your filmmaking process.

  
• Home
  
  

  Weimberg, Ryan Pick Berkeley ‘Brain’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 21, 2011

  Two Berkeley filmmakers tap vitality of 84-year-old neuroscientist Dr. Marian Diamond.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Weimberg, Ryan Pick Berkeley ‘Brain’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 21, 2011

  Two Berkeley filmmakers tap vitality of 84-year-old neuroscientist Dr. Marian Diamond.

  
• september 22 2011
  
  

  Weimberg, Ryan Pick Berkeley ‘Brain’

  Michael Fox
  Sep 21, 2011

  Two Berkeley filmmakers tap vitality of 84-year-old neuroscientist Dr. Marian Diamond.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  SFFS Announces Winners of Documentary Film Fund Awards

  Sep 21, 2011

  Press release: The San Francisco Film Society today announced the three winners of the inaugural SFFS Documentary Film Fund grants. The Fund was created to support the postproduction of singular feature-length nonfiction film work that is distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters and an innovative visual approach. Each year from 2011 to 2013, a total of $100,000 will be disbursed to further new work by documentary filmmakers nationwide. Winners are: Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, An American Promise, $25,000; Priya Desai and Ann Kim, Match +, $25,000; Zachary Heinzerling, Cutie & the Boxe, $50,000. For more information go to: sffs.org/filmmaker-services.

  
• Home
  
  

  Identifying Your Documentary’s Signature Style

  Karen Everett
  Sep 20, 2011

  Developing a style that sets your film apart is key to capturing audience attention in nonfiction.

  
• september 22 2011
  
  

  Identifying Your Documentary’s Signature Style

  Karen Everett
  Sep 20, 2011

  Developing a style that sets your film apart is key to capturing audience attention in nonfiction.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  Identifying Your Documentary’s Signature Style

  Karen Everett
  Sep 20, 2011

  Developing a style that sets your film apart is key to capturing audience attention in nonfiction.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

  B. Ruby Rich
  Sep 18, 2011

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

  
• Home
  
  

  Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

  B. Ruby Rich
  Sep 18, 2011

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

  
• september 22 2011
  
  

  Dark Thoughts Fill TIFF’s Lightbox

  B. Ruby Rich
  Sep 18, 2011

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

  
• September 13 2011
  
  

  'Taxi Driver' & 'Blast of Silence'

  Sep 15, 2011

  SF's largest single screen shows a new restoration print of Martin Scorsese's grime classic, 'Taxi Driver.' Playing on the same double-bill is underseen noir 'Blast of Silence', an influence on filmmakers from Scorsese to Lars von Trier. More info at castrotheatre.com.

  
• Home
  
  

  Kuchar, Belson Bid Adieu

  Michael Fox
  Sep 8, 2011

  San Francisco loses two of its cinema icons, pioneering 'camp humorist' George Kuchar and seminal experimental filmmaker Jordan Belson. George Kuchar, the beloved San Francisco filmmaker, teacher, mentor and friend, died Tuesday night, September 6, at the age of 69. He passed away at Coming Home Hospice in the Castro, where he resided for the last month. Kuchar had been diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago, but the sad news was not conveyed beyond a circle of close friends until recently. Kuchar and his twin brother, Mike, began making movies in their teens in their Bronx neighborhood in the late ’50s. Inspired by the florid emotions of Hollywood melodramas, they made 8mm narratives that were funny...

  
• September 8 2011
  
  

  Kuchar, Belson Bid Adieu

  Michael Fox
  Sep 8, 2011

  San Francisco loses two of its cinema icons, pioneering 'camp humorist' George Kuchar and seminal experimental filmmaker Jordan Belson. George Kuchar, the beloved San Francisco filmmaker, teacher, mentor and friend, died Tuesday night, September 6, at the age of 69. He passed away at Coming Home Hospice in the Castro, where he resided for the last month. Kuchar had been diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago, but the sad news was not conveyed beyond a circle of close friends until recently. Kuchar and his twin brother, Mike, began making movies in their teens in their Bronx neighborhood in the late ’50s. Inspired by the florid emotions of Hollywood melodramas, they made 8mm narratives that were funny...

  
• Home
  
  

  Stigma, Satisfaction Drive Indian 'Match' Game

  Michael Fox
  Sep 6, 2011

  Priya Giri Desai documents matchmaking efforts for HIV-positives in India.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Stigma, Satisfaction Drive Indian 'Match' Game

  Michael Fox
  Sep 6, 2011

  Priya Giri Desai documents matchmaking efforts for HIV-positives in India.

  
• September 8 2011
  
  

  Stigma, Satisfaction Drive Indian 'Match' Game

  Michael Fox
  Sep 6, 2011

  Priya Giri Desai documents matchmaking efforts for HIV-positives in India.

  
• Home
  
  

  Graham Leggat: Filmmakers, Writers, Fans Remember

  Susan Gerhard
  Aug 30, 2011

  When news of San Francisco Executive Director Graham Leggat’s passing hit the web, responses were heartfelt and immediate. SF360 collects a few of those thoughts.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Graham Leggat: Filmmakers, Writers, Fans Remember

  Susan Gerhard
  Aug 30, 2011

  When news of San Francisco Executive Director Graham Leggat’s passing hit the web, responses were heartfelt and immediate. SF360 collects a few of those thoughts.

  
• September 1, 2011
  
  

  Graham Leggat: Filmmakers, Writers, Fans Remember

  Susan Gerhard
  Aug 30, 2011

  When news of San Francisco Executive Director Graham Leggat’s passing hit the web, responses were heartfelt and immediate. SF360 collects a few of those thoughts.

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Funding: The Roy W. Dean LA August Grant

  Aug 30, 2011

  The Roy W. Dean Film and Writing Grants fund shorts, documentaries and low budget independent features. ELIGIBILITY: New film and video projects (including works-in-progress) that are unique and benefit the society. Student filmmakers, independent producers or independent production companies are all welcome. AWARDS: Winner gets a variety of awards including scholarships and cash prizes for different production fields. DEADLINE: August 30, 2011. WEBSITE: fromtheheartproductions.com/grant-lavideo.shtml.
  

  
• August 25, 2011
  
  

  Susannah Greason Robbins on Growing the City’s Film Industry

  Jackson Scarlett
  Aug 22, 2011

  The San Francisco’s Film Commission's executive director offers notes on new incentives for production in the city.

  
• Home
  
  

  Susannah Greason Robbins on Growing the City’s Film Industry

  Jackson Scarlett
  Aug 22, 2011

  The San Francisco’s Film Commission's executive director offers notes on new incentives for production in the city.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Susannah Greason Robbins on Growing the City’s Film Industry

  Jackson Scarlett
  Aug 22, 2011

  The San Francisco’s Film Commission's executive director offers notes on new incentives for production in the city.

  
• Home
  
  

  'Vigilante, Vigilante' Opens Can of Worms

  Michael Fox
  Aug 18, 2011

  Filmmakers find themselves outside the 'buffer' zone as film about graffiti-abaters hits local screens, and streets. Editor's note: Vigilante, Vigilante: The Battle for Expression, a Bay Area-made film on graffiti "abatement," opened with a clamor last weekend at the Roxie, as San Francisco's Department of Public Works made an issue of cleaning up the film's street-art advertising campaign. The filmmakers responded that they've asked that their materials not be posted illegally, but that hasn't stopped DPW requesting them to cease and desist attracting audiences via wheatpaste. What follows is sf360.org's interview...

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  'Vigilante, Vigilante' Opens Can of Worms

  Michael Fox
  Aug 18, 2011

  Filmmakers find themselves outside the 'buffer' zone as film about graffiti-abaters hits local screens, and streets. Editor's note: Vigilante, Vigilante: The Battle for Expression, a Bay Area-made film on graffiti "abatement," opened with a clamor last weekend at the Roxie, as San Francisco's Department of Public Works made an issue of cleaning up the film's street-art advertising campaign. The filmmakers responded that they've asked that their materials not be posted illegally, but that hasn't stopped DPW requesting them to cease and desist attracting audiences via wheatpaste. What follows is sf360.org's interview...

  
• August 18, 2011
  
  

  What’s So Bleeping Funny?!

  Karen Everett
  Aug 15, 2011

  Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.

  
• Home
  
  

  What’s So Bleeping Funny?!

  Karen Everett
  Aug 15, 2011

  Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  What’s So Bleeping Funny?!

  Karen Everett
  Aug 15, 2011

  Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  SFFS Announces Winners of Spring 2011 SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants

  Aug 15, 2011

  The San Francisco Film Society and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation today announced the five winners and two honorable mentions of the fifth round of SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants. The grants are awarded twice annually to filmmakers for narrative feature films with social justice themes that will have significant economic or professional impact on the Bay Area filmmaking community. Between 2009 and 2013 the SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants will award nearly $2.5 million, including a total of $788,000 already awarded in the first five grant rounds.
  
  Carlton Evans and Matthew Lessner (Ross), $50,000 for screenwriting; Aurora Guerrero (Mosquita y Mari), $88,000 for postproduction; Adam Keker (National Park), $35,000 for screenwriting; Timothy Kelly (The Cherokee Word for Water), $75,000 for production; Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of a Southern Wild), $55,000 for postproduction. Honorable Mentions went to: John Dilly (Rubbish), development and Ian Olds (The Western Habit), screenwriting. More at sffs.org.

  
• August 18, 2011
  
  

  Teens Tackle Production at SFFS Young Filmmakers Camp

  Kim Nunley
  Aug 12, 2011

  The second year of the Film Society's movie-making summer camp puts youth on location.

  
• Home
  
  

  Teens Tackle Production at SFFS Young Filmmakers Camp

  Kim Nunley
  Aug 12, 2011

  The second year of the Film Society's movie-making summer camp puts youth on location.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Teens Tackle Production at SFFS Young Filmmakers Camp

  Kim Nunley
  Aug 12, 2011

  The second year of the Film Society's movie-making summer camp puts youth on location.

  
• August 9,2011
  
  

  'Between Two Worlds'

  Aug 10, 2011

  Film buffs that missed SFJFF entry 'Between Two Worlds' at this year's festival have another opportunity to see the doc this week at the Roxie. A loose series of events beginning with the festival's own highly controversial screening of 'Rachel' in 2009, 'Between Two Worlds' is moored by a sublime ambient soundtrack by guitarist Fred Firth. For analysis, check out Ruby Rich's in-depth feature here on SF360. Filmmakers Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman will be present for Q&A for 7:00 pm screenings Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More info at roxie.com.

  
• August 11, 2011
  
  

  High Energy 'Point Blank' Is a Rush

  Dennis Harvey
  Aug 9, 2011

  Thrill ride 'Point Blank' loses nothing in translation—it's a prime example of cinematic globalization.

  
• Home
  
  

  High Energy 'Point Blank' Is a Rush

  Dennis Harvey
  Aug 9, 2011

  Thrill ride 'Point Blank' loses nothing in translation—it's a prime example of cinematic globalization.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  High Energy 'Point Blank' Is a Rush

  Dennis Harvey
  Aug 9, 2011

  Thrill ride 'Point Blank' loses nothing in translation—it's a prime example of cinematic globalization.

  
• August 11, 2011
  
  

  'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

  B. Ruby Rich
  Aug 5, 2011

  Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

  
• Home
  
  

  'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

  B. Ruby Rich
  Aug 5, 2011

  Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  'Between Two Worlds' Places Politics of Speech in Spotlight

  B. Ruby Rich
  Aug 5, 2011

  Filmmakers take personal approach to Jewish cultural debates.

