BAY AREA FILM FESTIVAL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
A packed house at the legendary Castro Theatre during the 51st San Francisco International Film Festival, April 24 – May 8, 2008.
The Bay Area will be taken over by cinematic celebrations for the next three months. This week kicks off with San Francisco International Film Festival.
Film and pop culture lovers: rejoice! Festival season is upon us. The Bay Area will be taken over by cinematic celebrations for the next three months, having started with Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose and Redwood City in March.
Coming up we have San Francisco International Film Festival, the Center for Asian American Media Fest, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival Frameline42, and San Francisco Black Film Festival. These festivals have been selected to showcase films that have already generated buzz at Sundance, South by Southwest, and Toronto Film Festival, so chances are you’ll hear about them again come Oscar time. Plus, with incredible diversity of focus, even under-served audiences are sure to find movies that connect.
San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival kicked off this week and will be showcasing work submitted from around the world for the next two weeks all over the Bay Area. A bevy of talent will head into town for it and a large contingent of Bay Area artists’ work will be featured. Most notably, the festival centerpiece is Bay Area rapper and producer Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You, featuring music by Oakland-based Tune-Yards and The Coup. You can search the schedule by interest, my favorite this year being films by women writers, directors, and producers. I’ve seen several of the films already and they are moving, bizarre, entertaining, and I can’t wait to see more.
CAAM FestIn May we can look forward to celebrating CAAM Fest’s 36th anniversary, put on by the Center for Asian American Media. Highlights include Gala Presentations, CAAMFeast, shorts, documentaries and live music.
Frameline42June will bring us Frameline42, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. It’s the longest-running, largest LGBTQ film event in the world with an annual attendance of over 60,000…so chances are, you’re already seeing at least one of the 147 outstanding films this year. This year’s Genre Queer theme looks like it’s brought in quite the lineup. Talent also tends to turn up for this one.
San Francisco Black Film FestivalThe 20th San Francisco Black Film Festival runs from June 14 to 18, celebrating African American cinema and showcasing new as well as established talent. Danny Glover will be making a return appearance this year.
Silicon Valley Comic ConFor festivals outside of film, there’s the 3rd Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose April 6 to 8. It was founded by Steve Wozniak and Stan Lee, and both are slated to attend. There will be panels, vendor booths, and a bevy of photo opportunities. You’ll also definitely see me wandering around the center that weekend, so say hi!
Cinequest Film FestivalAt the 2018 Cinequest Film Festival, I chatted with Will Ferrell about his favorite characters, caught up with Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon on what it’s like to see their personal story play out The Big Sick, sped through rapid-fire with the people behind Tell Me Your Name, and more. Check it out.
Coming up we have San Francisco International Film Festival, the Center for Asian American Media Fest, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival Frameline42, and San Francisco Black Film Festival. These festivals have been selected to showcase films that have already generated buzz at Sundance, South by Southwest, and Toronto Film Festival, so chances are you’ll hear about them again come Oscar time. Plus, with incredible diversity of focus, even under-served audiences are sure to find movies that connect.
San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival kicked off this week and will be showcasing work submitted from around the world for the next two weeks all over the Bay Area. A bevy of talent will head into town for it and a large contingent of Bay Area artists’ work will be featured. Most notably, the festival centerpiece is Bay Area rapper and producer Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You, featuring music by Oakland-based Tune-Yards and The Coup. You can search the schedule by interest, my favorite this year being films by women writers, directors, and producers. I’ve seen several of the films already and they are moving, bizarre, entertaining, and I can’t wait to see more.
CAAM FestIn May we can look forward to celebrating CAAM Fest’s 36th anniversary, put on by the Center for Asian American Media. Highlights include Gala Presentations, CAAMFeast, shorts, documentaries and live music.
Frameline42June will bring us Frameline42, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. It’s the longest-running, largest LGBTQ film event in the world with an annual attendance of over 60,000…so chances are, you’re already seeing at least one of the 147 outstanding films this year. This year’s Genre Queer theme looks like it’s brought in quite the lineup. Talent also tends to turn up for this one.
San Francisco Black Film FestivalThe 20th San Francisco Black Film Festival runs from June 14 to 18, celebrating African American cinema and showcasing new as well as established talent. Danny Glover will be making a return appearance this year.
Silicon Valley Comic ConFor festivals outside of film, there’s the 3rd Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose April 6 to 8. It was founded by Steve Wozniak and Stan Lee, and both are slated to attend. There will be panels, vendor booths, and a bevy of photo opportunities. You’ll also definitely see me wandering around the center that weekend, so say hi!
Cinequest Film FestivalAt the 2018 Cinequest Film Festival, I chatted with Will Ferrell about his favorite characters, caught up with Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon on what it’s like to see their personal story play out The Big Sick, sped through rapid-fire with the people behind Tell Me Your Name, and more. Check it out.
This article originally appeared on KFOG.com on April 5, 2018.