Barbie director Greta Gerwig, filmmakers Roger Ross Williams and Cord Jefferson and Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage are set to receive honors at the Sffilm Awards Night on Dec. 4 in San Francisco, organizers said on Wednesday.
The event honors achievement in film and its fundraising proceeds support the organization’s mission to “discover, nurture and showcase the next generation of film artists.”
The awards season event at the city’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will see the Oscar-nominated Gerwig receive the Irving M. Levin Award for film direction from Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling and the Nion McEvoy & Leslie Berriman Award for Storytelling go to Stamped from the Beginning director Roger Ross Williams, an honor to be introduced by actor Raúl Castillo.
Barbie, which Gerwig penned with Noah Baumbach and stars Margot Robbie, has been a critical and box office success for Gerwig and is getting awards buzz.
In other Sffilm prize-giving,...
The event honors achievement in film and its fundraising proceeds support the organization’s mission to “discover, nurture and showcase the next generation of film artists.”
The awards season event at the city’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will see the Oscar-nominated Gerwig receive the Irving M. Levin Award for film direction from Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling and the Nion McEvoy & Leslie Berriman Award for Storytelling go to Stamped from the Beginning director Roger Ross Williams, an honor to be introduced by actor Raúl Castillo.
Barbie, which Gerwig penned with Noah Baumbach and stars Margot Robbie, has been a critical and box office success for Gerwig and is getting awards buzz.
In other Sffilm prize-giving,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicolas Cage is getting his long-awaited recognition for being a beacon of cinema over the course of his almost half-century-long career.
The Oscar-winning actor will be recognized with the Maria Manetti Shrem Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting during the 2023 Sffilm Awards, which will take place Monday, December 4 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
The award has been given out to actors such as Glenn Close, Kate Winslet, Robert Duvall, Robin Williams, and Adam Driver. Margot Robbie received the honor in 2022.
Cage appears in this year’s critically acclaimed dark comedy “Dream Scenario.” His classic films range from “Peggy Sue Got Married” to “Moonstruck,” “Face/Off” and “Con Air.” Cage previously has received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in “Leaving Las Vegas,” and later earned a second Academy Award nomination for his performance in “Adaptation.”
Cage additionally...
The Oscar-winning actor will be recognized with the Maria Manetti Shrem Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting during the 2023 Sffilm Awards, which will take place Monday, December 4 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
The award has been given out to actors such as Glenn Close, Kate Winslet, Robert Duvall, Robin Williams, and Adam Driver. Margot Robbie received the honor in 2022.
Cage appears in this year’s critically acclaimed dark comedy “Dream Scenario.” His classic films range from “Peggy Sue Got Married” to “Moonstruck,” “Face/Off” and “Con Air.” Cage previously has received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in “Leaving Las Vegas,” and later earned a second Academy Award nomination for his performance in “Adaptation.”
Cage additionally...
- 11/29/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Gillian Robespierre’s Landline, the story of a Manhattan teenager who discovers her father is having an affair, will open the 60th San Francisco International Film Festival, which is set to run April 5-19 at venues throughout San Francisco and Berkeley, Calif. The film, written by Robespierre and Elisabeth Holm, stars Jenny Slate, Edie Falco, John Turturro, Jay Duplass and newcomer Abie Quinn. Amazon will release Landline on July 21.
The festival’s 2017 award recipients will include Eleanor Coppola, who is set to receive the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award, which will be presented to her after her new...
The festival’s 2017 award recipients will include Eleanor Coppola, who is set to receive the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award, which will be presented to her after her new...
- 3/16/2017
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Read More: Laff Review: Debra Granik's Doc 'Stray Dog' A Sensitive Portrait of Memory, Trauma, and Biker Culture Showcasing 196 feature films and 234 short subjects from 60 countries, the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival offered local and global perspectives on a vast array of topics over its 12 days of programming. The Ciff welcomed 100,204 attendees, including Indiewire's Managing Editor Nigel M. Smith, who served on the Documentary Competition Jury, to its 500+ screenings, which were held in Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland and 11 other neighborhood locations. The winners of the competitions and awards were announced at the Closing Night Ceremony last night, and they include: Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award For Best Film Sponsored by the Callahan Foundation "Becoming Bulletproof," directed by Michael Barnett (USA) $10,000 cash prize George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern European Competition Presented with generous support from The...
