Mar 31, 2015
Artist Development
San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Film Society announced today that the 58th San Francisco International Film Festival‘s lineup will include six films that have received support by the Filmmaker360 program. The supported films to screen as part of this year’s Festival represent each of the several ways in which the San Francisco Film Society provides funding and creative services for independent film projects from around the globe as part of its year-round filmmaker services programs.
Jennifer Phang’s Advantageous and Leah Wolchok’s Very Semi-Serious were developed as the respective directors took part in the SFFS FilmHouse Residency program; Turner Ross’s Western and Jenni Olsosn’s The Royal Road were part of the SFFS Project Development program; Unexpected by Kris Swanberg was awarded a SFFS / KRF Filmmaking Grant for postproduction in the fall of 2014; and Romeo is Bleeding by Jason Zeldes was a 2014 Documentary Film Fund winner.
“It is such a pleasure to give these remarkable films a place on the Bay Area’s biggest stage for independent filmmaking,” said Michele Turnure-Salleo, Director of the Filmmaker360 program. “Each of these titles represents a different way in which the San Francisco Film Society supports talented filmmakers and their incredible projects. We are excited to finally share these wonderful works with the Bay Area audiences as part of SFIFF58.”
Filmmaker360, the San Francisco Film Society’s filmmaker support program, is the largest granting body for independent narrative feature films in the United States, dispersing nearly $1 million annually across various programs to incubate and support innovative and exceptional films. Filmmaker360’s activities focus on career sustainability for independent filmmakers, and its diverse initiatives offer unparalleled assistance and opportunities designed to foster creativity and shepherd important projects toward completion. Services offered by Filmmaker360 include cash grants, consultation services, project development and fiscal sponsorship, FilmHouse residencies offering free office space to filmmakers in any stage of production, and much more. For more information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY-SUPPORTED FILMS AT SFIFF58
Advantageous, directed by Jennifer Phang
Set in the near-future, Advantageous (winner of a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival) focuses on Gwen Koh, a single mother, whose aspirations for her daughter drive her to the precipice of a fraught decision. Including eerie and ingenious low-key special effects and a deliciously understated performance by Jacqueline Kim, this sci-fi film is rife with underlying tension and lyrical beauties that perfectly match the urban dystopian atmosphere of quiet desperation.
· SFFS FilmHouse Resident, September 2012-present (more info)
Romeo is Bleeding, directed by Jason Zeldes
Bay Area poet Donté Clark’s efforts to heal a community reeling from violence form the core of this inspiring documentary. With the help of teacher/mentor Molly Raynor, Clark collaborates with African American teenagers from the RAW (Richmond Art Wave) Talent project to adapt Shakespeare’s <strong>Romeo and Juliet</strong> to modern-day Richmond, a community facing long-standing and overwhelming issues of gang violence. A special World Premiere screening will take place at El Cerrito High School, a venue that is featured in the film.
· 2014 Documentary Film Fund (DFF) winner (more info)
· Enrolled in SFFS Project Development program (more info)
The Royal Road, directed by Jenni Olson
San Francisco director Jenni Olson’s second feature-length film solidifies her standing as a major voice in the use of film as personal essay. Primarily composed of two elements—Olson’s self-revealing voiceover narration and long takes of beautifully composed urban landscapes shot on vibrant 16mm film—the film’s spare approach belies a sly and bountiful complexity as it burrows into the endlessly mineable terrains of history and memory.
· SFFS Project Development program (more info)
Unexpected, directed by Kris Swanberg
The low-key realism of Kris Swanberg’s heartfelt drama Unexpected allows her to explore large social issues with great intimacy. With her inner-city high school on the brink of closure, teacher Samantha Abbot (Cobie Smolders) is at a crossroads in her life, and her unplanned pregnancy isn’t making things any easier. When she learns her favorite student Jasmine is pregnant, too, Samantha decides to focus all her attention on helping her young friend—whether Jasmine wants it, or not.
· Fall 2014 SFFS / KRF Filmmaking Grant winner: $50,000 for postproduction (more info)
Very Semi-Serious, directed by Leah Wolchok
Bay Area filmmaker Leah Wolchok’s highly entertaining behind-the-scenes documentary look at the world of The New Yorker‘s cartoons and cartoonists brings to vivid life a beloved part of the magazine. Featuring insightful interviews with many of the magazine’s most popular contributors (including Roz Chast and Bruce Eric Kaplan) and the department’s sagacious editor Bob Mankoff, meditations on humor and life and many dozens of cartoons, it’s unmissable for fans of the magazine and its sophisticated irreverence.
· SFFS FilmHouse Resident, September 2013-2014 (more info)
Western, directed by Bill Ross and Turner Ross
This intimate, observational documentary portrait of the US-Mexico border focuses on two Eagle Pass, TX, residents—cattleman Martin Wall and Mayor Chad Foster—and follows the strains in the border town’s relationship to its sister city, Piedras Negras, Mexico. As drug cartel violence moves into the region and threatens to spin out of control, U.S. Federal policies made a thousand miles away shut down commerce and further test an already delicate balance.
· Enrolled in the SFFS Project Development program (more info)
In addition to these six features, there are two short films made by SFFS-supported filmmakers playing in the Shorts 4: New Visions program. Blackout: John Burris Speaks is produced by FilmHouse resident Ephraim Walker and directed by Terence Nance. The Boombox Collection: Boots Riley was directed by Mohammad Gorjestani, produced by Malcolm Pullinger and stars Boots Riley, all of whom are also current FilmHouse residents.
For general information visit festival.sffs.org.
To request interviews or screeners, contact your Festival publicist.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.
58th San Francisco International Film Festival
The 58th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 23-May 7 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Castro Theatre, Landmark’s Clay Theatre and the Roxie Theater in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. Held each spring for 15 days, SFIFF is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities, featuring nearly 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards with nearly $40,000 in cash prizes and upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests.