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Film Festival Time
by CineSource
Although the International Women's Festival, programmed by Sundancer Roberta Munro, has passed, as has the Sonoma IFF, featuring Bruce Willis (both on the first of April), this is festival time. We are in the thick of the "spring cinema riot" of the San Francisco International Film Festival, and there are plenty more events to come. Every month, we list festivals on our last calendar page, but we thought it best to bring it forward so you don't miss hearing about any of them.
OPEN
Ongoing
MetaCafe Short Film Festival
http://www.metacafe.com
Ongoing juried online and offline film festival, presenting the best in international creative and contemporary short film & video entertainment.
MAY
April 23 - May 7
San Francisco International Film Festival
Multiple Venues, SF • http://www.sffs.org
SFIFF has an international reputation for bringing the world's finest films and filmmakers together. Indeed, it continues this month with more from its fantastic lineup of 150 films from Cameroon, Afghanistan, Taiwan, South Korea, Argentina, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as numerous events and awards, including recognitions of Francis Ford Coppola and Robert Redford. The Academy of Motion Pictures recognizes SFIFF as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards. (See article page one.)
May 14 - 23
San Joaquin International Film Festival
Redding to Bakersfield, CA
http://www.sjiff.org
Enjoy the Central Valley's biggest celebration of global cinema. SJIFF2 will showcase an exciting and diverse collection of over 125 films ranging from Argentina to Uganda.
May 15
City Shorts Student Film Festival
Diego Rivera Theater, City College
San Francisco, CA
http://www.myspace.com/cityshorts
The ninth annual City Shorts Film Festival will again feature a program of innovative student short films reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area. There are no tickets to buy, but there is a suggested donation at the door.
May 16, 17, 20
Mini-Israeli Festival
Cubberley Community Theater
Palo Alto, CA • http://www.sjjff.org
In honor of Israel's 61st anniversary, the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival is hosting a small film festival spread out over three days. The films will be Shiva (Seven Days), a portrait of a Moroccan family in mourning; Avodah Aravit (Arab Labor), a satiric sitcom; and It's Now or Never, which features a variety of leading figures of the Middle East like David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and King Abdullah. Tickets are available in advance online or at the door.
May 18 - 24
San Francisco Greek Film Festival
Delancey Street Screening Room
San Francisco, CA • http://www.grfilm.com
A gateway to contemporary Greece, the festival will showcase 9 feature length and 7 short films that have received acclaim in Greece and throughout the world. Following the opening night reception on Monday, May 18, each weekday night of the festival will see a short film followed by a feature, with double features on Saturday and Sunday. The centerpiece will be a rare screening of the original version of Nikos Koundouros's 1958 masterpiece Oi Paranomoi (The Outlaws, scene shown above). Tickets are available on their Website.
May 28-30
Anti-Corporate Film Festival
Victoria Theatre, SF
http://www.countercorp.org
The CounterCorp Anti-Corporate Film Festival, now in its fourth consecutive year, is moving to May in 2009, with a three-day event spanning May 28 through May 30.
May 29-31
Mendocino Film Festival
Mendocino College Center Theater, Ukiah
http://www.mendocinofilmfestival.org
Narrative features, shorts, documentaries and animation. Featuring special guest appearances, and an opening party on May 29th.
Throughout May
Film Night
Various Events • http://www.filmnight.org
As of press time, there was no word on where this season's film nights will take place, what they will be showing, or even when they will be - but rest assured, they are always successful crowd-pleasers. Call 415-453-4333 or check Website for update.
May 30 - June 7
San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival
Roxie Cinema • San Francisco, CA
http://www.sexworkerfest.com
The sixth annual Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival will include film, music and art, done by, for and about sex workers, highlighting their rights as contributors to the economy and their hopes of becoming a legalized mainstream industry. Put on by the International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education, screenings and events will take place Saturday and Sunday, with music and arts programming during the week.
JUNE
June 5-18
Another Hole in the Head
Roxie Theatre • San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfindie.com • 415.820.3907
This festival presents the finest in contemporary horror, horror-comedy, sci-fi and dark fantasy with a collection of films from America and abroad. If the myriad traumas of daily life in the big city get to be too much and it seems like only neuron-shattering screams or a trip to an alternate universe will ease your mind, then this is just what the mad doctor ordered: a campy, exploitative, bizarre two-week festival of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. Curated by the same folks who do the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the fifth freakfest installment is sure to please... if that's something you're into.