- 3/30/2015
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Film-maker to receive Irving M. Levin Directing Award at upcoming edition of festival.
Guillermo del Toro will receive this year’s Irving M. Levin Directing Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
The Mexican film-maker will be presented with the award at the San Francisco Film Society (Sffs) Awards Night on April 27, and will also be honoured at An Evening with Guillermo del Toro on April 25 with an onstage interview and a screening of The Devil’s Backbone.
Noah Cowan, executive director of Sffs, commented: “This award is a tribute to his boundless imagination and to his deep understanding of cinema history. Del Toro is both a great teacher and a boisterous communicator of why movies matter; we are going to have a very fun night with him here indeed.”
Made possible by Irving’s son and current Sffs board member Fred M. Levin and his wife Nancy Livingston, the award was...
Guillermo del Toro will receive this year’s Irving M. Levin Directing Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
The Mexican film-maker will be presented with the award at the San Francisco Film Society (Sffs) Awards Night on April 27, and will also be honoured at An Evening with Guillermo del Toro on April 25 with an onstage interview and a screening of The Devil’s Backbone.
Noah Cowan, executive director of Sffs, commented: “This award is a tribute to his boundless imagination and to his deep understanding of cinema history. Del Toro is both a great teacher and a boisterous communicator of why movies matter; we are going to have a very fun night with him here indeed.”
Made possible by Irving’s son and current Sffs board member Fred M. Levin and his wife Nancy Livingston, the award was...
- 3/19/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Actor will receive the Peter J. Owens Award for excellence in acting at upcoming festival.
Richard Gere will be the recipient of this year’s Peter J. Owens Award for excellence in acting at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
The award will be presented at the Film Society Awards Night on April 27, where the recipients of the Irving M. Levin Directing Award, the Kanbar Award for excellence in storytelling and the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award will also be honoured.
Gere will be publicly honoured at An Evening with Richard Gere on the previous day [April 26] which will include an onstage interview and will be followed by a screening of his latest film, Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind.
San Francisco Film Society executive director Noah Cowan commented: “Richard Gere is one of cinema’s few unmistakable icons, a powerful connection to the heart of Hollywood history. But when we...
Richard Gere will be the recipient of this year’s Peter J. Owens Award for excellence in acting at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
The award will be presented at the Film Society Awards Night on April 27, where the recipients of the Irving M. Levin Directing Award, the Kanbar Award for excellence in storytelling and the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award will also be honoured.
Gere will be publicly honoured at An Evening with Richard Gere on the previous day [April 26] which will include an onstage interview and will be followed by a screening of his latest film, Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind.
San Francisco Film Society executive director Noah Cowan commented: “Richard Gere is one of cinema’s few unmistakable icons, a powerful connection to the heart of Hollywood history. But when we...
- 3/17/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Recognition for Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu continues as the Sundance Institute has announced that it will present him with its Vanguard Leadership Award at the fifth annual Sundance Institute benefit on June 2, 2015 in Los Angeles. The evening brings the creative community together to highlight both a great visionary in independent film as well as an emerging artist with unique talent and creative independence. Iñárritu has also just received 3 Academy Award nominations for his latest film "Birdman" (Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and, since he was also the producer, Best Picture). The film earned a total of 9 nominations.
Gonzalez Iñárritu will be honored for the originality and independent spirit of his films, including "Amores Perros" (2000), "21 Grams" (2003), "Babel" (2006), "Biutiful" (2010) and "Birdman" (2014), all of which have earned Academy Award nominations. He is also the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director and by the Directors Guild of America for Best Director.
He is also the first Mexican-born director to have won the Prix de la mise en scene or best director award at Cannes (2006). "Amores Perros" is featured in the Sundance Collection at UCLA, an independent film preservation program established in 1997.
He has produced three films that appeared at the Sundance Film Festival: "Nine Lives" (2005), "Mother & Child" (2010) and "Rudo y Cursi" (2009).
Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “The current health and vibrancy of independent film is best reflected in the stories from filmmakers who continue to push and break boundaries. Alejandro G. Iñárritu is among the most creative and innovative filmmakers working today, and the boldness, humanity and audacity of his films will inspire generations to come.”