  
• 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: '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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

  Sara Dosa
  Jul 1, 2011

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

  
• Home
  
  

  Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

  Sara Dosa
  Jul 1, 2011

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

  
• July 7, 2011
  
  

  Silverdocs 2011: A Festival with Legs

  Sara Dosa
  Jul 1, 2011

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

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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.

  
• June 14, 2011
  
  

  'These Amazing Shadows'

  Jun 19, 2011

  Directors Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton inspect the treasures held in the Library of Congress' revered National Film Registry and consider their lasting impact on the American experience. The locally made doc features insightful interviews with prominent celebrities and critics. Both filmmakers will be present for Q&A after screening at Smith Rafael Film Center. More at cafilm.org.

  
• Home
  
  

  We Want Answers

  Karen Everett
  Jun 14, 2011

  Asking the right questions is an art; a consultant speaks on how to conduct documentary interviews that will help structure your film.

  
• June 16, 2011
  
  

  We Want Answers

  Karen Everett
  Jun 14, 2011

  Asking the right questions is an art; a consultant speaks on how to conduct documentary interviews that will help structure your film.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  We Want Answers

  Karen Everett
  Jun 14, 2011

  Asking the right questions is an art; a consultant speaks on how to conduct documentary interviews that will help structure your film.

  
• Home
  
  

  Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’

  Michael Fox
  May 24, 2011

  S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’

  Michael Fox
  May 24, 2011

  S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.

  
• May 26, 2011
  
  

  Patrick Raises Child ‘Booksellers’

  Michael Fox
  May 24, 2011

  S. Smith Patrick shares purpose with the children she films.

  
• Home
  
  

  New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre

  Karen Everett
  May 17, 2011

  Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.

  
• May 19, 2011
  
  

  New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre

  Karen Everett
  May 17, 2011

  Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre

  Karen Everett
  May 17, 2011

  Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.

  
• Home
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• May 12, 2011
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• Home
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• May 12, 2011
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Gifts My Mother Gave Me

  Michael Guillen
  May 8, 2011

  Filmmakers, critics and fans celebrate their mothers’ unique, eccentric, foundational contributions to their movie-loving lives.

  
• Home
  
  

  SFIFF54 Golden Gate Award Winners Announced

  Susan Gerhard
  May 5, 2011

  Cash prizes, recognition showered on the winning filmmakers of 2011 San Francisco International. The San Francisco International Film Festival presented its 2011 Golden Gate Awards to filmmakers Wednesday night at Temple Nightclub/Prana Restaurant. Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway's Better This World won both Documentary Feature and Bay Area Documentary awards. Yoav Potash's Crime After Crime received the Investigative Documentary prize. Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan won the New Directors award. A complete list...

  
• May 5, 2011
  
  

  SFIFF54 Golden Gate Award Winners Announced

  Susan Gerhard
  May 5, 2011

  Cash prizes, recognition showered on the winning filmmakers of 2011 San Francisco International. The San Francisco International Film Festival presented its 2011 Golden Gate Awards to filmmakers Wednesday night at Temple Nightclub/Prana Restaurant. Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway's Better This World won both Documentary Feature and Bay Area Documentary awards. Yoav Potash's Crime After Crime received the Investigative Documentary prize. Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan won the New Directors award. A complete list...

  
• Home
  
  

  SFIFF54 Golden Gate Award Winners Announced

  Susan Gerhard
  May 5, 2011

  Cash prizes, recognition showered on the winning filmmakers of 2011 San Francisco International. The San Francisco International Film Festival presented its 2011 Golden Gate Awards to filmmakers Wednesday night at Temple Nightclub/Prana Restaurant. Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway's Better This World won both Documentary Feature and Bay Area Documentary awards. Yoav Potash's Crime After Crime received the Investigative Documentary prize. Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan won the New Directors award. A complete list...

  
• May 5, 2011
  
  

  SFIFF54 Golden Gate Award Winners Announced

  Susan Gerhard
  May 5, 2011

  Cash prizes, recognition showered on the winning filmmakers of 2011 San Francisco International. The San Francisco International Film Festival presented its 2011 Golden Gate Awards to filmmakers Wednesday night at Temple Nightclub/Prana Restaurant. Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway's Better This World won both Documentary Feature and Bay Area Documentary awards. Yoav Potash's Crime After Crime received the Investigative Documentary prize. Park Jung-bum's The Journals of Musan won the New Directors award. A complete list...

  
• April 28, 2011
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• In Production
  
  

  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.

  
• april 22 2011
  
  

  Looking for the Moral with Bill Nichols

  Michael Fox
  Apr 20, 2011

  Social-justice filmmaking gets discussed in a Bill Nichols'-moderated salon during SFIFF.

  
• Home
  
  

  Looking for the Moral with Bill Nichols

  Michael Fox
  Apr 20, 2011

  Social-justice filmmaking gets discussed in a Bill Nichols'-moderated salon during SFIFF.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Looking for the Moral with Bill Nichols

  Michael Fox
  Apr 20, 2011

  Social-justice filmmaking gets discussed in a Bill Nichols'-moderated salon during SFIFF.

  
• april 22 2011
  
  

  On Producing Killer Films

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 18, 2011

  Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.

  
• Home
  
  

  On Producing Killer Films

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 18, 2011

  Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  On Producing Killer Films

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 18, 2011

  Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.

  
• April 14, 2011
  
  

  The Art of the Steal

  George Rush
  Apr 12, 2011

  Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.

  
• Home
  
  

  The Art of the Steal

  George Rush
  Apr 12, 2011

  Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.

  
• Legal
  
  

  The Art of the Steal

  George Rush
  Apr 12, 2011

  Whether in the foreground or background of your narrative feature, pieces of art require copyright consideration.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Current TV Launches 'The Current Cause' for Filmmakers

  Apr 8, 2011

  Press release: Current TV is launching a new pro-social program, called 'The Current Cause,' which invites both amateur and professional filmmakers to create promotional spots focusing on pro-social themes and organizations. The program focuses on a different theme every quarter, beginning with a sustainability-themed "Earth Fights Back" initiative to commemorate Earth Day 2011. More at current.com/cause.

  
• April 7, 2011
  
  

  Uncomplicating the Casting Process

  Kim Nunley
  Apr 5, 2011

  Hester Schell’s ‘Casting Revealed’ helps filmmakers hire quality actors.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Uncomplicating the Casting Process

  Kim Nunley
  Apr 5, 2011

  Hester Schell’s ‘Casting Revealed’ helps filmmakers hire quality actors.

  
• Home
  
  

  Uncomplicating the Casting Process

  Kim Nunley
  Apr 5, 2011

  Hester Schell’s ‘Casting Revealed’ helps filmmakers hire quality actors.

  
• March 29 2011
  
  

  ‘The Storm That Swept Mexico’

  Mar 31, 2011

  Filmmakers Ray Telles and Kenn Rabin are in person at the Smith Rafael Film Center to present their documentary, ‘The Storm That Swept Mexico,’ which illustrates the story of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and explores the subsequent changes in relationship dynamics between Mexico, the United States and Europe. More at cafilm.org.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms

  Erica Marcus
  Mar 22, 2011

  The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.

  
• Home
  
  

  Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms

  Erica Marcus
  Mar 22, 2011

  The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.

  
• March 24, 2011
  
  

  Filmmakers Bring Stories to New Platforms

  Erica Marcus
  Mar 22, 2011

  The Media that Matters Conference showcased innovative formats and powerful storytelling.

  
• Home
  
  

  YBCA Brings Attention to Embattled Iranian Artists

  Max Goldberg
  Mar 17, 2011

  YBCA rallies behind Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof with its ‘Iran Beyond Censorship’ series.

  
• March 17, 2011
  
  

  YBCA Brings Attention to Embattled Iranian Artists

  Max Goldberg
  Mar 17, 2011

  YBCA rallies behind Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof with its ‘Iran Beyond Censorship’ series.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  YBCA Brings Attention to Embattled Iranian Artists

  Max Goldberg
  Mar 17, 2011

  YBCA rallies behind Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof with its ‘Iran Beyond Censorship’ series.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• In Production
  
  

  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.

  
• March 17, 2011
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism

  Karen Everett
  Mar 15, 2011

  A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.

  
• March 17, 2011
  
  

  Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism

  Karen Everett
  Mar 15, 2011

  A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  Nonfiction's Future Lies in Optimism

  Karen Everett
  Mar 15, 2011

  A new crop of filmmakers are building audiences by showing nonfiction doesn’t have to be depressing to reveal hard truths.

  
• March 8, 2011
  
  

  Screen Circus Showcases Local Filmmakers

  Mar 12, 2011

  Screen Circus plays at Red Vic Movie House, offering indie short films by local filmmakers. More at redvicmoviehouse.com.

  
• March 8, 2011
  
  

  Film and Video Makers at Cal

  Mar 10, 2011

  Pacific Film Archive hosts ‘Film and Video Makers at Cal,’ which offers an array of short narratives, documentaries and music videos by UC Berkeley student filmmakers. More at bampfa.berkeley.edu.

  
• February 8, 2011
  
  

  Scary Cow 13th Indie Film Festival

  Feb 13, 2011

  Short and feature films completed over the previous year by the Scary Cow’s co-op members play at Castro Theater. Attendees vote on which filmmakers should receive funding for future projects. More at scarycow.com.

  
• February 10, 2011
  
  

  Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

  Michael Fox
  Feb 9, 2011

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

  
• Home
  
  

  Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

  Michael Fox
  Feb 9, 2011

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

  
• In Production
  
  

  Scary Cow Stampede Continues Apace

  Michael Fox
  Feb 9, 2011

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

  
• February 10, 2011
  
  

  SFFS Screen Returns with New Suleiman

  Max Goldberg
  Feb 4, 2011

  Elia Suleiman’s 'The Time That Remains' recalls his parents’ Nazareth.

  
• Home
  
  

  SFFS Screen Returns with New Suleiman

  Max Goldberg
  Feb 4, 2011

  Elia Suleiman’s 'The Time That Remains' recalls his parents’ Nazareth.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  SFFS Screen Returns with New Suleiman

  Max Goldberg
  Feb 4, 2011

  Elia Suleiman’s 'The Time That Remains' recalls his parents’ Nazareth.

  
• Feb 3 2011
  
  

  SF360 Live at Sundance: 285 Steps

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 28, 2011

  Reality bursts through daydreams; labors of love pay off in 2011's edition of the Sundance Film Festival.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SF360 Live at Sundance: 285 Steps

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 28, 2011

  Reality bursts through daydreams; labors of love pay off in 2011's edition of the Sundance Film Festival.

  
• Home
  
  

  SF360 Live at Sundance: 285 Steps

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 28, 2011

  Reality bursts through daydreams; labors of love pay off in 2011's edition of the Sundance Film Festival.

  
• January 31, 2011
  
  

  SF360 Live at Sundance: 285 Steps

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 28, 2011

  Reality bursts through daydreams; labors of love pay off in 2011's edition of the Sundance Film Festival.

  
• January 25, 2011
  
  

  'August to June' World Premiere

  Jan 27, 2011

  Filmmakers Amy and Tom Valens appear in person at Smith Rafael Film Center for the world premiere of their documentary ‘August to June,’ which follows Amy in her final year as an instructor at a public elementary school in the city of Lagunitas. More at cafilm.org.