June 4 - 7 and June 11 - 14
San Francisco Black Film Festival
Location TBA
San Francisco, CA • http://www.sfbff.org
Since 1998, the San Francisco Black Film Festival has been showcasing a diversity of films by established and emerging black filmmakers targeting black audiences, to reinforce positive images, dispel negative ones and facilitate discussion among black filmmakers. Although its founder Ave Montague tragically died in January 2009 at age 64 (see her speak on CineClips), the festival lives on, celebrating the richness of Black culture and the African diaspora and highlighting while recognizing universal themes among all cultures. http://www.sfbff.org
June Sometime • Will Announce May 19
Frameline33: The San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Castro, Roxie, Victoria Theaters
San Francisco, CA
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
Berkeley, CA • http://www.frameline.org
World's oldest and largest celebration of LGBT cinema, now in its 33rd year, the International LGBT Film Festival is a legendary showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from over 20 countries. Relish the power of film with hundreds of raucous, rowdy and revolutionary films during the 11 days of Frameline33, with work from over 20 countries. Festival will screen films at the Castro, Roxie and Victoria theatres in San Francisco, as well as the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood in Berkeley.
June 12 - 14
Queer Women of Color Film Festival
Brava Theater
San Francisco, CA • http://www.qwocmap.org
The Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) will present 25 world premiere films in three days for their fifth annual festival. QWOCFF promotes a variety of films that reflect the rich spectrum of voices amongst queer women of color. This year, rather than focusing on one particular heritage for the festival as they usually do, the project has decided to showcase films that depict the pressing issue of immigration. There are a number of programs planned, including the introduction of a DVD and Study Guide series called "Multiple Borders." All screenings are free.
JULY
July 5 - 31
LaborFest • Location TBA
San Francisco, CA • http://www.laborfest.net
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the San Francisco General Strike and the West Coast maritime workers strike, LaborFest will be hosting many special events, including a film festival to showcase footage of the legendary '34 strike. Call for location and dates of screenings (415) 642-8066
July (tentatively) 24 - 25
Brainwash Movies Drive-In/ Walk-In Movie Festival
TBA but probably the Mandela Village Art Center, West Oakland, CA
http://www.brainwashm.com
http://www.filmperspective.com/?p=39
The New York Times said this festival "pirat[es] a piece of that old Hollywood magic and challeng[es] conventions on the role of public space in the process." To which festival director Shelby Toland said, "We show movies on a big sail in West Oakland." Each year this openly scatterbrained if unpretentious film festival features original short films from all over the world. Call Shelby Toland, 415-273-1545
July 23 - August 10
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Location TBA
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival has long been a showcase for all things Jewish.
July 23-30: Castro Theatre, San Francisco
August 8-9: JCCSF, San Francisco
August 1-8: Roda Theatre (Berkeley Rep), Berkeley
August 1 - August 6: CineArts, Palo Alto Posted on Sep 22, 2010 - 12:10 AM
by CineSource
Although the International Women's Festival, programmed by Sundancer Roberta Munro, has passed, as has the Sonoma IFF, featuring Bruce Willis (both on the first of April), this is festival time. We are in the thick of the "spring cinema riot" of the San Francisco International Film Festival, and there are plenty more events to come. Every month, we list festivals on our last calendar page, but we thought it best to bring it forward so you don't miss hearing about any of them.
OPEN
Ongoing
MetaCafe Short Film Festival
http://www.metacafe.com
Ongoing juried online and offline film festival, presenting the best in international creative and contemporary short film & video entertainment.
MAY
April 23 - May 7
San Francisco International Film Festival
Multiple Venues, SF • http://www.sffs.org
SFIFF has an international reputation for bringing the world's finest films and filmmakers together. Indeed, it continues this month with more from its fantastic lineup of 150 films from Cameroon, Afghanistan, Taiwan, South Korea, Argentina, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as numerous events and awards, including recognitions of Francis Ford Coppola and Robert Redford. The Academy of Motion Pictures recognizes SFIFF as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards. (See article page one.)
May 14 - 23
San Joaquin International Film Festival
Redding to Bakersfield, CA
http://www.sjiff.org
Enjoy the Central Valley's biggest celebration of global cinema. SJIFF2 will showcase an exciting and diverse collection of over 125 films ranging from Argentina to Uganda.
May 15
City Shorts Student Film Festival
Diego Rivera Theater, City College
San Francisco, CA
http://www.myspace.com/cityshorts
The ninth annual City Shorts Film Festival will again feature a program of innovative student short films reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area. There are no tickets to buy, but there is a suggested donation at the door.
May 16, 17, 20
Mini-Israeli Festival
Cubberley Community Theater
Palo Alto, CA • http://www.sjjff.org
In honor of Israel's 61st anniversary, the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival is hosting a small film festival spread out over three days. The films will be Shiva (Seven Days), a portrait of a Moroccan family in mourning; Avodah Aravit (Arab Labor), a satiric sitcom; and It's Now or Never, which features a variety of leading figures of the Middle East like David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and King Abdullah. Tickets are available in advance online or at the door.
