SFFILM

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Meet the 2024 SFFILM Documentary Film Fund Finalists

Supporting feature filmmakers since 2009

Since its launch in 2011, the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund (DFF) has supported feature-length documentaries in post-production that are distinguished by compelling stories, intriguing characters, and an innovative visual approach. DFF has distributed nearly $1 million to advance new work by filmmakers worldwide, many of whom go on to premiere at festivals like Sundance, our own San Francisco International Film Festival, Tribeca and more, as well as collect dozens of nominations and awards including the Oscars.

Previous DFF winners include Sarvnik Kaur’s Against the Tide, winner of the Sundance 2023 Vérité Filmmaking Prize; ​​Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborne’s Going Varsity in Mariachi, winner of the Sundance 2023 Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award; Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s Writing With Fire, which won Audience and Special Jury Awards at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival; Ljubo Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s Honeyland, which won a record number of juried awards at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for Academy Awards for both Best Documentary Feature and Best Foreign Language Film; RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, which won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2018 and was nominated for the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and many others.

The 2024 Documentary Film Fund is made possible thanks to support from Jennifer Hymes Battat and the Jenerosity Foundation along with Katie Hall and Tom Knutsen.

Meet the 2024 Documentary Film Fund Finalists

TheyDream

William D. Caballero Director/Producer
After an unexpected death in the family, a Puerto Rican-American filmmaker/animator teams up with his grieving mother to tell their stories of familial love and loss.

Jenin & the Nakba Between Us

Serene Husni, Director; Rula Nasser, Producer; Marc Serpa Francoeur, Producer
A diasporic Palestinian filmmaker struggles to make a contemporary portrait of Jenin, the city her parents fled following the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank, when her footage takes on radically new meaning in the wake of October 7th.

Shifted Landscapes

Jamie Meltzer, Director; Annie Marr, Producer
“Shifted Landscapes” examines the pervasive effects of the climate crisis on the environmental, cultural and psychological landscapes of California. Weaving together a series of observational vignettes, the film visually articulates a larger system of climate change within the state.

To Use a Mountain

Casey Carter, Director; Colleen Cassingham, Producer; Jonna McKone, Producer
Physics, geology, and democracy collide across the expansive American interior, in a series of vignettes from six candidate sites for a sacrificial nuclear dumping ground.

Issa’s House

Tomer Heymann, Director/Producer; Leigh Heiman, Producer; Estelle Fialon, Producer; Ahmad Amro, Producer; Ido Mizrahy, Producer
Issa Amro and his group of non-violent activists have dedicated their lives to protecting a Palestinian-owned home in Hebron. Filmmaker Tomer Heymann set out to give voice to their stories nearly 2 years ago and continues to chronicle their struggle after October 7th— bearing witness to their seemingly insurmountable goal of peace and equal rights, now more crucial than ever.

Somebody’s Gone

Cyrus Moussavi, Director; Hubert Taylor, Director; Brittany Nugent, Producer
Brother Theotis Taylor harvested turpentine, preached sermons, and sang spirituals in a sublime falsetto that made him the pride of South Georgia. Driven by a divine vision, his son, Hubert, filmed it all. Forty years later, Somebody’s Gone completes the story of a great artist through the archive of his prodigal son.

Coach Emily (working title)

Pallavi Somusetty, Director; Debra Wilson Cary, Producer; Jen Gilomen, Producer; Pallavi Somusetty, Producer
Emily Taylor, an Oakland-based queer Black climbing coach, trains a group of BIPOC kids to conquer the pervasive discrimination they face in the great outdoors. As they claim their place in nature, Emily embarks on a profound journey of self-care, while working to dismantle an industry rife with systemic racism.

Curse of the Mutant Heirloom

Debra Schaffner, Director; Julie Wyman, Producer
A daughter excavates decades of estrangement from her Holocaust-survivor mother, fueled by a less visible predator: the BRCA gene mutation. Robots and aliens join their human counterparts in this hybrid-documentary about family, forgiveness, and female body parts.

Barbara Forever

Brydie O’Connor, Director; Elijah Stevens, Producer
A time-bending, archival-driven examination of the iconic life, work, & legacy of Barbara Hammer reveals this pioneering lesbian experimental filmmaker’s unconventional attempts to live on forever.

The Last Nomads

Biljana Tutorov, Director; Petar Glomazić, Director; Biljana Tutorov, Producer; Quentin Laurent, Co-producer; Rok Biček, Co-producer
In the pristine mountains of Montenegro, a semi-nomadic mother and daughter defend their herding tradition and their land from becoming a NATO military training ground. A gripping family and environmental drama unfolds, as the story of violence against women echoes that of violence against nature.

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Programming Department Intern Opportunity

We are no longer accepting applications for this role.

Summary

SFFILM’s Programming department is seeking a motivated intern with an interest in curation and film / media to support our fall programs and ongoing screening for the 2025 SFFILM Festival. Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. The Festival is deeply rooted in the culture and process of film appreciation—film as an art form and as a meaningful agent for social change—and is an important showcase for the most searching and innovative films from around the globe.

The Programming Intern reports to the Associate Director of Programming and will provide assistance in the SFFILM offices and onsite at exhibition programs as needed. The Intern will have the opportunity to support SFFILM’s Fall exhibition, including Doc Stories (October 17-20) and Awards Night (December 9). The key undertaking will be screening and evaluating films for the 2025 SFFILM Festival, which takes place in the Spring (April 17-27, 2025). The internship is based in-person in the Bay Area and is unpaid.
The opportunity is based in the Bay Area, requires 8-16 hours per week (1-2 days in-office – availability to work out of the SFFILM SOMA offices Tuesdays and/or Thursdays is essential), and runs from September through December 13, 2024

Application Review will begin September 4th

Opportunities and Outcomes:

  • Provide event support for SFFILM exhibition programs in Fall 2024.
  • Research upcoming films in post-production phase.
  • Screen (review) shorts and features that come through our Call for Entries for the 2025 SFFILM Festival.

Qualifications:

  • Passion for film/ media education, film festivals, and film organizations.
  • Interest in the art and craft of cinema.
  • Good research skills.
  • Reliable transportation and ability to travel to the SFFILM office and exhibition venues.
  • Availability for scheduled weekday hours in the SFFILM office and some evenings for events.
  • Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
  • Must be able to express yourself clearly, thoroughly and mindfully.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced working environment.
  • Excellent computer skills. Proficiency with Filemaker Pro would be a plus.

Benefits:

  • SFFILM is an internationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.
  • Great introduction and experience in film / media education and film festival in addition to exposure to aspects of outreach and event management.
  • Excellent opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a world class film organization and create personal connections.
  • Complimentary 1-year SFFILM membership.
  • Interns are able, and encouraged, to attend SFFILM preview screenings and events.
  • Class credit (if applicable).
  • Resume and network builder.

Development Department Intern Opportunity

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Development Systems and Capacity Building

Summary

SFFILM’s Development Department is seeking a motivated intern with a passion for nonprofit capacity building and film/media. This internship offers the chance to play a vital role in strengthening our fundraising systems, leading to greater long-term sustainability for the organization.

As a Development Intern, you’ll report directly to the Development Director, assisting in the creation of essential documents like operating plans, individual prospect strategies, and research materials that will expand the department’s capacity in 2024 and beyond. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to reports and analyses of current operations, support the creation of templates for fundraising efforts, and prepare for the 2024 Doc Stories Festival, October 17-21, and SFFILM’s largest annual fundraiser, Awards Night, on December 9th.

This internship provides valuable exposure to nonprofit management, operational planning, and the film/media industry. The opportunity is based in the Bay Area, requires 8-10 hours per week (availability to work out of the SFFILM SOMA offices Tuesdays and/or Thursdays is essential), and runs from September through December 13, 2024 2024, with potential extension.
Application Review will begin September 4th

Opportunities and Outcomes:

  • Volunteer Support & Management: Assist in organizing and managing fundraising volunteers, contributing to assignments, training materials, and tracking prospect interactions.
  • Development Operations and Planning: Gain hands-on experience in all aspects of annual and long-term fundraising, including campaign reports, targeted prospect lists, and Film Festival fundraising proposals.
  • Cultivation and Stewardship: Help design and create a donor-centric funding model, supporting the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of individual donors with template documents that make them feel valued by SFFILM.

Qualifications:

  • Energetic, detail-oriented team player with strong organizational and writing skills.
  • Ability to multitask, follow through on tasks, and work under deadlines.
  • Comfort interacting with a diverse range of people, including patrons, filmmakers, sponsors, and event staff.
  • Familiarity with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
  • Interest in public policy, nonprofit management, or related fields.
  • Commitment of 8 hours per week (generally two days a week).

