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Press Release > Festival > Gillian Robespierre’s ‘Landline’ Set as Opening Night of Landmark 60th San Francisco International Film Festival

Gillian Robespierre’s ‘Landline’ Set as Opening Night of Landmark 60th San Francisco International Film Festival

Mar 15, 2017

Festival

San Francisco, CA — SFFILM today announced that the landmark 60th San Francisco International Film Festival will begin in style with a special Opening Night screening of Gillian Robespierre’s acclaimed independent comedy Landline at the Castro Theatre, Wednesday, April 5, at 7:00 pm, followed by the Opening Night Party at the Regency Center. Star Jenny Slate and co-writer, producer Elisabeth Holm are scheduled to attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Additional guests to be announced.

“It is a very special moment for SFFILM to welcome back this talented group of filmmakers, whose debut Obvious Child received a special grant from our artist development program,” said SFFILM’s Executive Director Noah Cowan. “Their new film Landline builds significantly on the promise of that terrific first feature, yielding impressive wisdom and humor from the painful process of growing up and, sometimes, apart. We are especially grateful to be welcoming members of this impressive ensemble cast to San Francisco for the kickoff of our anniversary program at the beautiful Castro Theatre.”

Gillian Robespierre’s (Obvious Child, Festival 2014) second feature captures a dysfunctional family that grows closer when long-buried infidelities come to light across generations. The humor is compassionate and honest with a neurotic edge that matches its ’90s New York setting. Jenny Slate, Edie Falco, John Turturro, Jay Duplass, and newcomer Abie Quinn make up the exceptional ensemble cast in this charming film that never shies away from the personal flaws that complicate and strengthen the relationships in our lives. Amazon Studios will be releasing Landline on July 21, 2017.  

Brooklyn-born Gillian Robespierre burst on to the independent film scene with her first, SFFILM-supported feature Obvious Child, which won her a Best Directorial Debut award from the National Board of Review. Her second film, Landline, started a successful Festival run by premiering in competition at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.   The screening will be followed by a rousing Opening Night Party at 9:00 pm at the Regency Center, kicking off our 60th anniversary and 2017 program with a bash featuring live entertainment, dancing, and treats from some of San Francisco’s finest food and beverage purveyors. Must be 21+ to attend.   

Tickets to Opening Night: Landline: Film & Party: $60 / $75 VIP Film & Party (includes reserved seats at the screening and VIP party access): $125 / $150 Film Only: $30 / $35 Party Only: $40 / $45

Box office is now open online at sffilm.org for SFFILM members and opens March 17 for the general public.  

For general information visit sffilm.org/festival
To request interviews or screeners, contact your Festival Press Office contact.
For photos and press materials visit sffilm.org/press    

60th San Francisco International Film Festival The longest-running film festival in the Americas, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities. The 60th edition runs April 5-19 at venues across the Bay Area and features nearly 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards with close to $40,000 in cash prizes, and upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests.   

Filed Under: Festival, Press Release

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