SF International Film Festival Announces Full Lineup
The San Francisco International Film Fest (SFIFF), one of the longest running film festivals in the country, has just announced the full line up for its 57th year. Taking place April 24 through May 8, this year’s festival boasts 168 films, including 74 Narrative Features, 29 Documentary Features, and a number of world and U.S. premieres. In addition to the exciting and comprehensive slate of global film to grace the silver screens of San Francisco, the festival will also be host to a number of special guests, filmmakers, events, and, of course, prizes for this year’s winning filmmakers.
This year’s highlights include the always great Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night films. Jump starting the festival is the North American premiere writer Hossain Amini’s (Drive) directorial debut The Two Faces of January at the Castro Theatre. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, and Oscar Isaac, it’s an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith thriller that finds all three on the run in Greece and Turkey.
The Centerpiece film Palo Alto hits the Sundance Kabuki Theater on May 3. Adapted from James Franco’s book Palo Alto Stories, Gia Coppola helms the teen-centered drama which also stars Franco, Emma Roberts, and Jack Kilmer. Wrapping things up this year is Alex of Venice at the Castro Theater on May 8. Actor Chris Messina takes dual roles as director and actor in a story about a hardworking woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who’s life is turned upside down when her stay-at-home husband (Messina) leaves the house she shares with her father (Don Johnson).
In addition to the films that will be screening, there will also be a number of awards will also be handed out to heavyweights in the industry, including the Founder’s Directing Award which will given to Richard Linklater. Not only will the director of such classics like Dazed and Confused and the recent Before Midnight be the recipient of the prestigious award, but his new film Boyhood, which was filmed over a period of 12 years, will be screened and he’ll be on hand to discuss his career and legacy in An Evening with Richard Linklater at the Castro Theater on May 2.
Other award recipients include Stephen Gaghan (Syriana) for the Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting; Pixar’s John Lasseter for the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award for his unique contributions to the art of cinema; Film historian and author David Thompson for the Mel Novikoff Award for his contribution to the public’s appreciation of global cinema; and filmmaker Isaac Julien for The Golden Gate Persistence of Vision Award for his outstanding film work outside of narrative cinema.
For more information on the festival, films, events, and for tickets, head over to the official SFIFF website.