Gonzalez Iñárritu said, “It comes as a great honor to receive this award from an organization whose mission, spirit and objectives are noble and have a profound effect on many filmmakers around the world.”
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu will be the fourth recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award, joining philanthropist and former Institute Trustee George Gund, journalist and film critic Roger Ebert and actress and arts advocate Glenn Close.
In addition to the Vanguard Leadership Award, the Institute presents the Vanguard Award, including a cash grant and mentorship from industry professionals and Institute staff, to an emerging artist with creative independence. Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station"), Damien Chazelle ("Whiplash") are past recipients, and the 2015 recipient will be announced in the spring. The Vanguard Awards were founded in 2011 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program and its founding director, Michelle Satter.
Gonzalez Iñárritu will be honored for the originality and independent spirit of his films, including "Amores Perros" (2000), "21 Grams" (2003), "Babel" (2006), "Biutiful" (2010) and "Birdman" (2014), all of which have earned Academy Award nominations. He is also the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director and by the Directors Guild of America for Best Director.
He is also the first Mexican-born director to have won the Prix de la mise en scene or best director award at Cannes (2006). "Amores Perros" is featured in the Sundance Collection at UCLA, an independent film preservation program established in 1997.
He has produced three films that appeared at the Sundance Film Festival: "Nine Lives" (2005), "Mother & Child" (2010) and "Rudo y Cursi" (2009).
Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “The current health and vibrancy of independent film is best reflected in the stories from filmmakers who continue to push and break boundaries. Alejandro G. Iñárritu is among the most creative and innovative filmmakers working today, and the boldness, humanity and audacity of his films will inspire generations to come.”
Gonzalez Iñárritu said, “It comes as a great honor to receive this award from an organization whose mission, spirit and objectives are noble and have a profound effect on many filmmakers around the world.”
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu will be the fourth recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award, joining philanthropist and former Institute Trustee George Gund, journalist and film critic Roger Ebert and actress and arts advocate Glenn Close.
In addition to the Vanguard Leadership Award, the Institute presents the Vanguard Award, including a cash grant and mentorship from industry professionals and Institute staff, to an emerging artist with creative independence. Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station"), Damien Chazelle ("Whiplash") are past recipients, and the 2015 recipient will be announced in the spring. The Vanguard Awards were founded in 2011 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program and its founding director, Michelle Satter.
- 1/19/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
"Birdman" Oscar contender and DGA-nominated director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu will receive the Vanguard Leadership Award at the fifth annual Sundance Institute benefit on June 2, 2015 in Los Angeles. Iñárritu will be honored for the independent spirit of his films including "Amores Perros" (2000), "21 Grams" (2003), "Babel" (2006), "Biutiful" (2010) and "Birdman" (2014). He is the first Mexican director to have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director (for "Babel") and by the Directors Guild of America for Best Director. He also won the Prix de la mise en scene (best director) at Cannes in 2006. (Our video interview with him is here.) Previous recipients of the Vanguard Leadership Award include philanthropist and former Institute Trustee George Gund, journalist and film critic Roger Ebert and actress and arts advocate Glenn Close. In addition to the...
- 1/14/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
The DGA nominee and director of Birdman will receive the Vanguard Leadership Award at the fifth annual Sundance Institute benefit on June 2 in Los Angeles.
Iñárritu will be honoured for “the originality and independent spirit of his films”, which include Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful and Birdman.
“The current health and vibrancy of independent film is best reflected in the stories from film-makers who continue to push and break boundaries,” said Sundance Institute executive director Keri Putnam.
“Alejandro G Iñárritu is among the most creative and innovative film-makers working today and the boldness, humanity and audacity of his films will inspire generations to come.”
Iñárritu said: “It comes as a great honour to receive this award from an organisation whose mission, spirit and objectives are noble and have a profound effect on many filmmakers around the world.”
The La-based Mexican film-maker will be the fourth recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award after philanthropist and former Institute Trustee...
Iñárritu will be honoured for “the originality and independent spirit of his films”, which include Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful and Birdman.
“The current health and vibrancy of independent film is best reflected in the stories from film-makers who continue to push and break boundaries,” said Sundance Institute executive director Keri Putnam.
