San Francisco International Film Festival

SFFILM champions the world's finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. Held each spring and highly anticipated by its loyal and passionate audiences, the Festival is refreshingly intimate for a festival of its size and scope, and traditionally combines a range of marquee premieres, international competitions, compelling documentaries, live music performances, and star-studded red carpet events. SFFILM is currently moving forward with planning its Festival for April 2022 with both in-person and online events, parties, talks and more. Exact dates, venue footprint, and in-person event structure are all subject to some change based on the realities of producing a safe and accessible film festival at that time. 🎥 Opportunities for Filmmakers SFFILM's year-round Artist Development programs provide significant financial and creative resources to independent narrative and documentary filmmakers from around the world through grants, fellowships, residencies and more. Since 2009, over $8 million has been awarded to more than 250 film projects in various stages of production. Festival filmmakers are invited to a series of industry talks and pitch sessions, and can meet with the SFFILM Makers team to discuss future projects and funding opportunities. Since 1991, SFFILM Education’s Schools at the Festival program has provided the Bay Area educational community with the opportunity to experience stories from around the world. Schools at the Festival annually introduces thousands of students ages 6–18 and their teachers to international film and the art of filmmaking while promoting media literacy, deepening insights into other cultures, enhancing foreign language aptitude, developing critical thinking skills, and inspiring a lifelong appreciation of cinema. Festival filmmakers can participate via student screenings, school visits, hands-on workshops, and more. "Few festivals are more suited to their city than the SFFILM Festival. It’s clearly a festival programmed by those who love film for people who love film.” — Variety