Welcome to SFFILM Doc Stories, our annual celebration of the extraordinary possibilities of documentary filmmaking. Over four days, you’ll encounter stories of courage, fortitude, and transformation that serve as a rallying cry for our community.
The program brings notable filmmakers to SFFILM in-person, including Ava DuVernay, Laura Poitras, Luke Lorentzen, and Sam Pollard, alongside emerging artists such as Erik Shirai, and J.M. Harper. We’re thrilled to welcome these creatives to our hometown for screenings and conversations throughout the weekend.
Doc Stories reminds us that history should be assiduously excavated while encouraging us to furiously imagine a better future together. Whatever your adventure is during the festival, I hope it’s a stimulating one.
I’ll see you at the movies. —Jessie Fairbanks, SFFILM Director of Programming
Live Events
Shorts Block: NYT Op-Docs
FRI, NOV 6, 2026 5:30 PM
Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been
Directed by Barry Avrich | Canada | 118 min
FRI, NOV 6, 2026 8:30 PM
Shorts Block: Sensory Experience
SAT, NOV 7, 2026 11:00 AM
Teen Workshop: Creating Untold Stories with Ben Proudfoot
SAT, NOV 7, 2026 1:00 PM
Doc Talks: Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller
SAT, NOV 7, 2026 1:30 PM
Doc Talks: Jeanie Finlay, Luke Lorentzen and Erik Shirai
SAT, NOV 7, 2026 3:30 PM
All Rivers Spill Their Stories to the Sea
Directed by Jeanie Finlay | UK | 99 min
SAT, NOV 7, 2026 5:00 PM
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Katie Hall + Tom Knutsen
SIGNATURE SPONSORS
SUPPORTING/LEAD SPONSORS
Wendy Vanden Heuvel
Westridge Foundation
Sarah Schoellkopf
Barbara Tomber + Howard Roffman
MEDIA SPONSORS
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Support for SFFILM’s year-round programming is made possible by our Board of Directors, whose leadership and generosity empower artists, audiences, and the future of independent film.