Benefits:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of event production and nonprofit management.
  • Build a resume and network within the film industry.
  • Enjoy a complimentary 1-year SFFILM membership, with access to screenings and events.
  • Receive class credit (if applicable) and valuable work samples.
  • Unpaid, but with excellent film perks!

Join SFFILM this Fall and make a meaningful impact while gaining invaluable experience in the world of film and nonprofit development.

Seasonal Special Events Manager

We are no longer accepting applications for this role.

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Special Events Manager leads the production, project management, and execution of all parties and receptions during SFFILM’s fall season, with a focus on Doc Stories, including the execution of a daily hospitality lounge. They will also play a key supportive role in the production of our Awards Night fundraising gala. This role will work closely with the Programming and Development departments on the goals and execution of events such as the Doc Stories 10th Anniversary Party, Doc Stories Brunch, and other parties and receptions during the fall season, and will also work closely with the Development and Communications teams on sponsorship procurement, fulfillment, and the invitation process. They will oversee any Events volunteers and staff.

This position is expected to provide on-site support for any SFFILM events during the fall, including Doc Stories (October 17 – 20) and Awards Night (December 9), in venues across the San Francisco Bay Area, and to work in accordance with in-office requirements as determined by organization-wide and department policies.

Application review begins August 12, 2024 and earliest possible start date is September 9 2024. This position is full-time, hourly, nonexempt, with an intended pay rate of $23-$24 per hour.

SFFILM currently supports a hybrid-remote schedule, with an average of 3 days in the San Francisco offices, as well as time onsite throughout the Bay Area supporting SFFILM events.

Principal Duties

  • Responsible for lead producing and project managing all SFFILM fall season parties and receptions, bringing events from conception to execution within budget
  • Responsible for the execution of the Doc Stories Lounge, including leading relationships with venue and vendors
  • Support the execution of private meals, including researching and confirming restaurants and menu planning
  • Project manage cross-departmental workflows on all event related tasks, including facilitating conversations with other relevant decision makers on event look and feel, and reconciling priorities for different constituent groups
  • Provide timely and clear information to SFFILM staff on event status during the process, and share out runs of show for all events
  • Brainstorm and manage booking venues, entertainment, catering, bar service, and activities, including surrounding logistics i.e. securing permits, executing contracts, and issuing COIs when needed
  • Manager Special Events budget, and track and submit all payments and expenses
  • Work with the Development and Communications Departments to support the invitation process for events, including contributing to copy, oversight of capacity, and pulling RSVP lists
  • Manage venue and vendor relationships, including all rentals
  • Act as a key player for producing SFFILM Awards Night, including supporting any project management, supervising staff, actively working with the production crew, and other duties as needed
  • Support planning for the SFFILM Festival, including research and outreach for event venues, and working with the Office and Production Manager on organizing inventory and other production projects
  • Work closely with the Development team on execution of sponsor obligations and in-kind partnerships
  • Support Office and Production Manager and Makers team with events at FilmHouse, including project managing of certain Filmhouse events, schedule dependent
  • Work closely with the Tech and Media Manager on all technical aspects of event production
  • Work with the Director of Operations and Production Manager on planning and executing load-ins and load-outs for all Events
  • Create safe events that are aligned with COVID-19 safety protocols
  • Work closely with Director of Operations to prioritize accessibility at all events, and make sure accessibility information is properly communicated across departments and to all necessary public touchpoints
  • Support other Operations team members and projects as needed
  • Create a written wrap-report and summary of all necessary timeline info

Experience/Skills Required

  • 2+ years experience managing events of varying size, budget, and scope
  • Experience producing live events and familiarity with the pressures and challenges of meeting the needs of high-touch constituents
  • Experience liaising with high-touch constituents and balancing competing, and often urgent, needs
  • Experience working in a non-profit professional environment
  • Experience managing event and production staff and working with venue management
  • Experience with food and beverage logistics and permitting
  • Experience creating accessible events for a variety of accommodations is a plus
  • Experience with film festivals is a plus
  • Possess great energy and efficiency and a cooperative spirit
  • Be friendly, welcoming and comfortable interacting with people with vastly different backgrounds and roles
  • Must be proactive, communicative, and able to work with minimal supervision and a limited budget
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, to prioritize effectively, and to respond to last-minute requests
  • Comfortable with the heavy lifting and labor inherent in loading in and out festival sites
  • Comfort in Google Drive, FileMaker, Eventbrite and Basecamp a plus
  • Familiarity with Bay Area event venues, artists, and performers a plus

Supervision

This position reports to the Director of Operations