  
• January 18, 2011
  
  

  'Two in The Wave'

  Jan 21, 2011

  Roxie Theater presents ‘Two In The Wave,’ a documentary showcasing the friendship and eventual fall out of French New Wave filmmakers Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. Actual short works from Truffaut and Godard play after the film. More at roxie.com.

  
• Home
  
  

  Bay Area Doc Makers Breathe Deep Before Sundance Debuts

  Michael Fox
  Jan 19, 2011

  Filmmakers make plans, stay calm, hone their messages for Park City audiences in days before festival opens.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Bay Area Doc Makers Breathe Deep Before Sundance Debuts

  Michael Fox
  Jan 19, 2011

  Filmmakers make plans, stay calm, hone their messages for Park City audiences in days before festival opens.

  
• January 20, 2011
  
  

  Bay Area Doc Makers Breathe Deep Before Sundance Debuts

  Michael Fox
  Jan 19, 2011

  Filmmakers make plans, stay calm, hone their messages for Park City audiences in days before festival opens.

  
• January 31, 2011
  
  

  Bay Area Doc Makers Breathe Deep Before Sundance Debuts

  Michael Fox
  Jan 19, 2011

  Filmmakers make plans, stay calm, hone their messages for Park City audiences in days before festival opens.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Ford Foundation: $50 Million Fund Launched for Next Generation of Documentary Filmmakers

  Jan 19, 2011

  Press release: "...The new initiative, called JustFilms, will invest $10 million a year over the next five years to support and expand the community of filmmakers and mediamakers around the world focused on creating documentaries with passion and purpose, but who often lack funding to realize their visions or reach audiences." More at fordfoundation.org.

  
• First Person
  
  

  American Doc Showcase Visits Angola

  Xandra Castleton
  Jan 11, 2011

  A filmmaker’s trip to Luanda with a State Department program brings insight on the growth of a young national cinema.

  
• Home
  
  

  American Doc Showcase Visits Angola

  Xandra Castleton
  Jan 11, 2011

  A filmmaker’s trip to Luanda with a State Department program brings insight on the growth of a young national cinema.

  
• January 13, 2011
  
  

  American Doc Showcase Visits Angola

  Xandra Castleton
  Jan 11, 2011

  A filmmaker’s trip to Luanda with a State Department program brings insight on the growth of a young national cinema.

  
• Home
  
  

  How to Fix Your Documentary's Structural Problems, Part One

  Karen Everett
  Jan 4, 2011

  Rough-cut screenings can help you identify problems areas of your film—if you know how to listen.

  
• January 6, 2010
  
  

  How to Fix Your Documentary's Structural Problems, Part One

  Karen Everett
  Jan 4, 2011

  Rough-cut screenings can help you identify problems areas of your film—if you know how to listen.

  
• Story Structure
  
  

  How to Fix Your Documentary's Structural Problems, Part One

  Karen Everett
  Jan 4, 2011

  Rough-cut screenings can help you identify problems areas of your film—if you know how to listen.

  
• December 28, 2010
  
  

  Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 24, 2010

  The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.

  
• Home
  
  

  Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 24, 2010

  The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.

  
• January 6, 2010
  
  

  Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 24, 2010

  The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Film 2010: Moments, Trends, Docs and the Best of the Bay Area

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 24, 2010

  The Bay Area film community sounds off on the best/worst trends, times, docs and Bay Area-made films of 2010.

  
• December 23, 2010
  
  

  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.

  
• December 28, 2010
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• December 23, 2010
  
  

  Film 2010: The Year in Quotes

  Michael Fox
  Dec 17, 2010

  Outspoken and rarely understated, Bay Area filmmakers took center stage in 2010.

  
• December 28, 2010
  
  

  Film 2010: The Year in Quotes

  Michael Fox
  Dec 17, 2010

  Outspoken and rarely understated, Bay Area filmmakers took center stage in 2010.

  
• Home
  
  

  Film 2010: The Year in Quotes

  Michael Fox
  Dec 17, 2010

  Outspoken and rarely understated, Bay Area filmmakers took center stage in 2010.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Film 2010: The Year in Quotes

  Michael Fox
  Dec 17, 2010

  Outspoken and rarely understated, Bay Area filmmakers took center stage in 2010.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  SFFS/KRF Announce Fall 2010 Grant Recipients

  Dec 6, 2010

  Press release: The San Francisco Film Society and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation today announced the five winners of the fourth round of SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grants: Debbie Brubaker, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Christopher Mason Johnson, Mike Ott and Morgan Wise. The grants are given twice annually to filmmakers for narrative feature films with social justice themes that will have significant economic or professional impact on the Bay Area filmmaking community. More at sffs.org.

  
• December 2, 2010
  
  

  De Michiel and Constantinou Offer Food for Thought

  Michael Fox
  Dec 1, 2010

  Filmmakers with deep roots in Bay Area cinema enter the brave new world of Web broadcasting with a series on food education for children.

  
• Home
  
  

  De Michiel and Constantinou Offer Food for Thought

  Michael Fox
  Dec 1, 2010

  Filmmakers with deep roots in Bay Area cinema enter the brave new world of Web broadcasting with a series on food education for children.

  
• In Production
  
  

  De Michiel and Constantinou Offer Food for Thought

  Michael Fox
  Dec 1, 2010

  Filmmakers with deep roots in Bay Area cinema enter the brave new world of Web broadcasting with a series on food education for children.

  
• Home
  
  

  Farley Frames Barrish, Candlestick Point

  Michael Fox
  Nov 17, 2010

  A longtime friendship grows into a film.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Farley Frames Barrish, Candlestick Point

  Michael Fox
  Nov 17, 2010

  A longtime friendship grows into a film.

  
• November 18, 2010
  
  

  Farley Frames Barrish, Candlestick Point

  Michael Fox
  Nov 17, 2010

  A longtime friendship grows into a film.

  
• November 10, 2010
  
  

  New Italian Cinema

  Nov 17, 2010

  San Francisco Film Society celebrates Italy’s freshest film offerings in the New Italian Cinema series at Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema. Films new and old from director Ferzan Ozpetek begin the weeklong festival, which focuses on a diverse group of work from some of Italy’s most gifted filmmakers, many appearing in person. Opening Night is Ozpetek’s most recent, ‘Loose Cannons,’ which precedes a party at Cigar Bar & Grill, 850 Montgomery Street. More at sffs.org.

  
• Home
  
  

  Copyright Crosses Borders

  George Rush
  Nov 16, 2010

  Laws and treaties protect artists' rights overseas and make the permissions-gathering process all the more important for filmmakers.

  
• Legal
  
  

  Copyright Crosses Borders

  George Rush
  Nov 16, 2010

  Laws and treaties protect artists' rights overseas and make the permissions-gathering process all the more important for filmmakers.

  
• November 18, 2010
  
  

  Copyright Crosses Borders

  George Rush
  Nov 16, 2010

  Laws and treaties protect artists' rights overseas and make the permissions-gathering process all the more important for filmmakers.

  
• November 10, 2010
  
  

  Afterimage: Filmmakers and Critics in Conversation: Kelly Reichardt with B. Ruby Rich

  Nov 11, 2010

  This event marks the debut of an exciting new filmmaker-in-person series presented by BAM/PFA. Regarded as one of the most significant voices in contemporary American indie cinema, director Kelly Reichardt presents and discusses her work with professor, author (and SF360.org contributor) B. Ruby Rich at the Pacific Film Archive. Feature films include ‘Ode,’ ‘Old Joy,’ ‘River of Grass’ and ‘Wendy and Lucy,’ as well as two shorts, ‘Then a Year,’ and ‘Travis.’ More at bampfa.berkeley.edu.

  
• Home
  
  

  Manning’s ‘Al Capp’ Sketches Grandpa

  Michael Fox
  Nov 10, 2010

  Caitlin Manning takes a look at her cartoon-artist grandfather's life and legacy.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Manning’s ‘Al Capp’ Sketches Grandpa

  Michael Fox
  Nov 10, 2010

  Caitlin Manning takes a look at her cartoon-artist grandfather's life and legacy.

  
• November 11, 2010
  
  

  Manning’s ‘Al Capp’ Sketches Grandpa

  Michael Fox
  Nov 10, 2010

  Caitlin Manning takes a look at her cartoon-artist grandfather's life and legacy.

  
• 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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  SF Chronicle: 'Rainin Foundation selects 10 finalists'

  Oct 27, 2010

  "Ten Bay Area filmmakers got good news this month when the San Francisco Film Society and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation announced that they had narrowed their choices to a short list of contenders competing for $225,000 in cash," writes Hugh Hart. "The awards will go toward funding projects that explore civil rights, discrimination, gender and sexual identity. Winners will be named in November." More at SFGate.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• Home
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• October 21, 2010
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• Home
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• October 21, 2010
  
  

  Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum

  Gianmaria Franchini
  Oct 19, 2010

  At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.

  
• October 12, 2010
  
  

  'Cropsey'

  Oct 15, 2010

  Missing children, justice gone potentially awry: Directors Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio journey back to the Staten Island streets they grew up on to investigate the urban legend of Cropsey, an alleged escaped mental patient who was said to terrorize their community. The San Francisco Bay Guardian's Cheryl Eddy named it one of the best films of 2009; it arrives this week for its SF theatrical release at the Red Vic Movie House.

  
• Home
  
  

  'Better This World' Takes a Look at Criminal Injustice

  Michael Fox
  Oct 13, 2010

  Two filmmakers examine the justice system in the U.S. post-Sept. 11.

  
• October 14, 2010
  
  

  'Better This World' Takes a Look at Criminal Injustice

  Michael Fox
  Oct 13, 2010

  Two filmmakers examine the justice system in the U.S. post-Sept. 11.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?

  Fernanda Rossi
  Oct 12, 2010

  What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.

  
• Home
  
  

  Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?

  Fernanda Rossi
  Oct 12, 2010

  What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.

  
• October 14, 2010
  
  

  Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?

  Fernanda Rossi
  Oct 12, 2010

  What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.

  
• 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
  
  

  Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

  Michael Fox
  Sep 29, 2010

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

  
• In Production
  
  

  Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

  Michael Fox
  Sep 29, 2010

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

  
• September 30, 2010
  
  

  Local Filmmakers Pour into Mill Valley

  Michael Fox
  Sep 29, 2010

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

  
• September 21, 2010
  
  

  Distro 2010: Distribution for Independent Filmmakers Today

  Sep 29, 2010

  This Bay Area Video Coalition panel includes representatives from Microcinema International and Filmmakers Collaborative discussing the many emerging choices independent filmmakers have for releasing their films.

  
• september 29, 2010
  
  

  Distro 2010: Distribution for Independent Filmmakers Today

  Sep 29, 2010

  This Bay Area Video Coalition panel includes representatives from Microcinema International and Filmmakers Collaborative discussing the many emerging choices independent filmmakers have for releasing their films.

  
• September 21, 2010
  
  

  Tom Shepard's 'Whiz Kids'

  Sep 25, 2010

  San Francisco producer and director Tom Shepard, along with New York filmmakers Tina DiFeliciantonio and Jane C. Wagner, present their new documentary, 'Whiz Kids,' about ambitious teenagers who compete in the Intel Science Talent Search, in person at the Balboa Theatre.

