While the San Francisco International Film Festival ramps up for its 57th year on April 24 through May 8, some details and events have begun trickling out. Two such events this year will involve the music of Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields) and San Francisco’s own Thao Nguyen with her band The Get Down Stay Down, playing live against silent films.

Despite being a fan favorite of the festival, it’s been almost a decade since there has been a presentation of a silent film accompanied by a live musical performance. First up is Thao & The Get Down Stay Down playing along to a selection of classic and contemporary silent shorts, including some of Thao Nguyen’s own silent short films. The event will take place April 29 at the Castro Theatre.

On May 6, also at Castro Theatre, Stephin Merritt, best known as the leader of The Magnetic Fields, will be providing his own live, original score to Tod Browning’s silent horror film The Unknown.

Stay tuned for more SFIFF news as it becomes available.

Head over to SFIFF’s official website for advanced tickets.

• Tag: Get Down Stay Down, San Francisco International Film Festival, Stephinn Merritt, Thao Nguyen, The Magnetic Fields