2010-01-4

Cultural icon Steven Severin to perform Music for Silents

by Michael Read
The iconoclastic musician will perform live in accompaniment to The Seashell and the Clergyman and other provocative silent films at SF360 Film+Club, Tuesday, January 12.

2009-09-3

A letter from Crude filmmaker Joe Berlinger

by Joe Berlinger
Director Joe Berlinger discusses the production of Crude, which tells the story of the largest environmental lawsuit on the planet. 30,000 indigenous people and poverty-stricken campesinos (peasant farmers) are suing Chevron for $27 billion, claiming that Texaco created a “cancer death zone.”

2009-09-01

The mystery of Lucrecia Martel and The Headless Woman

by Gail Spilsbury
Martel’s enigmatic puzzle of a movie begins run at SFFS Screen at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas September 18.

2009-9-1

Roy Andersson—and reality—elucidated

by Erik Augustin Palm
The Swedish director traces his roots and sets the stage for You, the Living’s SFFS Screen run beginning September 25.

2009-07-01

Bring on the Bull

by Kathryn Hassanein
Like most Spaniards, filmmakers Gemma Cubero and Celeste Carrasco grew up with bullfighting held to be the quintessential symbol of masculinity and bravery in Spanish culture. Their directorial debut, Ella Es el Matador (she is the matador) challenges that deeply-rooted cultural stereotype by telling the controversial story of female matadors.

2009-07-01

A Chat with Richard Levien

by Jennifer Preissel
New Zealand transplant Richard Levien, a longstanding fixture of the San Francisco indie film community, has until recently been known primarily as an editor. That changed forever during this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival.

2009-07-01

Students Wrap Up the Festival the Write Way

by Joanne Parsont
The Film Society presented the second annual Schools at the Festival Student Essay Contest at SFIFF52, sponsored by the Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Education Fund.

2009-07-01

Thinking Green

by Ryan Prendiville
It takes money to make a film. Even in the best of times this inconvenient reality can be daunting for an aspiring filmmaker to face. At Think Like a Funder, an SFFS Film Arts Forum event held in June, filmmakers connected to get insight into the fundraising process.

2009-03-01

Crossfire at the Film Arts Forum

by Kathryn Hassanein
Bimonthy networking event grapples with online distribution.

2009-01-01

César Charlone Turns to Directing

by Miguel Pendás
Celebrated Oscar-nominated cinematographer César Charlone recently codirected his first theatrical feature film The Pope’s Toilet, a darkly comic farce about Pope John Paul II’s visit to a sleepy Uruguayan hamlet.

2009-01-01

Opening Young Minds to the Art of Film

by Joanne Parsont
The Film Society’s Youth Education program introduces young students to the art of filmmaking in many fun and engaging ways. A look back at recent events and initiatives reveals how the program facilitates students’ awareness as filmgoers, develops media literacy and critical thinking skills and empowers them as true global citizens.

2009-01-01

San Francisco’s New Hub for Independent Filmmakers

by Kathryn Hassanein
In partnership with the San Francisco Film Commission, SFFS has opened up 2,800 square feet of natural-light filled production space free of charge for filmmakers who are awarded one-, three- or six-month FilmHouse residences.

2008-05-14

The 2008 State of Cinema Address

by Kevin Kelly
Read the complete transcript of the 2008 State of Cinema Address.

2007-05-01

The 2007 State of Cinema Address

Peter Sellars
Read the complete transcript of the 2007 State of Cinema Address.

2006-05-01

The 2006 State of Cinema Address

Tilda Swinton
Read the complete transcript of the 2006 State of Cinema Address.