  
• September 21, 2010
  
  

  A 'Howl' Exclusive

  Sep 24, 2010

  'Howl' filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman will host a Q&A and present the San Francisco opening of their new film at the Sundance Kabuki.

  
• September 21, 2010
  
  

  NY/SF International Children's Film Festival

  Sep 24, 2010

  San Francisco Film Society and the New York International Children's Film Festival offer three days of films for kids, teens and their families, from 'Turtle—the Incredible Journey' (pictured) to Santosh Sivan's Kashmir story, 'Tahaan,' to shorts and animated films, kicking off Friday, September 24, with a kid-friendly opening night party at the Punch Line Comedy Club.

  
• September 21, 2010
  
  

  SF Irish Film Festival

  Sep 23, 2010

  The San Francisco Irish Film Festival offers Roxie audiences three days of contemporary Irish cinema, including features, documentaries and short films paired with free pints of Irish cider. Closing night film 'His & Hers' won the Cinematography Award at Sundance 2010.

  
• Home
  
  

  Irving Glides from Parrots to Pelicans

  Michael Fox
  Sep 22, 2010

  Judy Irving goes from parrots to pelicans with her new documentary.

  
• September 23, 2010
  
  

  Irving Glides from Parrots to Pelicans

  Michael Fox
  Sep 22, 2010

  Judy Irving goes from parrots to pelicans with her new documentary.

  
• Home
  
  

  Altman Versus the World

  Dennis Harvey
  Sep 20, 2010

  A series at the Roxie mines the fault lines in Robert Altman's varied oeuvre.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Altman Versus the World

  Dennis Harvey
  Sep 20, 2010

  A series at the Roxie mines the fault lines in Robert Altman's varied oeuvre.

  
• September 23, 2010
  
  

  Altman Versus the World

  Dennis Harvey
  Sep 20, 2010

  A series at the Roxie mines the fault lines in Robert Altman's varied oeuvre.

  
• Digital
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• Home
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• September 16, 2010
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• Digital
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• Home
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• September 16, 2010
  
  

  Online Film Contests: Friend or Foe?

  Hannah Eaves
  Sep 14, 2010

  Contemplating the pros and cons of entering online film contests.

  
• Home
  
  

  Mallimson surveys 'Edge of the Wild' on San Bruno Mountain

  Michael Fox
  Sep 8, 2010

  A filmmaker shows environmentalists who are changing the way we as Americans relate to nature.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Mallimson surveys 'Edge of the Wild' on San Bruno Mountain

  Michael Fox
  Sep 8, 2010

  A filmmaker shows environmentalists who are changing the way we as Americans relate to nature.

  
• September 9 2010
  
  

  Mallimson surveys 'Edge of the Wild' on San Bruno Mountain

  Michael Fox
  Sep 8, 2010

  A filmmaker shows environmentalists who are changing the way we as Americans relate to nature.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• September 9 2010
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  The Price of Fame

  George Rush
  Aug 31, 2010

  When filming a public figure, the rights to privacy as well as publicity need to be considered.

  
• Legal
  
  

  The Price of Fame

  George Rush
  Aug 31, 2010

  When filming a public figure, the rights to privacy as well as publicity need to be considered.

  
• September 2, 2010
  
  

  The Price of Fame

  George Rush
  Aug 31, 2010

  When filming a public figure, the rights to privacy as well as publicity need to be considered.

  
• August 26 ,2010
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• Home
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• August 24, 2010
  
  

  The Factory Year-End Screening

  Aug 24, 2010

  Oakland's youth video-production collective The Factory showcases more than a dozen documentary, narrative, and experimental films made by students at the Pacific Film Archive on August 24. A panel discussion with student filmmakers follows.

  
• August 26 ,2010
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• Home
  
  

  Getting Perspective on your Story

  Fernanda Rossi
  Aug 24, 2010

  Who's to say if it's a story problem or an audience problem?

  
• 08-05-2010
  
  

  Media Pulse: The Closed Net Threat

  Sara Dosa
  Aug 4, 2010

  The looming prospect of a two-tiered internet may compromise the ability of independent filmmakers to fund, exhibit and distribute their films.

  
• Home
  
  

  Media Pulse: The Closed Net Threat

  Sara Dosa
  Aug 4, 2010

  The looming prospect of a two-tiered internet may compromise the ability of independent filmmakers to fund, exhibit and distribute their films.

  
• In Depth
  
  

  Media Pulse: The Closed Net Threat

  Sara Dosa
  Aug 4, 2010

  The looming prospect of a two-tiered internet may compromise the ability of independent filmmakers to fund, exhibit and distribute their films.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 27, 2010

  Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.

  
• Home
  
  

  Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 27, 2010

  Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 27, 2010

  Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.

  
• Home
  
  

  Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 27, 2010

  Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• 07-21-2010
  
  

  A Need to Think Outside the Box (Office)

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 20, 2010

  The maker of Bomb It offers hard-won advice on the marketing of film in the 2010s.

  
• First Person
  
  

  A Need to Think Outside the Box (Office)

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 20, 2010

  The maker of Bomb It offers hard-won advice on the marketing of film in the 2010s.

  
• Home
  
  

  A Need to Think Outside the Box (Office)

  Jon Reiss
  Jul 20, 2010

  The maker of Bomb It offers hard-won advice on the marketing of film in the 2010s.

  
• Home
  
  

  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.

  
• Legal
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Frameline's History Lessons

  Max Goldberg
  Jun 24, 2010

  Frameline34 brought together a wide array of programs following the retrospective impulse.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  On the Road with 'Joan,' Stern and Sundberg Talk Big Picture

  Michael Fox
  Jun 14, 2010

  The makers of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work speak about their latest, as well as the state of documentary filmmaking.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Jordan's Magic Moments with Ondine

  Dennis Harvey
  Jun 8, 2010

  Ondine finds Neil Jordan back on personal terra firma with a story (his own, in conception and screenplay) that sits exactly on the thin line separating reality and fantasy.

  
• Digital
  
  

  A Digital Glossary

  Hannah Eaves
  Jun 8, 2010

  What s the difference between streaming and download rights? Here s a glossary of terms filmmakers should know before signing a contract or hiring a web developer.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Omori, Hardy Conspire to Tattoo the World

  Michael Fox
  May 25, 2010

  Emiko Omori s upcoming documentary, Ed Hardy: Tattoo the World, a collaboration of sorts between the two artists, grew out of a friendship that dates to 1974.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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).

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  IndieWIRE: Kiarostami's Letter at Cannes

  May 18, 2010

  A letter from Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami speaks out against Ministry of Guidance and Islamic Cutlure and in solidarity with detained director Jafar Panahi.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Griffin and Jordan Getting Nails Done

  Michael Fox
  May 12, 2010

  Today s fun fact: San Francisco has more nail salons per capita than any city in the country.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Griffin and Jordan Getting Nails Done

  Michael Fox
  May 12, 2010

  Today s fun fact: San Francisco has more nail salons per capita than any city in the country.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  SF Chronicle: 'S.F. Film Festival Bestows Prizes'

  May 7, 2010

  Almost $300,000 was given out Wednesday night for awards and grants honoring documentary winners.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  San Francisco International's Local Filmmakers Next Step

  Michael Fox
  May 6, 2010

  We caught up with several Bay Area makers, fresh off their high-energy screenings at SFIFF53 and primed to keep the momentum rolling.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  New York-set Charlie Barker's Big S.F. Break

  Michael Fox
  May 2, 2010

  Along with selfless sacrifices and random luck, low-budget independent films often depend on the timely intervention of an angel.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SFIFF53: Women's Worlds

  Max Goldberg
  May 1, 2010

  Don t let Hollywood crow about The Hurt Locker and the year of the woman until more filmmakers of the sort featured at this year s festival benefit.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SFIFF53: Women's Worlds

  Max Goldberg
  May 1, 2010

  Don t let Hollywood crow about The Hurt Locker and the year of the woman until more filmmakers of the sort featured at this year s festival benefit.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Local Filmmakers In SFIFF Spotlight

  Michael Fox
  Apr 27, 2010

  Leland Orser saw his first movie at the Alexandria, and Joshua Grannell initially established himself as a S.F. character via his alter ego Peaches Christ.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Local Filmmakers In SFIFF Spotlight

  Michael Fox
  Apr 27, 2010

  Leland Orser saw his first movie at the Alexandria, and Joshua Grannell initially established himself as a S.F. character via his alter ego Peaches Christ.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Christina Yao's solid Empire of Silver

  Michael Fox
  Apr 12, 2010

  First-time filmmaker Christina Yao is soft-spoken and exceedingly polite, but it s apparent that very little intimidates her.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Rosen's Insights into 53rd San Francisco International

  Michael Fox
  Apr 5, 2010

  With opening night approaching, Rachel Rosen talked about her L.A. Rolodex, the function of festivals in a broadband world and her favorites in the festival.

  
• In Production
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Bong Joon-ho's 'Mother' Pleases

  Dennis Harvey
  Mar 18, 2010

  One of the heroes of South Korean cinema's recent renaissance wisely sticks to home terrain with his follow-up to The Host.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Borshay Liem's Double Exposure of Korean Adoptions

  Michael Fox
  Mar 12, 2010

  Deann Borshay Liem's 1999 doc First Person Plural recounted her experience as an orphaned Korean adoptee raised in an East Bay suburb.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  28th SF Int'l Asian American Film Festival

  Dennis Harvey
  Mar 10, 2010

  The Center for Asian American Media, formerly known as NAATA and founded to nurture Asian American filmmakers as well as counter ethnic stereotypes, has accomplished that and more.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  28th SF Int'l Asian American Film Festival

  Dennis Harvey
  Mar 10, 2010

  The Center for Asian American Media, formerly known as NAATA and founded to nurture Asian American filmmakers as well as counter ethnic stereotypes, has accomplished that and more.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  West with 'Sweetgrass'

  Dennis Harvey
  Mar 9, 2010

  There will probably never be a theatrical release for James Benning's landscape movies. Amazingly, Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor have scored distribution and made a splash.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Beyond 'Berlin,' Eggers' New German Gems

  Michael Fox
  Feb 26, 2010

  The moving arrow anoints a new hot spot of contemporary cinema every few years, and then moves on. Yet Germany never makes the cool list.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Cohen and Lipman's Recovering Friend in Forest

  Michael Fox
  Feb 23, 2010

  Injured in a crash on the Golden Gate Bridge, Dr. Grace Dammann spent 45 days in a coma and 13 months in the hospital.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Freak Flag Flying at YBCA

  Dennis Harvey
  Feb 17, 2010

  YBCA has sustained a major place in S.F.'s cultural landscape without receiving the due it would have had its mission been narrower and more easily defined.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Final Chapter in Kelly and Yamamoto's Art Trilogy

  Michael Fox
  Feb 16, 2010

  Transformation, of any kind, an ephemeral, elusive thing to capture on film. One advisor told Nancy Kelly she'd never do it. Difficult, sure, but impossible?

