SFFILM

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2021 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest

SFFILM Education presented the twelfth annual Schools at the Festival Student Essay Contest at the 2021 San Francisco International Film Festival (April 9–18, 2021). This contest is made possible by the generous support of the Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Education Fund, endowed by Tim Kochis and SFFILM board member Penelope Wong to honor the memory of her mother, Nellie Wong (1917–2007), who was an avid filmgoer and cinephile. Developed to support the year-round outreach efforts of SFFILM Education, the Fund aims to cultivate students’ imaginations, enhance their critical thinking and creative writing skills and instill a greater appreciation for the magic of movies in young audiences of the Bay Area.

Stay tuned for 2022 contest details.

2021 Winners

High School
First Place ($500 cash prize): Lia Cano
Runner Up ($250 cash prize): Isabella Romeu
Runner Up ($250 cash prize): Korei Gray

Middle School
First Place ($300 cash prize): Johnathan Gullick
Runner Up ($150 cash prize): Kana Ohnishi
Runner Up ($150 cash prize): Soleil Warner

Grade School
First Place ($150 cash prize): Siena Sid
Runner Up ($75 cash prize): Elle McQuiston
Runner Up ($75 cash prize): Landon Hlopak

All winning essays will be published on www.sffilm.org. For questions, contact Keith Zwölfer at 415-561-5040 or kzwolfer@SfFilm.org.

Festival Drive-In FAQ

Please follow social distance requirements at all times. There is ZERO tolerance for not complying with COVID-19 guidelines. Attendees who fail to follow safe distancing at the request of staff will be asked to leave the event. No refunds will be given.

Overview

  • What are the mask wearing policies?
    Anyone in your party over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask at all times when outside of the vehicle. Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not allowed. When inside the vehicle, if windows are down or doors are open, masks must be worn at all times, unless eating or taking a drink.
  • Can I exit my vehicle to stretch my legs or walk around Fort Mason?
    All attendees are asked to remain inside their vehicles when not using the restroom facilities or purchasing concessions. Attendees may not bring chairs or blankets and sit outside of their vehicle.
  • Can I roll my windows down?
    Windows may be open as long as masks are worn at all times, unless the attendee is eating or taking a drink.
  • What is the restroom situation?
    Restrooms are located in building D, the long building flanking the right side of the parking area. Masks must be worn at all times, and the line for the restroom is spaced 6' apart. Restrooms are sanitized and cleaned regularly. Restrooms are located on the first floor and the second floor. All restrooms are gender-neutral.
  • Is there social distancing?
    All parking spaces are distanced by 6 feet to promote and maintain a safe social distance. Concessions will be marked with socially distanced signage.

Fort Mason Rules + Guidelines

  • Is there assigned parking?
    All parking is General Admission and on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking spots will be determined by the parking attendants based on the order of arrival and the size of your vehicle.
  • What time does entry begin?
    Cars will be allowed to enter 60 minutes in advance of showtime.
  • I have a ticket to both programs in a given night. Do I have to exit the venue between shows?
    Guests who purchase tickets to both the 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm (PDT) screenings will be expected to exit the parking lot and re-enter between shows.
  • Can I back into my spot for hatchback viewing?
    A limited number of spaces are reserved for hatchback viewing. For consideration of other patrons, these spaces are at the back of the lot. Please notify a parking attendant upon your arrival if you would like a spot for hatchback viewing. This is done on a first-come-first-served basis, and if all of the rear parking spaces are full, we will be unable to accommodate further hatchback viewers.
  • What size car is allowed?
    Please do not bring any vehicle larger than an SUV. For sightline reasons, any large vehicle such as SUVs or trucks will be parked towards the rear of the venue so as not to block the views of smaller cars. Bicycles and motorcycles are not permitted at this time.
  • What is the exact address?
    Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94109
  • What happens if I arrive late?
    In order to ensure all patrons have an enjoyable experience, please arrive early. Ticket holders who arrive less than 15 minutes prior to showtime are not guaranteed entry. Doors close 20 minutes after showtime; anyone arriving after that time we will not be allowed entry.
  • How will we hear the film?
    Audio will be broadcast through FM stereo sound that is tuned directly through your car's FM stereo. Turn your key to accessory mode to keep your stereo on. If you don't have an FM stereo, please bring a portable radio. We will have a limited number of radios to rent out at each screening. In the rare instance that your battery dies, we will have jumper cables and staff ready to get you on your way.
  • What is the specific FM Station I'll need to be tuned to?
    The FM station will be displayed on a screen at Fort Mason during the pre-show. One of our on-site staff can assist you if you are having trouble.
  • What is the headlight situation?
    Car headlights must be turned off during the film. Prior to arrival, please locate how to manually turn car headlights off.
  • Will there be concessions?
    Off the Grid will have food trucks on-site for every drive-in. Scheduled trucks are: 4/9: El Sur 4/10: Cielito Lindo 4/11: Cielito Lindo 4/15: Curry Up Now 4/16: Taqueria Angelica 6/17: Cielito Lindo Other food/beverage options in Fort Mason include: Goody’s Cafe for freshly popped popcorn and other snacks; The Interval for handcrafted cocktails and mocktails; and Greens for beautifully prepared vegetarian meals to-go.
  • Will ticket scanning be contactless? If so, where should I display my ticket?
    Once you arrive at Fort Mason, a ticketing attendant will approach your window -- you may roll it down if you are comfortable, or hold your ticket flush against the window with the QR Code visible. If it is on your phone screen, make sure your brightness is all the way up.
  • May I bring my dog with me?
    Service animals on a leash and under their owner's control are allowed at Fort Mason. Emotional Support animals and other pets are not.