“Alejandro G Iñárritu is among the most creative and innovative film-makers working today and the boldness, humanity and audacity of his films will inspire generations to come.”
Iñárritu said: “It comes as a great honour to receive this award from an organisation whose mission, spirit and objectives are noble and have a profound effect on many filmmakers around the world.”
The La-based Mexican film-maker will be the fourth recipient of the Vanguard Leadership Award after philanthropist and former Institute Trustee...
- 1/14/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The San Francisco International Film Festival, the nation's oldest film festival, is flexing its funding muscles. For its 57th edition, which begins tonight, the Sff is harvesting what its new executive director Noah Cowan calls a bumper crop of seven films made with funds from the San Francisco Film Society, which operates an ambitiously discerning but little-known film-funding program -- surprisingly unknown, in fact, to cash-sniffing filmmakers. Noah Cowan, 46, a veteran of the Toronto International Film Festival, and more recently the Bell Lightbox, talks as if the institution has put recent crises behind it – deaths of two of its directors (Graham Leggat and Bingham Ray), and the passing last year of the dedicated and much-loved philanthropist George Gund -- "a rock," said the critic and San Francisco resident David Thomson, who will receive the festival’s Mel Novikoff Award. (Novikoff, an art and repertory exhibitor in San Francisco, was also the record executive who.
- 4/24/2014
- by David D'Arcy
- Indiewire
Jeremy Irons will be the recipient of the Peter J. Owens Award for excellence in acting at the upcoming 57th San Francisco International Film Festival, kicking off this week and running April 24 through May 8. The award will be presented on May 1. The Sf Film Society and its year-round programming will be the beneficiary of the star-studded fundraiser honoring Oscar winner Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”), who will be filling the shoes of Bruce Wayne's trusty butler Alfred in the upcoming "Batman vs. Superman" mashup from Zack Snyder.Meanwhile, Richard Linkater is the recipient of the Founder’s Directing Award; Stephen Gaghan the recipient of the Kanbar Screenwriting Award; and John Lasseter the recipient of the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award. Previous recipients over the past decade of the Owens Award are Harrison Ford (2013), Judy Davis (2012), Terence Stamp (2011), Robert Duvall (2010), Robert Redford (2009), Maria Bello (2008), Robin Williams (2007), Ed Harris...
- 4/22/2014
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Celebrating record breaking crowds, the Cleveland International Film Festival welcomed 97,804 attendees to its 475+ screenings this year. Showcasing, 186 feature films and 168 shorts from 68 countries, the festival announced the winners of the competitions and awards at Sunday's Closing Night ceremony. They are all listed below: Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award For Best Film: "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine" Directed by Michele Josue $5,000 cash prize George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern Competition: "Life Feels Good" Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca (Poland) $10,000 cash prize Nesnadny + Schwartz Documentary Competition: "The Sarnos: A Life in Dirty Movies" Directed by Wiktor Ericsson $7,500 cash prize Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition: "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine" Directed by Michele Josue $5,000 cash prize American Independents Competition: "A Birder's Guide to Everything" Directed by Rob Meyer $5,000 cash prize Local Heroes...
- 4/2/2014
- by Emerson Gordon
- Indiewire
Gia Coppola’s directorial debut based on James Franco’s collection of short stories has been named the centerpiece screening at the upcoming 57th San Francisco International Film Festival.
Pixar’s John Lasseter will receive the George Gund III Craft Of Cinema Award, while Stephen Gaghan will collect the Kanbar screenwriting award and film historian David Thomson receives the Mel Novikoff Award.
Festival top brass have unveiled the line-up of 168 films. As previously announced, The Two Faces Of January (pictured) and Alex Of Venice bookend the event.
The festival runs from April 24–May 8. For full details of the programme click here.
Pixar’s John Lasseter will receive the George Gund III Craft Of Cinema Award, while Stephen Gaghan will collect the Kanbar screenwriting award and film historian David Thomson receives the Mel Novikoff Award.
Festival top brass have unveiled the line-up of 168 films. As previously announced, The Two Faces Of January (pictured) and Alex Of Venice bookend the event.
The festival runs from April 24–May 8. For full details of the programme click here.
