After the pandemic postponed and rescheduled this globally-esteemed event, the San Francisco International Film Festival will debut again this year for its 65th iteration.
Beginning April 21st and spanning through May 1st, this two-week long exhibition will showcase over 100 films from 56 different countries within the iconic Castro Theater, as well as throughout other notable cinemas around the city and the Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive.
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As the longest running American film festival since 1957, this massive spectacle is also recognized for its inclusive selection. This year is no different, for the wide array of impeccable films includes an emphasis on female and non-binary directors, as well as more Black, indigenous, and people of color filmmakers.
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Beginning in 1957 by film exhibitor Irving Levin, the SFIFF was meant to secure and stimulate the San Francisco art and cinema scene. After both Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood and Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali premiered in the inaugural festival, San Francisco cemented its cultural influence within the international cinematic community.
In 2009 specifically, over 80,000 spectators flocked to the city’s theaters to attend all the screenings, and this year it is expected to match if not exceed that amount of movie fans wanting exclusive viewings.
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The Golden Gate Awards are even distributed to honor the best works within 12 diverse categories of documentary, narrative, short film, and more, totalling $25,500.
Five films on our radar to check out for their masterful production qualities and ingeniously groundbreaking plotlines include:
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Premiering on opening night and directed by Jamie Sisley, this emotional and vulnerable drama focuses on two boys searching their streets to find their missing opioid-addicted mother.
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This moving documentary filmed over 3 years by Diễm Hà Lệ centers on precocious and blithe Di, who is thirteen and entering the Hmong tradition of forced marriage, or “bride kidnapping.”
This evocative film will have two screenings- Friday, April 22nd at 5:30 pm in the Vogue Theatre, and Saturday, April 23rd at 3pm in the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive.
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On April 23rd at 8pm in the Castro Theater will be this tale of female passion by Claire Denis. Starring Juliette Binoche, this steamy French film will follow her character Sara as she navigates love between two men, her husban Jean (Vincent Lindon), and her ex François (Gregoire Colin).
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Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 pm in the Victoria Theatre will be this Sloan Science on Screen Award recipient. Jim Gaffigan delivers a hilarious yet heartfelt performance as someone who encounters a fallen satellite, leading to quirky and emotional adventures as he finds his meaning.
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Lastly, on closing night, Saturday, Apr 30th at 7pm in the Castro Theatre will be this fun and modern coming-of-age tale starring Dakota Johnson as a single mother, directed by Cooper Raiff. Both Johnson and Raiff are expected to attend the closing event.
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All tickets can be found at the SFIFF site. Which one are you excited for?
Photography by: Felix Mooneram/Unsplash