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Ehrlich, Goldsmith on Pentagon Papers

  Michael Fox
  Feb 14, 2010

  The Oscar nomination for The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers is a validation of the doc's right-now relevance.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Wendy Slick's 'Virtuoso' Turn

  Michael Fox
  Feb 9, 2010

  Olga Samaroff, the path-breaking 20th-century concert pianist, critic and teacher, was born Lucy Hickenlooper in San Antonio, Texas. That's right, she reinvented herself.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Scott MacDonald on Art in Cinema at SFMoMA

  Max Goldberg
  Feb 7, 2010

  The film historian looks back at Frank Stauffacher's seminal mid-century series, which hatched a Bay Area avant-garde.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SF Indiefest at Twelve

  Matt Sussman
  Feb 4, 2010

  It s a strange time for independent film, with scaled-back specialty divisions and online self-distribution, but SF Indiefest remains a champion of the unsung and un-buzzable.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Pacific Film Archive's Young Filmmakers on Big Screen

  Jane Riccobono
  Feb 3, 2010

  In the YouTube-Facebook-viral video era, it's hard to remember the time when youth-made media was rare.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  'Fish Tank's Essex truth

  Dennis Harvey
  Jan 28, 2010

  Writer-director Andrea Arnold created a stir with her first feature Red Road, but her new film is arguably an even stronger work.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  The Greatest Finds of My Generation

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 26, 2010

  The harsh glare of the spotlight that brought Howl mixed reviews from critics on opening night of Sundance had melted into a warm glow by Saturday.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Joe Graham's Soulful 'Strapped'

  Michael Fox
  Jan 19, 2010

  "I wish gay cinema would die", Joe Graham declares. It s not queer movies the San Francisco filmmaker hates, but categories and pigeonholing.

  
• Funding
  
  

  Road-Tested Rules For Bang-up Fundraising Events

  Holly Million
  Jan 12, 2010

  Seems like every filmmaker I know is ready to party! Everyone s throwing fundraising events for their films. So many babes in the party-planning woods.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Animal-Rescue Mine In Katrina's Emotional Aftermath

  Michael Fox
  Jan 7, 2010

  Geralyn Pezanoski s doc about the separation and occasional reunion of pets and owners in post-Katrina New Orleans beat the shelf-life odds.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Thoughts On the Aughts: Best/Worst Trends

  Susan Gerard
  Dec 31, 2009

  While the U.S. moved from rebuilding decimated skyscrapers to the rebuilding of an entire economy, film moved from the multiplex to the mailbox to the mobile.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Top 10s of the 2000s

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 30, 2009

  Not surprisingly, Bay Area critics, fans, exhibitors and filmmakers did not arrive at a consensus on the best films of the decade.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  After Sept. 11, 2001, A Decade Found Its Way

  B. Ruby Rich
  Dec 23, 2009

  On Sept. 13, 2001, I stood in a Toronto park and spoke to Canadian television: Movies wouldn't be the same. I was wrong.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Bay Area Narrative Filmmakers Thriving in Doc Capital

  Michael Fox
  Dec 23, 2009

  Michael Fox shows independent filmmakers who are thriving in the Bay Area.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Bay Area Narrative Filmmakers Thriving in Doc Capital

  Michael Fox
  Dec 23, 2009

  Michael Fox shows independent filmmakers who are thriving in the Bay Area.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Soulful "35 Shots of Rum" Gently Intoxicating

  Dennis Harvey
  Dec 17, 2009

  Claire Denis proves her unpredictability and versatility as a director with the 2008 release 35 Shots of Rum.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Filmmakers Stuff 'Bag!' With Self-Distribution Dreams

  Michael Fox
  Dec 15, 2009

  Filmmakers Justine Jacob And Alex da Silva release the documentary Ready, Set, Bag!, which follows competitive grocery baggers from across the country.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Legal Eagle Eye Kristine Enea Zooms 'Off the Grid'

  Michael Fox
  Dec 8, 2009

  Kristine Enea's documentary shows The EcoCenter, a San Francisco environmental educational facility that treats and recycles wastewater and generates its own solar power.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  The Cockettes' Celluloid Afterglow Still Strong at 40

  Dennis Harvey
  Dec 3, 2009

  The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art honors the 40th anniversary of The Cockettes with a one-night-only program.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  The Upside of Downtime

  Fernanda Rossi
  Nov 24, 2009

  Ask the Documentary Doctor: The Doc examines patience in filmmaking.

  
• Funding
  
  

  How to Entice and Reward Potential Donors

  Holly Million
  Nov 10, 2009

  Here are a few ways to both entice and reward your donors, as well as some tips for thanking them when all's said and done.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Marissa Aroy Unearths Forgotten California history

  Michael Fox
  Nov 3, 2009

  Aroy's film excavates the history and contributions of Filipino farmworkers in the Golden State since the 1920s.

  
• Legal
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Don't Criticize it: 'Holding On to Jah'

  Michael Fox
  Oct 28, 2009

  It’s hard to imagine a venue where the new documentary Holding On to Jah will sound better than it did at Mezzanine last Wednesday night.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Don't Criticize it: 'Holding On to Jah'

  Michael Fox
  Oct 28, 2009

  It’s hard to imagine a venue where the new documentary Holding On to Jah will sound better than it did at Mezzanine last Wednesday night.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  '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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  '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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Remembering Chick Strand

  Max Goldberg
  Oct 23, 2009

  Chick Strand, a crucial pioneer of West Coast experimental cinema, died July 11 at 78.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Remembering Chick Strand

  Max Goldberg
  Oct 23, 2009

  Chick Strand, a crucial pioneer of West Coast experimental cinema, died July 11 at 78.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Screenwriting
  
  

  The Importance of Supporting Characters

  Lisa Rosenberg
  Oct 13, 2009

  Beyond Words: The people who back up the main character are often key sources of revelation, unmasking aspects of personality, motivation and backstory.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Franny Armstrong's S.O.S. to the World

  Sean Uyehara
  Sep 19, 2009

  Franny Armstrong talks about the moral imperative of her films, the importance of Hopenhagen, and the unexpected magnitude of her success.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Lucrecia Martel and "The Headless Woman"

  Gail Spilsbury
  Sep 18, 2009

  To viewers of Lucrecia Martel's earlier work, The Headless Woman is the crowning achievement; the filmmaker speaks about her vision of the world.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  William Klein's Restless Mind

  Dennis Harvey
  Sep 9, 2009

  The movies of William Klein are suffused with the same impudence, social commentary and aesthetic surprise found in his photos.

  
• First Person
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Kim Longinotto and Women Make Movies Film Festival

  Adam Hartzell
  Aug 27, 2009

  A mini-retrospective of the work of Kim Longinotto plays during the Women Make Movies Film Festival at the Roxie.

  
• Screenwriting
  
  

  Understanding Backstory

  Lisa Rosenberg
  Aug 25, 2009

  Behind any narrative for the screen is the story that came before it—the life that shaped the central character, who arrives fully formed as your story opens

  
• Legal
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Swedish Muckrakers Enlist Local Help

  Michael Fox
  Aug 4, 2009

  Oakland attorney Richard Lee speaks on the legal case surrounding the Swedish filmmakers of the hot-button documentary Bananas!.

  
• Q & A
  
  

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

  Elizabeth Rader
  Aug 2, 2009

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

  
• Reviews
  
  

  '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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  'Howl' is Poetry in Post

  Michael Fox
  Jul 28, 2009

  Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman combine live-action period drama and animation in retelling of Ginsburg's Howl

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Shelley Diekman Reflects on Well-Spent life

  Hilary Hart
  Jul 27, 2009

  Newly-retired Pacific Film Archive publicist Shelley Diekman discusses her cinephile tastes, her past and her future.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Shelley Diekman Reflects on Well-Spent life

  Hilary Hart
  Jul 27, 2009

  Newly-retired Pacific Film Archive publicist Shelley Diekman discusses her cinephile tastes, her past and her future.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  The Real Deal

  Fernanda Rossi
  Jul 21, 2009

  Ask the Documentary Doctor: How do I choose the right crew for my story?

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Lucrecia Martel and a Case for Decadence

  Sean Uyehara
  Jul 17, 2009

  Lucrecia Martel's films, including La Ciénaga and The Headless Woman feature what have come to be known as her primary concerns: classism, decay and femininity.

  
• Funding
  
  

  Are Your "Friends" Worthless?

  Holly Million
  Jul 13, 2009

  Fear-Free Fundraising: Are Your "Friends" Worthless?

  
• Funding
  
  

  Are Your "Friends" Worthless?

  Holly Million
  Jul 13, 2009

  Fear-Free Fundraising: Are Your "Friends" Worthless?

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Frameline33: Icons and Unsung Heroes

  Matt Sussman
  Jun 25, 2009

  A festival full of drama finds no more emotional screening than the homophobia-in-sports double bill of Training Rules and Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial.

  
• In Production
  
  

  'All About Evil'-doer Joshua Grannell in post

  Michael Fox
  Jun 17, 2009

  Blood-soaked, darkly comic All About Evil has writer-director Joshua Grannell and editor Rick LeCompte on an express-train schedule rare for an independent feature.

  
• Popular
  
  

  'All About Evil'-doer Joshua Grannell in post

  Michael Fox
  Jun 17, 2009

  Blood-soaked, darkly comic All About Evil has writer-director Joshua Grannell and editor Rick LeCompte on an express-train schedule rare for an independent feature.

  
• Legal
  
  

  Facing the Music (Rights)

  George Rush
  Jun 16, 2009

  Avoiding Disaster: Clearing music is one of those horrible, arduous, frustrating tasks that needs to be done in order to show or sell a film.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Social Fury 'In the Realm of Oshima' at PFA

  Matt Sussman
  Jun 11, 2009

  Oshima's output grazed on familiar genres, such as the youth-gone-wild and domestic drama, while freely incorporating elements from avant-garde and documentary filmmaking.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Nutritious eating on the cheap for Potash film

  Michael Fox
  Jun 9, 2009

  Like most social-issue documentaries, Food Stamped sprang from an activist impulse for Shira and Yoav Potash.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Weimberg/Ryan on Conflict and Conscience

  Sura Wood
  Jun 7, 2009

  Berkeley-based filmmaking team Gary Weimberg and Catherine Ryan speak about social justice as a career and their film Soldiers of Conscience.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Another Hole in the Head

  Dennis Harvey
  Jun 4, 2009

  At a film festival called Another Hole in the Head, dedicated to sci-fi, horror and fantasy, catastrophic carnage meets comedy more often than not.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  When the Personal is Political

  Fernanda Rossi
  Jun 2, 2009

  Ask the Documentary Doctor: Where does the filmmaker stop existing to give way to the reporter/activist/responsible citizen with camera in hand?

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SFIFF52: Planet Armstrong

  Lynn Rapoport
  May 6, 2009

  Franny Armstrong's The Age of Stupid is a documentary encased like a time capsule inside a fictive but science-based, frighteningly possible future

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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

  
• In Production
  
  

  SFIFF52: 'The Professionals' Unites Filmmakers

  Michael Fox
  Apr 28, 2009

  The Professionals an ambitious array of panels, case studies and discussions, makes its debut as a forum for encouraging Bay Area moviemakers to engage with guests and colleagues.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  SFIFF52: Jarmel and Schneider's "Speaking in Tongues"

  Susan Gerhard
  Apr 25, 2009

  Jarmel and Schneider's Speaking in Tongues follows the stories of four public school children studying Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish along with their English.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  SFIFF52: Jarmel and Schneider's "Speaking in Tongues"

  Susan Gerhard
  Apr 25, 2009

  Jarmel and Schneider's Speaking in Tongues follows the stories of four public school children studying Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish along with their English.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• In Production
  
  

  SFIFF52: New Narrative Trend for Bay Area Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Apr 21, 2009

  Four independent narratives - La Mission, My Suicide, Everything Strange and New and (Untitled) - are adding to the Bay Area's repertoire, historically regarded as a breeding ground for documentary filmmakers.