- 4/2/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The 57th San Francisco International Film Festival has revealed its lineup for the 2014 fest, set to kick off April 24 and run through May 8. Along with unveiling its various premieres, the festival will be handing out a few key awards. The 2014 George Gund Craft of Cinema Award will go to Pixar chief John Lasseter on May 1; the Mel Novikoff Award will go to film historian David Thomson on May 4; and the Founders Directing Award will go to Richard Linklater ("Boyhood"). Gia Coppola's "Palo Alto," which arrives in theaters May 9, is the fest's centerpiece gala. At a glance, this year's edition of the fest will host 168 films (74 of which are narrative features, 29 documentaries and 65 shorts), with 56 countries represented and 40 different languages; 3 World Premieres, 5 North American Premieres and 5 U.S. Premieres; with 200 filmmakers and industry guests expected to attend. The full schedule is available on Sfiff's website. List of...
- 4/1/2014
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Ted Hope has landed a peach of a job with the San Francisco Film Society. Here is his much distributed news on the Sundance track record of Sffs!
Sundance Proves A Filmmaking Renaissance Is Happening In The Bay Area
Written by Ted Hope
What would Variety, Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, The Wrap, MovieCityNews, Filmmaker Magazine & Deadline report if a single film company took the following awards at Sundance this year?
Narrative Grand Jury Prize Audience Award For Narrative Film Best Directing of a Narrative Film Best Directing of a Documentary Film Special Jury Award For Documentary Film #1 Special Jury Award For Documentary Film #2
I can’t help but think they would announce the arrival of a powerhouse.
Well, allow me the pleasure of breaking such an announcement. In case you missed it: a filmmaking renaissance is happening in The Bay Area. All of the following films that premiered at Sundance and won an award there had a major Bay Area connection: Fruitvale, Afternoon Delight, Cutie and the Boxer, Inequality For All, and American Promise.
I don’t know when was the last time a film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance as Fruitvale did this year. Not only is director Ryan Coogler from Oakland, not only was the story and subject from The Bay Area, not only was the film shot in The Bay Area, and not only was it mixed at Skywalker, but the San Francisco Film Society & The Kenneth Rainin Foundation granted the film $200,000.
If that wasn’t enough to crow about, allow me the thrill of mentioning that this is the second year in a row that a film supported by the San Francisco Film Society & The Kenneth Rainin Foundation won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Yup, Beasts Of The Southern Wild received similar support last year as Fruitvale did this year. Do we need non-profit support in order to make ambitious socially relevant cinema in America? It sure damn looks that way, and if it is not necessary, it sure helps! A market-driven entertainment economy encourages one thing; if we want diversity we must support our cultural institutions (and build new ones!).
But allow me to go on with the glory that this year’s Sundance has bestowed upon the cities by The Bay… I don’t know when the last time a producer had both a documentary film and a narrative film in each of the Sundance competition. I definitely don’t think a producer who managed that feat ever won awards for both films (okay, I once had a film in each section, but only one of them one an award). Winning an award for each of their films is exactly what 72 Productions accomplished with Afternoon Delight‘s Best Directing of a narrative film award (directed by Jill Soloway) and Inequality For All‘s U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award (directed by Jacob Kornbluth). And did you know that 72 Productions‘ Jen Chaiken sits on the San Francisco Film Society’s Board of Directors? And that the Sffs was Inequality For All‘s fiscal sponsor? Surely you know that I4A’s incredibly inspiring subject, Robert Reich, teaches and lives in Berkeley, and yup, that is in The Bay Area. I imagine your collective head is now reeling in wonder about what is happening here; I know I am impressed, verily.
Yes, it’s true that the Directing Award at Sundance is one of the great honors. Yes, the aforementioned Afternoon Delight won that award for Narrative, and Cutie and the Boxer, directed by Zachary Heinzerling, won for Documentary. The San Francisco Film Society’s Doc Film Fund gave Cutie and the Boxer‘s $50,000… That ain’t chicken feed. And that’s a Bay Area connection for both sections’ Directing Award. It must be something in the water!