May 18 - 24
San Francisco Greek Film Festival
Delancey Street Screening Room
San Francisco, CA • http://www.grfilm.com
A gateway to contemporary Greece, the festival will showcase 9 feature length and 7 short films that have received acclaim in Greece and throughout the world. Following the opening night reception on Monday, May 18, each weekday night of the festival will see a short film followed by a feature, with double features on Saturday and Sunday. The centerpiece will be a rare screening of the original version of Nikos Koundouros's 1958 masterpiece Oi Paranomoi (The Outlaws, scene shown above). Tickets are available on their Website.
May 28-30
Anti-Corporate Film Festival
Victoria Theatre, SF
http://www.countercorp.org
The CounterCorp Anti-Corporate Film Festival, now in its fourth consecutive year, is moving to May in 2009, with a three-day event spanning May 28 through May 30.
May 29-31
Mendocino Film Festival
Mendocino College Center Theater, Ukiah
http://www.mendocinofilmfestival.org
Narrative features, shorts, documentaries and animation. Featuring special guest appearances, and an opening party on May 29th.
Throughout May
Film Night
Various Events • http://www.filmnight.org
As of press time, there was no word on where this season's film nights will take place, what they will be showing, or even when they will be - but rest assured, they are always successful crowd-pleasers. Call 415-453-4333 or check Website for update.
May 30 - June 7
San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival
Roxie Cinema • San Francisco, CA
http://www.sexworkerfest.com
The sixth annual Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival will include film, music and art, done by, for and about sex workers, highlighting their rights as contributors to the economy and their hopes of becoming a legalized mainstream industry. Put on by the International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education, screenings and events will take place Saturday and Sunday, with music and arts programming during the week.
JUNE
June 5-18
Another Hole in the Head
Roxie Theatre • San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfindie.com • 415.820.3907
This festival presents the finest in contemporary horror, horror-comedy, sci-fi and dark fantasy with a collection of films from America and abroad. If the myriad traumas of daily life in the big city get to be too much and it seems like only neuron-shattering screams or a trip to an alternate universe will ease your mind, then this is just what the mad doctor ordered: a campy, exploitative, bizarre two-week festival of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. Curated by the same folks who do the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the fifth freakfest installment is sure to please... if that's something you're into.
June 4 - 7 and June 11 - 14
San Francisco Black Film Festival
Location TBA
San Francisco, CA • http://www.sfbff.org
Since 1998, the San Francisco Black Film Festival has been showcasing a diversity of films by established and emerging black filmmakers targeting black audiences, to reinforce positive images, dispel negative ones and facilitate discussion among black filmmakers. Although its founder Ave Montague tragically died in January 2009 at age 64 (see her speak on CineClips), the festival lives on, celebrating the richness of Black culture and the African diaspora and highlighting while recognizing universal themes among all cultures. http://www.sfbff.org
June Sometime • Will Announce May 19
Frameline33: The San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Castro, Roxie, Victoria Theaters
San Francisco, CA
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
Berkeley, CA • http://www.frameline.org
World's oldest and largest celebration of LGBT cinema, now in its 33rd year, the International LGBT Film Festival is a legendary showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from over 20 countries. Relish the power of film with hundreds of raucous, rowdy and revolutionary films during the 11 days of Frameline33, with work from over 20 countries. Festival will screen films at the Castro, Roxie and Victoria theatres in San Francisco, as well as the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood in Berkeley.
June 12 - 14
Queer Women of Color Film Festival
Brava Theater
San Francisco, CA • http://www.qwocmap.org
The Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) will present 25 world premiere films in three days for their fifth annual festival. QWOCFF promotes a variety of films that reflect the rich spectrum of voices amongst queer women of color. This year, rather than focusing on one particular heritage for the festival as they usually do, the project has decided to showcase films that depict the pressing issue of immigration. There are a number of programs planned, including the introduction of a DVD and Study Guide series called "Multiple Borders." All screenings are free.
JULY
July 5 - 31
LaborFest • Location TBA
San Francisco, CA • http://www.laborfest.net
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the San Francisco General Strike and the West Coast maritime workers strike, LaborFest will be hosting many special events, including a film festival to showcase footage of the legendary '34 strike. Call for location and dates of screenings (415) 642-8066
July (tentatively) 24 - 25
Brainwash Movies Drive-In/ Walk-In Movie Festival
TBA but probably the Mandela Village Art Center, West Oakland, CA
http://www.brainwashm.com
http://www.filmperspective.com/?p=39
The New York Times said this festival "pirat[es] a piece of that old Hollywood magic and challeng[es] conventions on the role of public space in the process." To which festival director Shelby Toland said, "We show movies on a big sail in West Oakland." Each year this openly scatterbrained if unpretentious film festival features original short films from all over the world. Call Shelby Toland, 415-273-1545
July 23 - August 10
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Location TBA
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival has long been a showcase for all things Jewish.
July 23-30: Castro Theatre, San Francisco
August 8-9: JCCSF, San Francisco
August 1-8: Roda Theatre (Berkeley Rep), Berkeley
August 1 - August 6: CineArts, Palo Alto Posted on Sep 22, 2010 - 12:10 AM
