Mar 27, 2012
Festival
The 55th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 19-May 3) is proud to announce its Live & Onstage lineup. Special Festival guests entertain and enlighten in programs that unite film, music and performance in innovative ways, offering new and seasoned festivalgoers an unforgettable live experience.
“This year’s Live & Onstage program features a variety of programs that will never be repeated in exactly the same way,” said Rachel Rosen, director of programming at the San Francisco Film Society. “The energy and unpredictability of the live component make these events some of the most popular and rewarding of the Festival.”
State of Cinema Address: Jonathan Lethem
Saturday, April 21, 2:00pm, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
Bestselling novelist, essayist and short-story writer Jonathan Lethem muses on the “ecstasies of influence” constituting the cinematic experience. Lethem will explore the ways cultural movements, new-media revolutions and loosely defined grassroots art movements can in their various ways unearth utopian possibilities for reciprocal transformations in film culture and our daily lives.
Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs) with Buster Keaton Shorts
Monday, April 23, 8:00pm Castro Theatre
In a live performance, backed by local guitar hero Ava Mendoza, Merrill Garbus of the acclaimed Oakland band tUnE-yArDs accompany short films starring Buster Keaton. Both Garbus and Keaton use basic ingredients in absurd and incredibly nuanced ways. For this very special live engagement, Garbus and Mendoza will be joined by the entire tUnE-yArDs crew. Prepare for a cacophonous riot.
David OReilly Says Something
Thursday, April 26, 6:45pm, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
Often drawing comparisons to Don Hertzfeldt and Bill Plympton for his resolutely independent style and dark humor, David OReilly is one of today’s most innovative and engaging animators. With kinetic short films like The External World (2011) and the Golden Bear-winning odyssey Please Say Something, OReilly has deservedly earned a cult following. This live event features a discussion with OReilly about his process, an array of short works and a look at some of his other creative projects, including social media experiments and a feature-length film.
Porchlight
Monday, April 30, 9:15pm Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
Hosted by local luminaries Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick, San Francisco’s beloved nonfiction storytelling series returns to the Festival for a special night of film industry-themed stories. This year’s lineup of participants includes Tom Barbash, Mario de la Vega, Lorelei Lee (cowriter of SFIFF 2012 dramatic feature Cherry) and the duo of Donal Mosher and Michael Palmieri (codirectors of SFIFF 2012 documentary Off Label). This is a unique chance to hear some of the most creative figures in independent media tell real-life tales about their community and craft. Check festival.sffs.org for updates on additional confirmed participants.
The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller
Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm, Phyllis Wattis Theater, SFMOMA
Academy Award nominated documentarian Sam Green (The Weather Underground) returns to SFIFF with the world premiere of a new work about utopian visionary R. Buckminster Fuller and his radical design proposals for the Bay Area. The program includes live narration by Green and a score performed live by indie legends Yo La Tengo.
For tickets and information visit festival.sffs.org.
To request interviews, contact your SFFS publicist.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.
Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs) with Buster Keaton Shorts is sponsored by Esurance.
55th San Francisco International Film Festival
The 55th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 19-May 3 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, the Castro Theatre, SF Film Society Cinema and SFMOMA in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. Held each spring for 15 days, the International is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities, featuring 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards and $70,000 in cash prizes, upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests and diverse and engaged audiences with more than 70,000 people in attendance.