But The Bay Area’s dominance continues on from there. It kind of takes your breathe away, doesn’t it? The other winner of a Special Jury Prize For Documentary Film, Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s American Promise, also received funding from The San Francisco Film Society. How great is it to give money away to films that lift our culture up? I suppose you don’t know that feeling until you’ve done it, but know what? You too can do it and I will tell you how below…
Yup. Five films. Count ‘em and tells what it all adds up to…
That is five films, six awards, at Sundance 2013 with Bay Area connections. Pretty awesome. In addition to all of that, the Bay Area was represented by other filmmakers at Sundance too; Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman were there with Two films, one narrative, one doc: Lovelace and The Battle For AmFar. The list goes on and on and on.
That is not a rumbling you are feeling underground, that is the roar of a community’s heart beating as one, and quite rapidly at that mind you. You don’t just have to be from Poland to have that flutter (if you watched the Awards, you will understand the reference).
I think it is now abundantly clear that if you love independent film, if you want diverse, ambitious film to prosper, you have to act now. You must not delay. You can either pack your bags and get the hell out of town and arrive in Fog City or one of it’s many surrounding communities, or you can show your love for such cinema by helping to support the San Francisco Film Society. Either one will do. Just take some action. The momentum will carry you forward.
I am investing my time, labor, & mind to help building a better infrastructure for such cinema through the Sffs. But it takes more. Money almost always helps. Please consider doing what you can to keep this exciting time alive. Join Sffs & become a member. Support Sffs here. It takes more than a village if we are going to build it better. We can only do it together.
The San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest running film festival in the Americas. I hope to see you there this year (April 25- May 9th); we have some great stuff planned for you. The San Francisco Film Society was founded 56 years ago. It was built by the passion and commitment of several key individuals. We lost one of those individuals just as the Sundance Film Festival began this year. George Gund’s love and knowledge of cinema was as legendary as his great spirit and generosity. I can not help but think of how wide his grin would be now in knowing the legacy his support has helped build. Thank you, George.
Sundance Proves A Filmmaking Renaissance Is Happening In The Bay Area
Written by Ted Hope
What would Variety, Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, The Wrap, MovieCityNews, Filmmaker Magazine & Deadline report if a single film company took the following awards at Sundance this year?
Narrative Grand Jury Prize Audience Award For Narrative Film Best Directing of a Narrative Film Best Directing of a Documentary Film Special Jury Award For Documentary Film #1 Special Jury Award For Documentary Film #2
I can’t help but think they would announce the arrival of a powerhouse.
Well, allow me the pleasure of breaking such an announcement. In case you missed it: a filmmaking renaissance is happening in The Bay Area. All of the following films that premiered at Sundance and won an award there had a major Bay Area connection: Fruitvale, Afternoon Delight, Cutie and the Boxer, Inequality For All, and American Promise.
I don’t know when was the last time a film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance as Fruitvale did this year. Not only is director Ryan Coogler from Oakland, not only was the story and subject from The Bay Area, not only was the film shot in The Bay Area, and not only was it mixed at Skywalker, but the San Francisco Film Society & The Kenneth Rainin Foundation granted the film $200,000.
If that wasn’t enough to crow about, allow me the thrill of mentioning that this is the second year in a row that a film supported by the San Francisco Film Society & The Kenneth Rainin Foundation won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Yup, Beasts Of The Southern Wild received similar support last year as Fruitvale did this year. Do we need non-profit support in order to make ambitious socially relevant cinema in America? It sure damn looks that way, and if it is not necessary, it sure helps! A market-driven entertainment economy encourages one thing; if we want diversity we must support our cultural institutions (and build new ones!).
But allow me to go on with the glory that this year’s Sundance has bestowed upon the cities by The Bay… I don’t know when the last time a producer had both a documentary film and a narrative film in each of the Sundance competition. I definitely don’t think a producer who managed that feat ever won awards for both films (okay, I once had a film in each section, but only one of them one an award). Winning an award for each of their films is exactly what 72 Productions accomplished with Afternoon Delight‘s Best Directing of a narrative film award (directed by Jill Soloway) and Inequality For All‘s U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award (directed by Jacob Kornbluth). And did you know that 72 Productions‘ Jen Chaiken sits on the San Francisco Film Society’s Board of Directors? And that the Sffs was Inequality For All‘s fiscal sponsor? Surely you know that I4A’s incredibly inspiring subject, Robert Reich, teaches and lives in Berkeley, and yup, that is in The Bay Area. I imagine your collective head is now reeling in wonder about what is happening here; I know I am impressed, verily.
