May 2, 2012
Festival
The 55th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 19-May 3) will close with Ramona Diaz’s (Spirits Rising, SFIFF 1996) Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey (USA 2012), Thursday, May 3, 7:00 pm, at San Francisco’s landmark movie palace the Castro Theatre. Diaz follows the iconic, quintessentially American rock band Journey and new lead vocalist Arnel Pineda on their 2008 Revelation tour of the U.S. and Pineda’s homecoming in Manila. Diaz and Journey will all attend the screening at the Castro Theatre. The 55th International will have its final celebration following the screening at the Closing Night Party, 9:30 pm at Sloane Square[d].
Born into desperate poverty in Manila, Arnel Pineda never stopped believing in something better, singing Journey songs for years with cover band Zoo and posting their performances on YouTube. That’s where the band-the original Journey-found him and made him their new lead singer. Now they’ll all discover if this remarkable story is too good to be true as they embark on a major tour. With Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo, Amel Pineda, Neal Schon, Ross Valory. Photography by Julia Dengel, Vincente Franco. 117 min.
“What better way to end the San Francisco International Film Festival than with this inspiring story of the unanticipated internationalization of a legendary Bay Area band,” said Rachel Rosen. “We’re so pleased to be closing with Ramona Diaz’s wonderfully candid, intimate and rousing new film.”
At 9:30 pm the Closing Night party kicks off at Sloane Square[d], 1525 Mission Street. Partygoers who love to groove can party all night, any way they want it, with plentiful festive drinks, delicious appetizers and desserts and dj’ed music.
Tickets Closing Night film and party $60 for SFFS members and $75 for the general public; film only is $30; VIP tickets $150; Box office opens March 27 for members, March 30 for general public, online at sffs.org and in person at SF Film Society Cinema (1746 Post Street, Webster/Buchanan). Festival Premier Package on sale March 27, visit festival.sffs.org for details
SFIFF55 Closing Night is sponsored by Wells Fargo and the San Francisco Giants.
For tickets and information visit festival.sffs.org.
To request interviews or screeners contact your SFIFF publicist.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.
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.