  
• In Production
  
  

  SFIFF52: New Narrative Trend for Bay Area Cinema

  Michael Fox
  Apr 21, 2009

  Four independent narratives - La Mission, My Suicide, Everything Strange and New and (Untitled) - are adding to the Bay Area's repertoire, historically regarded as a breeding ground for documentary filmmakers.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Bahrani Earns Ebert's Praise for "Goodbye Solo"

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 17, 2009

  Ramin Bahrani's Goodbye Solo prompted Roger Ebert to pronounce him "the new great American directorâ" a couple weeks ago. The film is definitely the writer-helmer's most accessible work to date, one that might very well provide him with an arthouse breakthrough.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  SFIFF52: Light and Saraf's 'Empress Hotel'

  David Winks Gray
  Apr 13, 2009

  Local filmmakers Allie Light and Irving Saraf's latest film Empress Hotel delves into the lives of the residents at the titular building, a Tenderloin housing facility for the recently homeless. The film makes visible an area many city dwellers may only experience in the fringe of their consciousness and provides insight into the lives of the residents within.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SXSW: From the Producer's Chair

  Holly Million
  Mar 17, 2009

  Holly Million reviews some of the documentaries shown at this year's festival: It Came >From Kuchar, MIne and Motherland.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Sound Advice

  Fernanda Rossi
  Mar 10, 2009

  Sound design: in a documentary can be a great ally in bringing real life to the screen, and the dilemma is not whether to use this wonderful story device but rather how and in what context.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  'Examined Life' Puts Ideas into Action

  Dennis Harvey
  Mar 6, 2009

  An engaging documentary sampler of nine leading contemporary theorists, interviewed in settings that one way or another in real world terms illustrate (or contrast with) the concepts they discuss.

  
• Legal
  
  

  'Medicine for Melancholy' and the Art of DIY Legal Agreements

  George Rush
  Mar 3, 2009

  For many narrative filmmakers, hiring a lawyer is either an afterthought or not a financial reality, but moving forward with a film without considering legal is a huge mistake.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Leban and Szajko's Gay Marriage Doc

  Michael Fox
  Feb 18, 2009

  The tentatively titled Winter of Love uses Prop. 8 as a framework for a look at the increasing acceptance of gay marriage.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Leban and Szajko's Gay Marriage Doc

  Michael Fox
  Feb 18, 2009

  The tentatively titled Winter of Love uses Prop. 8 as a framework for a look at the increasing acceptance of gay marriage.

  
• Funding
  
  

  Lightening Your Fundraising Load

  Holly Million
  Feb 13, 2009

  Fear-Free Fundraising: Holly Million suggests ways to make approaching individual donors that much easier.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Terence Davies' 'Of Time and the City' is Poetic, Personal

  Dennis Harvey
  Feb 10, 2009

  Davies' latest film recalls his earlier autobiographical narratives, but is also unlike anything he has done before, being nonfiction.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  'Strand' Follows Thread to Rep Cinema's Glory Days

  Michael Fox
  Feb 3, 2009

  In Strand: A Natural History of Cinema, Christian Bruno pays homage to the pivotal and shifting role of movie theaters in San Francisco's cultural life.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Social Justice Filmmaking Grants Announced

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 28, 2009

  Grants totaling $3 million for narrative feature films made in the Bay Area will be distributed by the SFFS and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Veteran Berkeley Filmmaker's Baseball Doc

  Michael Fox
  Jan 28, 2009

  While ballplayers were relaxing in the off-season, Eugene Corr plowed ahead with his baseball documentary From Ghost Town to Havana.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• First Person
  
  

  Funder as Supplicant

  John R. Killacky
  Jan 20, 2009

  First-Person: A program officer at the San Francisco Foundation has a sobering experience making a documentary.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Bruce LaBruce's 'Otto': Zombies With Heart

  Dennis Harvey
  Jan 13, 2009

  A look at Otto; or, Up with Dead People, from a late arrival in the New Queer Cinema wave.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Wendy Levy on the Politics of Participation

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 12, 2009

  Levy offers thoughts on the program she's presenting at Sundance and what's being called the "New Documentary Movement."

  
• Reviews
  
  

  The Year in Film: What did Women Want?

  Matt Sussman
  Jan 1, 2009

  Matt Sussman draws conclusions about women and Hollywood from three big women-oriented films of 2008.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Pamela Harris, GFEM, and Filmmaker Funding

  Michael Fox
  Dec 22, 2008

  Oakland's Pamela Harris and Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media are connecting media makers with financial resources.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Audience of One?

  Fernanda Rossi
  Dec 12, 2008

  Ask the Documentary Doctor: Fernanda Rossi discusses pros and cons of having to sit through a screening of one's own film.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Sundance Harvests an Eclectic Crop of Local Films

  Michael Fox
  Dec 11, 2008

  Bay Area filmmakers represented at Sundance.

  
• Funding
  
  

  What Crisis? Fundraising During an Economic Meltdown

  Holly Million
  Dec 3, 2008

  Fear-Free Fundraising: Holly Million advises filmmakers on where to get funding when the going gets tough.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Something Wild: Martha Colburn's Collage Animations

  Max Goldberg
  Dec 1, 2008

  Martha Colburn's recent shorts plunge the interstices of Americana for a hidden history of fanaticism and double-faced hypocrisies.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Scott MacDonald's 'Canyon Cinema' Book--Both History and How-to

  Michael Fox
  Nov 17, 2008

  Scott McDonald's Canyon Cinema: The Life and Times of an Independent Film Distributor, details the formation of the revered Bay Area artists' collective in the early 1960s.

  
• In Production
  
  

  A Documentary on Death and Survival in Paradise

  Michael Fox
  Oct 28, 2008

  A husband and wife filmmaking pair are in the midst of a documentary on mysterious disappearances in the Galapagos.

  
• In Production
  
  

  A Documentary on Death and Survival in Paradise

  Michael Fox
  Oct 28, 2008

  A husband and wife filmmaking pair are in the midst of a documentary on mysterious disappearances in the Galapagos.

  
• Digital
  
  

  The Dimensions of Dialogue

  Lisa Rosenberg
  Oct 24, 2008

  Beyond Words: Skillful dialogue on film can achieve a structural dimension that shapes the narrative as surely as plot does.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Crossing Borders with 'Fraulein'

  Dennis Harvey
  Oct 21, 2008

  A director who lives in both Switzerland and New York leads a Swiss-German coproduction about two women from former Yugoslavian territories who meet in Zurich.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  'Full Battle Rattle' On the Endless War

  Matt Sussman
  Oct 16, 2008

  Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss's film candidly explores 'the ground truth' of Iraq without setting foot in the country.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Legal
  
  

  Notes on Digital Distribution

  George Rush
  Oct 8, 2008

  Avoiding Disaster: George Rush offers tips on bridging the worlds of creativity and business.

  
• Documentary
  
  

  Trailer Talk

  Fernanda Rossi
  Oct 8, 2008

  The Doc Doctor prescribes cures for common pitfalls of demo reels.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Baloney Sandwiches With No Cheese: Ted V. Mikels' Wild World

  Matt Sussman
  Sep 18, 2008

  'It takes your guts and your entrails and your soul to make a film,' Mikels once proclaimed. 'It takes everything you possess within you!'

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Inside the Telluride Film Festival

  Hilary Hart
  Aug 29, 2008

  A Telluride veteran gives a festival overview, and explains why film lovers and filmmakers travel to a remote corner of Colorado on blind faith.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Exhuming History with "The Judge and the General"

  Susan Gerhard
  Aug 11, 2008

  SF360.org asked Bay Area filmmaker Elizabeth Farnsworth about her film, which follows Judge Juan Guzmán as he investigates General Pinochet's crimes.

  
• In Production
  
  

  Saluting the Ultimate Whistleblower

  Michael Fox
  Aug 6, 2008

  SF360.org looks at the making of a documentary about the controversial leak of the Pentagon papers.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Saluting the Ultimate Whistleblower

  Michael Fox
  Aug 6, 2008

  SF360.org looks at the making of a documentary about the controversial leak of the Pentagon papers.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Not About Royalty

  Michael Fox
  Aug 6, 2008

  Empress Hotel looks at residents of a hotel turned homeless people's residence through San Francisco's Access to Housing program.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  '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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Muayad Alayan, Christian Bruno

  Robert Avila
  Jul 29, 2008

  Muayad Alayan, a 24-year-old filmmaker from the only remaining Arab neighborhood in West Jerusalem, speaks about the making of Lesh Sabreen?.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Catherine Breillat's 'The Last Mistress'

  Michael Fox
  Jul 14, 2008

  French author and director Catherine Breillat speaks about the fierce passion play of her latest, The Last Mistress.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  New Rohmer on SFFS Screen

  Max Goldberg
  Jun 24, 2008

  Eric Rohmer's latest "moral tale," The Romance of Astrea and Cèladon, filled with evanescent beauty, plays as part of SFFS Screen.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Finding Warren Sonbert

  Max Goldberg
  May 14, 2008

  Unlike most experimental filmmakers, Sonbert's collected works have had the benefit of full retrospectives at major museums (SFMOMA, NYMOMA, Guggenheim) and a strong preservation effort.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  SF International's Golden Gate Awards: Alive and Cooking

  Susan Gerhard
  May 8, 2008

  Food scents and film sensibilities mingled in a pungent party atmosphere at the California Culinary Academy.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  SFIFF51: On the Breeding Behind "Evolution: The Musical!"

  Robert Avila
  Apr 22, 2008

  Think of it as The Sound of Music meets Quest for Fire, or Jesus Christ Superstar rocks Land of the Lost.

  
• Festivals
  
  

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

  Susan Gerhard
  Apr 16, 2008

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

  
• Festivals
  
  

  "Palestine: Interior/Exterior"

  Robert Avila
  Apr 9, 2008

  Two films at the Arab Film Festival's program Palestine: Interior/Exterior map physical, personal and ideological terrain.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Review: "Boarding Gate"

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 8, 2008

  Boarding Gate is raw, silly, bloody, funny, carnal, intricate, coarse and self-conscious. It all suggests Olivier Assayas has a lot more surprises in him yet.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Review: "Boarding Gate"

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 8, 2008

  Boarding Gate is raw, silly, bloody, funny, carnal, intricate, coarse and self-conscious. It all suggests Olivier Assayas has a lot more surprises in him yet.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Thomas Beard exposes "Live Cinema"

  Michael Fox
  Apr 7, 2008

  Bodies of work have emerged from the intersections of performance, film and electronic art. Cinematograph 7ÑLive Cinema: A Contemporary Reader, edited by Thomas Beard's provides thoughtful writing on the subject.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  "Girls Rock" with Arne Johnson & Shane King

  Susan Gerhard
  Mar 2, 2008

  Girls Rock watches a few select 8-18 -year-olds overcome the obstacles to claim their rightful place on Earth and wail away.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Emiko Omori and Wendy Slick's "Passion & Power"

  Susan Gerhard
  Feb 18, 2008

  “Passion & Power, the Technology of Orgasm” gives Rachel Maines’ entertaining academic book on the subject a new life onscreen.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Paradjanov and Godard on DVD

  Michael Fox
  Jan 29, 2008

  Michael Fox reviews the release of a Sergei Paradjanov DVD boxed set and the arrival of a Jean-Luc Godard box spotlighting his underrated mid-'80s work.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Amanda Micheli Going for La Corona

  Sean Uyehara
  Jan 23, 2008

  A reprinting of an interview with Amanda Micheli because her film, now playing Sundance, has just made the final cut for an Academy Award.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Review: "The Violin"

  Dennis Harvey
  Jan 8, 2008

  Francisco Vargas' first feature has won a pile of international awards to date, and might have garnered more had it arrived on the scene earlier.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  'Be Kind Rewind' Brings Michel Gondry to SF

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 7, 2008

  Susan Gerhard enjoys an hour or so inside the wilds of Gondry's brain at the Apple Store, SF.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Reviews: "Walk Hard"; "Charlie Wilson's War"

  Dennis Harvey
  Dec 18, 2007

  Judd Apatow has come to so dominate American comedy that I often find myself thinking, "If only this movie had been written by Apatow..."