Drive-In Tickets + Passes

  • Will films shown at the Drive-In also be available online to stream?
    The majority of the Festival program will be online; there will be a limited number of films exclusive to the Drive-In.
  • What does it mean if a show is AT RUSH?
    A show is AT RUSH when all advance tickets have sold out. Rush tickets may be sold as part of the daily Noon Ticket Release or just before showtime, on-site at the Fort Mason Drive-In. You may arrive up to 60 minutes in advance of the show, where-upon you will be given a window number and parked to the side of the lot. Once all ticket and pass holders are parked, any empty spots will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis to those in the Rush lot.
  • How do I receive my tickets?
    Upon completion of your order, you will automatically receive a confirmation email from info@sffilm.org containing PDF attachments for both a print at home ticket, and a mobile ticket that can be presented on a mobile device upon arrival at Fort Mason.

    On the final page of the checkout screen, once the order has gone through, you also have the option to directly download either PDF ticket, or re-send the confirmation email should it not have arrived.

  • Do I need to print my tickets?
    Tickets can be printed at home and brought to the venue or displayed on your mobile device.
  • Will there be a Will Call for the Drive-In tickets I'm purchasing?
    There will be no Will Call at the Drive-In. All tickets are delivered electronically.
  • Can I buy a ticket upon arrival?

    Other than RUSH tickets, ticket sales are only available in advance, online, or over the phone. You can browse our program and purchase Live Event tickets here or by calling 415-561-5006.

  • I can't find my confirmation email.
    Check your Junk/Spam folder for an email from community@sffilm.org. If you find it there, please mark it as "Not Junk" and add us to your address book. If you still can't find it, sign into your SFFILM account and click on the MY ORDERS tab to access your recent orders.
  • Can I use my Streaming Pass for Screenings at the Drive-In?
    The Streaming Pass is for all of our online streaming programs and does not include access to our Drive-In screenings. Tickets to these must be purchased separately.

Drive-In Accessibility

  • How can I request an ADA spot?
    If you require ADA parking accommodations, please let a parking attendant know upon arrival. If you have a request for accommodations in advance of the show or questions about accessibility at this event, please contact ada@sffilm.org.
  • Will Drive-In films have closed captions available?
    None of the films presented at the Drive-In have the ability for closed captioning.
  • Where can I learn more about accessibility at this venue?
    Please reach out to ada@sffilm.org with questions or to request accommodations.
  • Are there steep hills?
    No, the Drive-In lot is quite flat!
  • Are there ripped up sidewalks or pavement?
    The pavement is fairly smooth, with no notable cracks or fissures.
  • How easy is it to navigate the surrounding area for a wheelchair?
    The lot is flat and easily accessible. There are ramps leading up to the restrooms in building D.
  • Are there accessible bathroom stalls?
    There are accessible bathroom stalls in the first floor restrooms.
  • Are there gender neutral bathrooms?
    All bathrooms at Fort Mason are gender neutral.
  • Is there unscented soap in restrooms?
    Unfortunatelty not, the soaps in Fort Mason restrooms are all scented.
  • Are service dogs welcome?
    Yes. Service animals on a leash and under their owner’s control are welcome. Emotional support animals are not.
  • Do you have a point person for on-site ADA Requests?
    If you have questions, feedback, or accessibility needs please email ada@sffilm.org. Once on-site, SFFILM Venue Managers and Fort Mason staff will be your points of contact.

For any and all questions, please contact info@sffilm.org.