Mar 15, 2017
Education, Festival
San Francisco, CA — SFFILM today announced an exciting variety of family-friendly program offerings available for audiences at the 60th San Francisco International Film Festival. With a film program comprised of Born in China, Shorts 5: Family Films, Shorts 6: Youth Works; and a slate of Master Classes including Finding Characters In Unlikely Places with Pixar’s Newest Short, Lou: A Workshop for Kids, and We Are All Storytellers: A Pixar In A Box Workshop For Girls, SFFILM Festival continues its ongoing commitment to showcasing films and programs to suit Bay Area audiences of all ages.
“As a parent of two small children, I feel extremely fortunate to be able to raise my daughters in the city of San Francisco, where when it comes to cultural experiences they have an embarrassment of riches,” said SFFILM Associate Director of Education, Keith Zwölfer. “I’m proud that SFFILM is an important part of this vibrant arts community and that we have such an exciting and diverse lineup of programs to offer up for families this year. Perhaps we will be providing a child’s first experience with international cinema or an opportunity to meet and learn from one of the talented artists of Pixar Animation Studios. Whatever they do select, I’m confident they are in for a truly inspiring and memorable experience.”
Born in China:
Since 2008, the Disneynature series has successfully brought inspiring wildlife documentaries to the screen, releasing a new film every Earth Day. Born in China marks a new and ambitious collaboration for the series: a partnership with the Chinese government to create a celebration of the country’s flora and fauna. Featuring stunning cinematography and narration by John Krasinski, the film follows the lives of three animal families of giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and snow leopards to inspire passions toward conservation of these endangered animals.
Tickets to Born in China are $13 for SFFILM members, $15 for the general public, $8 for children 12 and under. Box office is open to SFFILM members now online at sffilm.org and opens for the general public Friday, March 17.
Shorts 5: Family Films:
The smallest members of your family, the young at heart, and everyone in between will find something to love in this exciting lineup of films. This eclectic collection has the power to connect us with storytellers in far-off destinations, from China and South Africa to our own backyard. Works from emerging filmmakers are placed alongside those by veteran artists, including Oscar®-winner Patrick Osborne, Festival alum Julia Pott, and Pixar Animation Studios, here presenting its latest work. Following a Q&A, audience members will be able to participate in a meet & greet with some of our attending filmmakers, including Dave Mullins and Dana Muray from Pixar, members of the filmmaking team behind the Google Spotlight Stories Academy Award®-nominated Pearl, and Cartoon Network Art Director Nick Cross. Total running time 65 min; Recommended for ages 5 and up
Tickets to Shorts 5: Family Films are $13 for SFFILM members, $15 for the general public, $8 for children 12 and under. Box office is open to SFFILM members now online at sffilm.org and opens for the general public Friday, March 17.
Shorts 6: Youth Works:
The quality of work produced by these young artists is sure to dazzle audiences, from their films’ technical prowess to the maturity of their storytelling. This collection is an inspired and inspiring look at the world as interpreted by film’s next generation. Come see their unique takes on love, identity, politics, and more. We guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face. The future of cinema is resting in very capable hands. Total running time 85 min; Recommended for ages 11 and up
Tickets to Shorts 6: Youth Works are $13 for SFFILM members, $15 for the general public, $8 for children 12 and under. Box office is open to SFFILM members now online at sffilm.org and opens for the general public Friday, March 17.
Finding Characters In Unlikely Places with Pixar’s Newest Short, Lou: A Workshop for Kids:
Join Pixar Animation Studios Director Dave Mullins for a screening of and discussion about his new animated short Lou. Pixar has created some of the most original and beloved characters in the history of animation, from Woody and Buzz to Dory and Hank. Mullins will show how the story of Lou developed from an idea to the finished film. Participants will learn how his unique character came to be, and how inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places. Dave will lead hands-on activities, teaching participants how to draw the newest Pixar star and guiding them through sculpting and drawing exercises as they create their own characters. Please bring in one item for inspiration that you would typically find in your school’s lost-and-found box. Presented in partnership with the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Tickets to Finding Characters In Unlikely Places with Pixar’s Newest Short, Lou: A Workshop for Kids are $20 for SFFILM members, $25 for the general public. Box office is open to SFFILM members now online at sffilm.org and opens for the general public Friday, March 17.
We Are All Storytellers: A Pixar In A Box Workshop For Girls:
Join women artists from Pixar Animation Studios for a program for young girls interested in writing and storytelling. This Master Class is a collaboration with Pixar in a Box-a free online resource that shows students how Pixar artists use math, science, and humanities as a part of their process. We’ll begin by looking at the history of women storytellers in film. Then we’ll learn how each of them began telling stories and how they developed their storytelling skills. By examining films that presenters worked on, students will also learn about the Pixar story development process. Students will then jump into creativity exercises, empowering them to start thinking of themselves as storytellers and inspiring them to develop the unique ideas that they already have inside of them. Presented in partnership with the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Tickets to We Are All Storytellers: A Pixar In A Box Workshop For Girls are $20 for SFFILM members, $25 for the general public. Box office is open to SFFILM members now online at sffilm.org and opens for the general public Friday, March 17.
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.