Yes, it’s true that the Directing Award at Sundance is one of the great honors. Yes, the aforementioned Afternoon Delight won that award for Narrative, and Cutie and the Boxer, directed by Zachary Heinzerling, won for Documentary. The San Francisco Film Society’s Doc Film Fund gave Cutie and the Boxer‘s $50,000… That ain’t chicken feed. And that’s a Bay Area connection for both sections’ Directing Award. It must be something in the water!
But The Bay Area’s dominance continues on from there. It kind of takes your breathe away, doesn’t it? The other winner of a Special Jury Prize For Documentary Film, Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s American Promise, also received funding from The San Francisco Film Society. How great is it to give money away to films that lift our culture up? I suppose you don’t know that feeling until you’ve done it, but know what? You too can do it and I will tell you how below…
Yup. Five films. Count ‘em and tells what it all adds up to…
That is five films, six awards, at Sundance 2013 with Bay Area connections. Pretty awesome. In addition to all of that, the Bay Area was represented by other filmmakers at Sundance too; Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman were there with Two films, one narrative, one doc: Lovelace and The Battle For AmFar. The list goes on and on and on.
That is not a rumbling you are feeling underground, that is the roar of a community’s heart beating as one, and quite rapidly at that mind you. You don’t just have to be from Poland to have that flutter (if you watched the Awards, you will understand the reference).
I think it is now abundantly clear that if you love independent film, if you want diverse, ambitious film to prosper, you have to act now. You must not delay. You can either pack your bags and get the hell out of town and arrive in Fog City or one of it’s many surrounding communities, or you can show your love for such cinema by helping to support the San Francisco Film Society. Either one will do. Just take some action. The momentum will carry you forward.
I am investing my time, labor, & mind to help building a better infrastructure for such cinema through the Sffs. But it takes more. Money almost always helps. Please consider doing what you can to keep this exciting time alive. Join Sffs & become a member. Support Sffs here. It takes more than a village if we are going to build it better. We can only do it together.
The San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest running film festival in the Americas. I hope to see you there this year (April 25- May 9th); we have some great stuff planned for you. The San Francisco Film Society was founded 56 years ago. It was built by the passion and commitment of several key individuals. We lost one of those individuals just as the Sundance Film Festival began this year. George Gund’s love and knowledge of cinema was as legendary as his great spirit and generosity. I can not help but think of how wide his grin would be now in knowing the legacy his support has helped build. Thank you, George.
- 2/11/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The indie film world is mourning the loss of George Gund, and so am I. This modest, magnificent man often pretended to not hear or not see, yet he absorbed and adopted the interests and needs of thousands whose worlds he crossed. George Gund’s support for the Sundance Institute, San Francisco Film Society, Pacific Film Society, and Cleveland Film Society is well known and documented, and it was heart-warming to see Robert Redford show up to honor his friend at Gund’s recent memorial. But what is less known, remembered by only a few of us, is that George played a …...
- 1/27/2013
- by Sandra Schulberg
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
San Francisco, CA -- Roger Ebert will receive the Mel Novikoff Award at the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22 - May 6). The award, named for the pioneering San Francisco art and repertory film exhibitor Mel Novikoff (1922-87), acknowledges an individual or institution whose work has enhanced the filmgoing public's knowledge and appreciation of world cinema. The Novikoff Award will be presented at An Evening with Roger Ebert and Friends, Saturday, May 1 at 5:30 pm at the Castro Theatre. Confirmed guests to date include directors Jason Reitman and Terry Zwigoff, with others to be announced soon.
The program will close with a screening of Julia, touted by Ebert as one of the finest films released in 2009. Erick Zonca's character-driven thriller, starring the fearless Tilda Swinton, barrels straight into the sleazy wasteland of an abrasive alcoholic kidnapper who is in way over her head.
"It's an honor to pay...
The program will close with a screening of Julia, touted by Ebert as one of the finest films released in 2009. Erick Zonca's character-driven thriller, starring the fearless Tilda Swinton, barrels straight into the sleazy wasteland of an abrasive alcoholic kidnapper who is in way over her head.
"It's an honor to pay...
- 3/30/2010
- Makingof.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.