  
• Q & A
  
  

  "Starting Out in the Evening" With Andrew Wagner

  indieWIRE
  Dec 17, 2007

  The Sundance feature follows a 70-year-old novelist trying to complete the book he's been working on for the last 10 years.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Jessica Yu, "Protagonist"

  indieWIRE
  Dec 10, 2007

  Yu's latest doc centers on four rather damaged individuals, applying the dramatic structure of Greek playwright Euripedes to contemporary life.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Five Great Skate Features

  Justin Juul
  Dec 7, 2007

  In honor of Gus Van Sant's new film, 'Paranoid Park,' five skate films that matter to the skate junkie, and three honorable mentions.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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
  
  

  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
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Phil Chambliss, Arkansas Auteur

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 15, 2007

  Meet Phil Chambliss, a 54-year-old, recently retired gravel pit nightwatchman who makes what might be termed cinematic folk art.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "Redacted"

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 13, 2007

  Sometimes even presumably good intentions can warp into artistic misdeeds most foul.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Herzog, Docs, and Truth at AFI Fest

  Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
  Nov 12, 2007

  Herzog's remarks challenged the audience to reconsider its views on non-fiction film at AFI Fest.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Connie Field, from Berkeley to Johannesburg

  Robert Avila
  Nov 5, 2007

  The filmmaker talks about her recent projects, including Salud!, which looks at Cuba's world-class health system.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Shooting People's Ingrid Kopp

  Susan Gerhard
  Oct 22, 2007

  Kopp's organization is helping filmmakers collaborate by accessing virtual communities, facilitating live gatherings, expanding into book publishing, and more.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Jamie Meltzer on "Welcome to Nollywood"

  Michael Fox
  Oct 8, 2007

  Jamie Meltzer talks about his new film on Nigeria, where the digital revolution enables entrepreneurs to churn out movies quickly and inexpensively.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Lynn Hershman Leeson's "Culture" war

  Michael Fox
  Sep 20, 2007

  Lynn Hershman Leeson discusses her new project, ÔStrange Culture'.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Tomo Uchida at the PFA

  Matt Sussman
  Sep 19, 2007

  Does Tomo Uchida, whose retrospective is currently at the PFA, merit the same sort of reverent revival treatment that has been given many times over to other Japanese filmmakers of his generation?

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Five from Madcat

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 14, 2007

  Here are a few quick takes on programs that look particularly worthwhile at Madcat.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  George Kuchar, Neither Boil nor Blister

  Michael Fox
  Sep 13, 2007

  Michael Fox interviews director and Mission District icon George Kuchar

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Lucy Gray's Telluride

  Lucy Gray's
  Sep 12, 2007

  Lucy Gray reports from the 35th Telluride Film Festival.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Jewish Humor, After Woody

  Michael Fox
  Aug 15, 2007

  Although it's too early to write Allen off, it's also clear that he hasn't connected with younger audiences in a long time, so who's the next Woody Allen?

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Irina Leimbacher and Konrad Steiner on "kino21"

  Max Goldberg
  Aug 13, 2007

  The co-programmers discuss their newest endeavor, though those already from the Bay Area will be familiar with their work at S.F. Cinematheque.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Abbas Kiarostami: "Image Maker"

  Robert Avila
  Aug 2, 2007

  An impressive PFA series runs alongside an exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum of Kiarostami's striking photographic work.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Abbas Kiarostami: "Image Maker"

  Robert Avila
  Aug 2, 2007

  An impressive PFA series runs alongside an exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum of Kiarostami's striking photographic work.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Mateen Kemet, "On the Lot"

  Matt Sussman
  Jul 24, 2007

  While reality television may have reduced Warhol's 15 minutes to a 15 second sound byte, Kemet is setting his sights well beyond his time.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Mateen Kemet, "On the Lot"

  Matt Sussman
  Jul 24, 2007

  While reality television may have reduced Warhol's 15 minutes to a 15 second sound byte, Kemet is setting his sights well beyond his time.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Shonali Bose on "Amu"

  indieWIRE
  Jul 23, 2007

  The '05 feature imagines a 21-year-old Indian American returning to India to visit her family and discover where she was born.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  '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."

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Jasmine Dellal on her "Gypsy Caravan"

  Michael Fox
  Jul 2, 2007

  Jasmine Dellal's affinity for Roma (or Gypsy) and new film, Gypsy Caravan is a spectacular portrait of five top-drawer Roma acts.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "Lover Other"

  Matt Sussman
  Jun 26, 2007

  Review: startling portraits Claude Cahun, her half-sister and lover Marcel Moore took of themselves and each other dressed in a variety of personas, costumes and genders in Lover Other.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Andrea Sperling, powering up

  Claire Faggioli
  Jun 24, 2007

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

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Andrea Sperling, powering up

  Claire Faggioli
  Jun 24, 2007

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

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "American Cannibal" and Reality TV

  Claire Faggioli
  Jun 22, 2007

  List: American Cannibal documents two down on their luck television writers, Gil Ripley and Dave Roberts, as they sell their souls to the reality television circuit.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Hal Hartley, Not So Simple: Part II

  Robert Avila
  May 7, 2007

  The Unbelievable Truth helped jumpstart the independent film movement in the U.S. in 1989, followed by eight more Hartley features in the next decade.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  A Rob Nilsson 10

  Staff
  Apr 27, 2007

  The List: An Amerindie helmer well before the term was invented, Nilsson names 10 films which deeply affected him.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Kerry Laitala and Her New "Muse"

  Katherin McInnis
  Apr 25, 2007

  The artist's filmsÑsensual, intricate, tactileÑare a magical combination of optical artistry, snippets of forgotten films, and bits of lace, tape, and glitter.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Mike White's Alter Egos

  Michael Fox
  Apr 14, 2007

  White's heroes and heroines are content with their mundane lives until some uninvited intruder or unforeseen event exposes their frustration and complacency.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Paul Verhoeven and His "Black Book"

  Howard Feinstein/indieWIRE
  Apr 13, 2007

  Verhoeven's career can be divided between the character-driven movies he made in Holland and the slick genre films he directed in Hollywood after 1985.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Reviews: "Police Beat"; "The Page Turner"

  Dennis Harvey
  Apr 3, 2007

  It's taken over two years for Police Beat to go from one of the most praised films at Sundance to a theatre near you.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Amanda Micheli's Wonder Women

  Sean Uyehara
  Apr 2, 2007

  When Bay Area filmmaker Amanda Micheli approaches, you can see that she is an athlete. She's sure of herself.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  The SF International's GreenWorld contest turns a big issue over to the makers of shorts

  Miljenko Skoknic
  Mar 21, 2007

  The SFIFF GreenWorld Contest brings the vision of filmmakers to the forefront of environmental discourse through fiction, documentary, experimental, and essayistic films.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Favorite Artists at the SFIAAFF

  Jennifer Young
  Mar 21, 2007

  SF360.org checked in with actors and filmmakers roaming this year's festival to give props to their favorite Asian American artist, past or present.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Rory Kennedy and 'The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib'

  Michael Fox
  Feb 19, 2007

  Filmmaker Rory Kennedy talks about her process and approach with making her new chilling documentary Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "Alternative Visions" at the PFA

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Feb 15, 2007

  The Pacific Film Archive's standing as a cinema-centric educational institution brings the avant-garde into conversation with a broad program of film history.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "Alternative Visions" at the PFA

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Feb 15, 2007

  The Pacific Film Archive's standing as a cinema-centric educational institution brings the avant-garde into conversation with a broad program of film history.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  Key Events of 50th SFIFF Announced at Sundance

  Susan Gerhard
  Jan 23, 2007

  Highlights of the upcoming festival were presented by the San Francisco Film Society Executive Director.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  "Samoan Wedding"; "Romantico"

  Robert Avila
  Jan 16, 2007

  A delightfully funny movie on boy-men redeeming themselves from New Zealand, and Mark Becker's absorbing documentary on a musician in the Mission. 

  
• Reviews
  
  

  A Chilean Top Four

  Miljenko Skoknic
  Jan 12, 2007

  Miljenko Skoknic's list of favorites in Chilean Cinema.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Tom Tykwer and the scent of a serial killer

  Michael Fox
  Jan 8, 2007

  The director talks about his movie Perfume and his perspective as a filmmaker and artist.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  2006, The Remix

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 27, 2006

  SF360.org ended the year the way we started it--asking enormous favors from some of our favorite filmmakers: Caveh Zahedi, Sam Green, and Danny Plotnick.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  2006, The Remix

  Susan Gerhard
  Dec 27, 2006

  SF360.org ended the year the way we started it--asking enormous favors from some of our favorite filmmakers: Caveh Zahedi, Sam Green, and Danny Plotnick.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  James Broughton, and a DVD Eden

  Robert Avila
  Dec 20, 2006

  The product of a true cinematic innovator and gloriously individual poet, Broughton's film work remains much too idiosyncratic to be deconstructed,

  
• Reviews
  
  

  I, Spy

  Dennis Harvey
  Dec 19, 2006

  Spies are frequent movie characters, in part because we know so little about them. Nonetheless, The Good Shepherd is an unusual Hollywood project.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  James T. Hong on Heidegger, Hitler, and His New Film

  Cheryl Eddy
  Dec 18, 2006

  San Francisco artist James T. Hong is currently working on a documentary, tentatively titled New History Zero, which explores his interest in revisionist World War II history.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Written and Directed by Preston Sturges

  Max Goldberg
  Dec 13, 2006

  It would not seem to bode well for the stewardship of studio classics that Preston Sturges's indomitable comedies have been so slow to DVD.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Nathaniel Dorsky's Secret World

  Michael Fox
  Dec 5, 2006

  Song and Solitude, is a twilight sojourn to a secret world much like our own, rendered with profound patience and a hint of wistfulness.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Nathaniel Dorsky's Secret World

  Michael Fox
  Dec 5, 2006

  Song and Solitude, is a twilight sojourn to a secret world much like our own, rendered with profound patience and a hint of wistfulness.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  "Man Push Cart" Director's New York-by-Way-of-Pakistan Story

  Brian Brooks/indieWIRE
  Dec 4, 2006

  Ramin Bahrani's debut feature follows a solitary, quiet immigrant struggling to make a go of it in New York City.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Otto Motives, A Preminger Perspective

