Cinephiles in the San Francisco area have plenty of opportunities to satisfy their needs for film from Oct. 21 to Oct. 28, 2011. There will be both free and affordable events including indie film festivals, parties, and screenings. Besides a German film festival and a documentary film festival, a weekend festival celebrating children’s films provides kid-friendly entertainment. Due to parking difficulties, using public transportation is recommended for all events, as is checking to ensure all listed schedules are correct.
Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
Two animated films, “Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage” and “Tales of the Night,” will be shown in full 3-D at the Letterman Digital Arts Studio at 5:00 p.m. to open the SF Films Society/New York International Children’s Film Festival, featuring films aimed at audiences ages 3-18. The event includes an Opening Night Party at 6:00 p.m. at the Palm Room in the San Francisco Film Centre in the Presidio with kid-friendly activities, conversations with filmmakers, and free wine for ages 21 and up. Tickets are available for advance purchase, at the door, or via a Facebook contest.
The Castro Theatre hosts the international premiere of “Joschka & Mr. Fischer,” as part of the 16th annual Berlin and Beyond Film Festival presented by the Goethe Institut-San Francisco. It showcases films from German-speaking European countries, with filmmakers and actors in person at all events. The event opens at 3:30 p.m. with tickets available in advance or at the door.
The Roxie Theatre showcases “At Night, They Dance,” to open week two of the 11th SF DocFest, a festival exclusively featuring indie documentaries. Festival activities include costume contests, parties, and conversation with directors. The show begins at 7:15 p.m. with a concurrent screening of “First Position.” Tickets are only available at the door.
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011
The SF Films’ Society/New York International Children’s Film Festival moves to the New People Cinema Premier Theater, featuring “Girl’s POV” at 4:15 p.m. The show begins at 10:00 a.m. with “Tigers and Tattoos — and More!”
The Castro Theatre showcases “Little Alien” for the Berlin & Beyond festival at 3:00 p.m., with “In Transit: A Panel on Migration & Multiculturalism,” hosted by the directors of “Alamanya” and “Little Alien,” immediately following. Festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. with “Winter’s Daughter.”
The Roxie Theatre features Bob Forrest’s award-winning documentary “Bob and the Monster” for SF DocFest 2011 at 9:30 p.m. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with “Scenes of a Crime,” and includes free admission to the Roller Disco Costume Party at 8:00 p.m. at CellSpace with a DocFest ticket stub.
Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011
The New People Cinema Premier Theater showcases “Aurélie LaFlamme’s Diary” at 5:00 p.m. for the final day of the SF Films Society/New York International Children’s Film Festival. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m.
At 6:00 p.m., The Castro Theatre features “Bold Heroes,” the centerpiece film of the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival, with its director available for conversation following the screening. Activities open at 11:00 a.m.
The Roxie Theatre premieres the gamer documentary “Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters” at 12:30 p.m. as part of the ongoing SF DocFest 2011.
Monday, Oct. 24, 2011
The Depot at San Francisco State’s Cesar Chavez Student Center hosts Underground Film Fest, a free, audience-judged student short film contest at 7:00 p.m. Audiences vote for their favorite film each night, with the top three advancing to the grand finale in December. Refreshments may be bought before, during, and after the event.
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011
At 12:30 p.m., the Jack Adams Hall in San Francisco State’s Cesar Chavez Student Center hosts a free screening of the Emmy-nominated “The Longoria Affair,” presented by the Lamda Theta Alpha, Latina Sorority, Inc. Doors open at noon and a Q & A with director John J. Valadez immediately follows the screening.
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011
At 7:00 p.m., the Castro Theater will screen “If Not Us,Who?,” the closing film of the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival, followed by a conversation with its director. The event begin at 2:30 p.m. and culminates with the Closing Night Party at 9:30 p.m. in the Castro Theater Mezzanine. Party tickets are sold both in packages with movie tickets and separately.
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011
DocFest 2011 ends with a documentary on comic book icon Stan Lee titled “With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story” at 7:15 p.m. in the Roxie Theatre. A superhero-themed Closing Night Party at CellSpace follows the screening. Party admission is free with a DocFest ticket stub and includes a costume contest, DJ, and photo booth.
Friday, Oct. 28, 2011
The Castro Theater will play host to Kevin Smith’s Halloween Extravaganza, a Halloween bash hosted by “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” stars Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes. “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” shows at 7:00 p.m. with “Red State” screening at 9:00 p.m. followed by a Q & A session with writer/director Smith. A party and costume contest follow screenings.
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