2023 SFFILM Festival
Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. The 66th edition ran April 13–23, 2023. The 11 day event featured a range of marquee premieres, international competitions, compelling documentaries, short and mid-length programs, and a special trip to the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland for our Opening Night. The SFFILM Festival is deeply rooted in the culture and process of film appreciation—film as an art form and as a meaningful catalyst for social change—and is an important showcase for the most searching and innovative films from around the globe. Mark your calendars now for the 2024 SFFILM Festival! The 67th San Francisco International Film Festival will run April 25–May 5, 2024 in venues around the Bay Area.
Browse the Program
Explore the past festival program to discover the unforgettable films insightful Q&As that were part of the 66th edition.
Browse by Section + Spotlight →
PDF of the Festival Guide →
Special Events →
Relive the Experience
Find your spot. The 2023 SFFILM Festival had plenty to offer for everyone.
About the Festival →
Schools at the Festival →
SFFILM-Supported Programs →
Awards
Celebrate the award-winning titles and their incredible achievements!
2023 Golden Gate Award Winners →
Jurors and Screeners →
Films in Competition →
Photo Gallery
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Miri Navasky, Joan Baez, and Karen O’Connor
Miri Navasky, Joan Baez, and Karen O’Connor
Miri Navasky, Joan Baez, and Karen O’Connor
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Celine Song and Greta Lee at the centerpiece screening of Past Lives
Celine Song and Greta Lee at the centerpiece screening of Past Lives
Celine Song and Greta Lee at the centerpiece screening of Past Lives
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
2023 Festival Lounge
2023 Festival Lounge
2023 Festival Lounge presented by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds
Filmmakers Estefanía "Beba" Contreras and Silvia Del Carmen Castaños at their screening of Hummingbirds
Photo by Tommy Lau
Photo by Tommy Lau
Photo by Tommy Lau
BlackBerry director Matthew Johnson
BlackBerry director Matthew Johnson
BlackBerry director Matthew Johnson receives the SFFILM Sloan Science on Screen Prize.
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Firelight Media Co-Founders Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith
Firelight Media Co-Founders Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith
Firelight Media Co-Founders Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith accept SFFILM's Mel Novikoff Award
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Maya E. Rudolph and Allison O’Daniel - The Tuba Thieves
Maya E. Rudolph and Allison O’Daniel - The Tuba Thieves
Maya E. Rudolph and Allison O’Daniel hold balloons as part of a sensory experience for all audiences at The Tuba Thieves.
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Stephen Curry: Underrated
Stephen Curry: Underrated
Stephen Curry: Underrated opened this year’s festival at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Photo by Pamela Gentile
Earth Mama
Earth Mama
Savannah Leaf’s Earth Mama had its Californian premiere at this year’s festival.