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 30, 2006

  The director, producer and sometime actor enjoyed a painless ride from well-off circumstances to well-connected beginnings to one of Hollywood's biggest names for decades.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Adrian Belic Goes 'Beyond the Call'

  Justin Juul
  Nov 27, 2006

  The filmmaker talks about tagging along with three renegade activists on their self-funded humanitarian excursions to war zones and disaster sites.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Teshigahara at The Castro

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 23, 2006

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

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Robert Altman 1925-2006

  Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
  Nov 22, 2006

  One month ago today, the maverick filmmaker was at the Hamptons International Film Festival reflecting upon his career at a tribute in his honor.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Case Studies in Indie Distribution at Digimart

  Sean Uyehara
  Nov 8, 2006

  The resounding refrain at Digimart 2006 was that the traditional model of independent film and video distribution was dying.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Case Studies in Indie Distribution at Digimart

  Sean Uyehara
  Nov 8, 2006

  The resounding refrain at Digimart 2006 was that the traditional model of independent film and video distribution was dying.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  51 Birch Street, Revisited

  indieWIRE
  Nov 6, 2006

  Through a close examination of his own family, filmmaker Doug Block explores universal questions about our own mothers and fathers in 51 Birch Street.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  The Mafia Doc "Excellent Cadavers"

  Dennis Harvey
  Nov 2, 2006

  Who knows what the Mafia, or Cosa Nostra as it's called in Sicily, is really like? Marco Turco's really-real chronicle, Excellent Cadavers.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Stanley Nelson on the Jonestown Tragedy

  Susan Gerhard
  Oct 30, 2006

  The veteran documentary maker describes the making of Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Crossing That Bridge

  Michael Fox
  Oct 24, 2006

  Eric Steel's disturbing, controversial documentary, The Bridge, focuses on people who end their lives at the famous landmark at the edge of the continent.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Crossing That Bridge

  Michael Fox
  Oct 24, 2006

  Eric Steel's disturbing, controversial documentary, The Bridge, focuses on people who end their lives at the famous landmark at the edge of the continent.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Amy Berg's "Deliver Us From Evil"

  indieWIRE
  Oct 23, 2006

  Segueing from network television news to documentary features, Amy Berg makes her debut with a shocking, powerful film about pedophile priest Oliver Grady.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Things You May or May Not Know About Miranda July

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Oct 19, 2006

  For close to a decade now, Miranda July has been exploring and often crossing the traditional boundaries between life and the movies.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Found: 'Marie Antoinette' in Paris

  Max Goldberg
  Oct 18, 2006

  After weeks of Western Europe, what better way for the young cineaste to crash the City of Light than a trip to the silver screen?

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Joseph McBride: All is Welles

  Michael Fox
  Oct 16, 2006

  Joseph McBride's What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of An Independent Career catalogs the director's amazingly prolific final 15 years.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  "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.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  City Poet Bruce Baillie Returns

  Johnny Ray Huston
  Oct 10, 2006

  When onlookers or bystanders disparagingly refer to experimental film as torturous or a bore, it’s a safe bet that they’ve never seen anything by Bruce Baillie.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Fighting for Freedom: Exploring Vachon's "Killer Life"

  Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
  Oct 3, 2006

  Killer Films' Christine Vachon's new memoir, A Killer Life (written with Austin Bunn), bolsters the producer as the driving force of independent film.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  John Cameron Mitchell's long "Shortbus" ride

  Susan Gerhard
  Oct 2, 2006

  John Cameron Mitchell's latest film: A bright, sexually explicit ensemble piece featuring American friends and acquaintances who might have made good primetime TV.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Opening "Red Doors" in Asian American Family

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 19, 2006

  Filmmaker Georgia Lee discusses her narrative feature with family member Frances Chang.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre on Border Life

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 18, 2006

  The Maquilapolis filmmakers talk about empowering their subjectsÑwomen factory workers in Tijuana.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Voting Protection-Related Sites

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 15, 2006

  The List: American Blackout director Ian Inaba names the top four Web sites.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Peter Whitehead's '60s

  Max Goldberg
  Sep 14, 2006

  The provocative documentary filmmaker is recalled with a retrospective at Yerba Buena Center For the Arts.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  MPAA in Sights of This Film Is Not Yet Rated

  Michael Fox
  Sep 12, 2006

  Filmmaker Kirby Dick talks about censorship, and discrimination against independent films.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema 2006

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 1, 2006

  The List:10 local filmmakers describe what they love about shooting on the streets of San Francisco.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema 2006

  Susan Gerhard
  Sep 1, 2006

  The List:10 local filmmakers describe what they love about shooting on the streets of San Francisco.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Laura Poitras" "My Country, My Country"

  indieWIRE
  Aug 28, 2006

  Director Laura Poitras’ traveled to Iraq for her latest film, “My Country, My Country.”

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Bukowski By the Bunch

  Dennis Harvey
  Aug 24, 2006

  The author's cult gets another buck-up from the release of Norwegian director Bent Hamer;s first English-language feature, Factotum.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Ryan Fleck: Wrestling with 'Half Nelson'

  indieWIRE
  Aug 21, 2006

  Ryan Fleck talks about his new film Half Nelson, his filmmaking career, and his creative inspirations and tastes.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Morpho Power at SIGGRAPH

  Sean Uyehara
  Aug 16, 2006

  The Association for Computing Machinery Ôs 2006 conference and exhibition offered animation, new media art exhibits and the latest techniques in interactivity.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Night Listening with Patrick Stettner

  indieWIRE
  Aug 14, 2006

  The director of The Business of Strangers talks about his second feature, starring Robin Williams.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Keith Fulton and "Brothers of the Head"

  indieWIRE
  Aug 8, 2006

  The co-director talks about his provocative fictional documentary about conjoined twins groomed for rock Ôn' roll stardom.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Francois Ozon, Mortal

  B. Ruby Rich
  Aug 2, 2006

  Ozon's Time to Leave demonstrates how central he's become to European cinema, and reminds us that he's among gay world cinema's most accomplished writer/directors.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer, from the Salton Sea to San Francisco

  Michael Fox
  Jul 31, 2006

  Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer talk about their acclaimed debut Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea, their influences, and making films in San Francisco.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer, from the Salton Sea to San Francisco

  Michael Fox
  Jul 31, 2006

  Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer talk about their acclaimed debut Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea, their influences, and making films in San Francisco.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  We Want Our "Dykeback Mountain"

  Staff
  Jun 27, 2006

  Conference discusses the difficulties for lesbian features to get made and do well at the box office.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Mat Whitecross and the Rough "Road to Guantanamo"

  Susan Gerhard
  Jun 26, 2006

  Mat Whitecross talks about his documentary The Road to Guantanamo, which takes a look at the inhumanity of U.S. "detainment" camps in Cuba.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Bay Area Filmmakers at SF International LGBT Film Festival

  Susan Gerhard
  Jun 23, 2006

  16 filmmakers from the Bay Area find at least 15 minutes of fame in the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival this year.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival

  Dennis Harvey
  Jun 15, 2006

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

  
• Q & A
  
  

  The Outsiders

  Susan Gerhard
  Jun 14, 2006

  Sheerly Avni talks about his book, Cinema by the Bay, a rich, visual history of San Francisco Bay Area filmmaking. 

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Marc Huestis and a Wrinkle in Time

  Susan Gerhard
  Jun 13, 2006

  Marc Huestis talks about his latest film, , and the pros and cons of getting old.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  The San Francisco Black Film Festival

  Cheryl Eddy
  Jun 12, 2006

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

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Dominic Angerame on Making "Consume"

  Dominic Angerame
  May 31, 2006

  Dominic Angerame describes the techniques he used while making Consume, and their surprising results.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  New Executive Director of S.F. Cinematheque on Experimental Film

  Michael Fox
  May 29, 2006

  Newly appointed S.F. Cinematheque executive director Caroline Savage discusses the state of experimental film.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Showstopping Filmmakers Rodney Ascher and Syd Garon

  Danny Plotnick
  May 17, 2006

  Rodney Ascher and Syd Garon are only two people whose works curator Danny Plotnick would show sight unseen.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  Showstopping Filmmakers Rodney Ascher and Syd Garon

  Danny Plotnick
  May 17, 2006

  Rodney Ascher and Syd Garon are only two people whose works curator Danny Plotnick would show sight unseen.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Filmmaker William Farley's Peripheral Vision

  Robert Avila
  May 16, 2006

  After 35 years of underground success, veteran indie filmmaker William Farley still hovers just off the shore of mainstream respectability.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  A Writer and Filmmaker Bring "Alice" to the Screen

  Staff
  May 10, 2006

  Insights into the initial process of bringing the screenplay adaptation of a short story to the screen.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Terry Zwigoff, "Confidential" and Uncensored

  Michael Fox
  May 8, 2006

  San Francisco filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, a former curmudgeon softened by success, discusses Art School Confidential.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Choose Your Words

  Robert Avila
  Apr 27, 2006

  Memorize these words that supposedly can bring you under government scrutiny when said over the phone, or written in a text message or email.

  
• Festivals
  
  

  International REMIX

  Susan Gerhard
  Apr 19, 2006

  If you haven't yet found your repurpose in life, SFIFF's International Remix site might be of use.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  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.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  "Full Grown Men" On the Road

  Michael Fox
  Apr 17, 2006

  David Munro and Xandra Castleton speak about making their indie Full Grown Men and taking it to the Tribeca Film Festival.

  
• Reviews
  
  

  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.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  A JT LeRoy Reader

  Susan Gerhard
  Mar 23, 2006

  The List: How JT LeRoy went from fiction to fact in the media.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Filmmaker Ham Tran Rights an Historical Wrong

  Thomas Logoreci
  Mar 21, 2006

  Vietnamese American filmmaker Ham Tran rights an historical wrong in his debut feature film on the Vietnam War.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Cambodian Americans Exiled in New Film, Sentenced Home

  Susan Gerhard
  Mar 20, 2006

  A conversation with the filmmakers and one star of "Sentenced Home," about three Cambodian Americans in the process of being exiled.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Public Defender Jeff Adachi Adds Filmmaker to Resume

  Susan Gerhard
  Mar 13, 2006

  Jeff Adachi, San Francisco public defender, adds filmmaker to the resume.

  
• News & Blogs
  
  

  Garrett Scott, Filmmaker, 1968-2006

  Christopher D. Cook
  Mar 8, 2006

  A tribute to the life and work of the late documentary maker Garrett Scott.

  
• Q & A
  
  

  Interview With Richard Leacock and D.A. Pennebaker

  Susan Gerhard
  Mar 7, 2006

  Direct cinema pioneers Richard Leacock and D.A. Pennebaker discuss seeing and believing.

  
• Deadlines
  
  

  Funding: Oppenheimer Cine Rental New Filmmaker Equipment Grant Program

  The Oppenheimer Cine Rental New Filmmaker Equipment Grant Program supports new filmmakers in producing their first serious film project. The grant awards the use of Grant Program Arriflex 16SR2 camera package to senior and graduate thesis students and to independent filmmakers for a scheduled period of time. ELIGIBILITY: Students, media arts center members and unaffiliated independents are encouraged to apply. Proposed projects may be of any noncommercial nature: dramatic, narrative, documentary, experimental, etc. (Commercial projects, music videos and PSAs will not be considered.) DEADLINE: Ongoing. WEBSITE: oppenheimercinerental.com/grant.html.