SF Film Festivals

San Francisco Film Festivals Guide

SF Film Festivals

Introduction to the San Francisco Film Festival Scene

San Francisco, a city renowned for its cultural diversity and artistic spirit, boasts a vibrant and dynamic film festival calendar that reflects its rich cinematic heritage. From the fog-shrouded streets that set the scene for classic film noir to the cutting-edge tech industry shaping digital filmmaking’s future, San Francisco provides a unique backdrop for celebrating the art of cinema.

The city’s film festival scene is as diverse as its population, offering something for every type of movie enthusiast. San Francisco hosts various film festivals, each with a distinct flavor and focus. These events showcase the best in international and independent cinema and serve as platforms for emerging filmmakers, fostering creativity and dialogue in the film community.

From the historic San Francisco International Film Festival, the oldest in the Americas, to niche events celebrating specific genres or cultural perspectives, the city’s film festivals collectively present thousands of films to eager audiences annually. These festivals transform local theaters into hubs of cultural exchange, where filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie lovers converge to share in the magic of storytelling through film.

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer, a dedicated cinephile, or an aspiring filmmaker, San Francisco’s film festivals offer unique opportunities to explore new perspectives, engage with creators, and experience cinema in all its forms. The following calendar provides a comprehensive guide to the major film festivals that define San Francisco’s cinematic year, inviting residents and visitors alike to partake in the city’s enduring love affair with the silver screen.

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Jan

• Noir City Film Festival –  Head over to Oakland for the largest film festival in the US dedicated to noir philosophy, attitude, and style in films, books, art, and music. The festival promises “ultra rare films and very special guests.”

Feb

• Mostly British Film Festival – The Vogue Theater showcases works from the U.K., Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa during the week-long Mostly British Film Festival. Feb 15-22, 2024
• SF IndieFest – For over a quarter century, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival has sought discoveries for Bay Area film fans to enjoy. Now, with the age of computerized algorithms, a human touch is needed more than ever to curate a unique cinematic experience,” explains Festival Director Jeff Ross. “SF IndieFest continues to provide new and unusual alternatives to the Hollywood Industrial Complex. You won’t find these films at the cinema or on popular streaming services. Feb 8-18, 2024

Mar

• SF Human Rights Film Festival – We celebrate our eighteenth anniversary with an amazing program. This year’s films address human rights violations in the US, Syria, Guatemala, The Philippines, Chile, Argentina, China, Hawaii, Australia, Nicaragua, Canada, and Myanmar. The issues include political repression, genocide, disappearances, human trafficking, women’s rights, climate change, environmental destruction, LGBTQ rights, racism, indigenous rights, colonialism, extractive economy, migrations, immigration, and refugees. TBD

Apr

• INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL – One of the largest and most diverse of its kind, the Festival features documentaries, animations, narratives, and other traditional screen fares. Topics include ocean adventures, island cultures, surfing, sharks (of course), and many more things oceanic. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center. Apr 12-14, 2024
• International Film Festival – Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. Refreshingly intimate for a festival of size and scope, the event traditionally combines a range of marquee premieres, international competitions, compelling documentaries, new digital media work, live music performances, and star-studded red-carpet events. Apr 24-28, 2024
• Irish Film Festival – The San Francisco Irish Film Festival (SFIFF) was founded in 2003 by Niall McKay with the support of the Irish Film Institute. The festival presents contemporary Irish cinema, including features, documentaries, and short films. The festival is held annually at the Delancey Street Theater. Apr 25 – May 5, 2024

May

• San Francisco Silent Film Festival – The 27th San Francisco Silent Film Festival took place at the historic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco’s Marina District April 10–14. Twenty-two live cinema programs—beautiful silent-era films with superb live musical accompaniment—at one of San Francisco’s most beloved landmarks! May 8-25, 2025
• CAAMFest – CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 130 works in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland. Since 1982, the Festival has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers and a vital source for new Asian cinema: New People Cinema and various theaters. May 9-19, 2024
• San Francisco Documentary Film Festival – SF DocFest documentaries often uncover deep truths while exploring fun and lighthearted subject matter and are produced by SF IndieFest at the Roxie Theater. May 29 – Jun 8, 2025

Jun

• Save the Waves Film Festival – Save The Waves Film Festival is an international film tour and fundraiser for our organization’s environmental programs and campaigns to protect surf ecosystems worldwide. Jun 11 – Aug 1, 2024
• Annual San Francisco Black Film Festival – The Annual San Francisco Black Film Festival opens in a new window and celebrates African American cinema and the African cultural diaspora, showcasing a diverse collection of emerging and established filmmakers. Jun 13-16, 2024
• Queer Women of Color Film Festival – Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) promotes the creation, exhibition, and distribution of new films and videos that increase the visibility of queer women of color, authentically reflect our life stories, and address the vital social justice issues that concern our communities. San Francisco, CA; Jun 14-16, 2024
• Frameline Film Festival – Frameline’s mission is to change the world through the power of queer cinema. As a media arts nonprofit, Frameline’s programs connect filmmakers and audiences in San Francisco and worldwide. Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution, and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender media arts. 2025

Jul

• San Francisco Frozen Film Festival – Roxie Theater showcases the year’s best new independent avant-garde pop culture films, taking its name from the distinct chill of the San Francisco summer. Jul 17-21, 2024
• San Francisco Jewish Film Festival – The Castro Theater and other Bay Area venues feature films from American and international filmmakers showcasing the diversity and vitality of Jewish culture. The festival is the world’s first, oldest, and most prestigious celebration. Jul 18 – Aug 4, 2024

Aug
Sept

• Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema – Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema presents free screenings of diverse, local filmmakers’ works in neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and other community-friendly spaces to increase the exposure and recognition of local artists and to heighten appreciation by neighborhood and citywide residents while bringing the community together. Sept 5-7, 2024
• Iranian Film Festival – The Iranian Film Festival (IFF) in San Francisco is an annual event showcasing independent features and short films about Iranians worldwide. It’s the first independent Iranian film festival outside of Iran. The IFF launched in 2008 and is open to all genres, including fiction, short, animation, documentary, music video, sports, and children. TBA

Oct

• Latino Film Festival – The Festival showcases the work of emerging and established filmmakers from the US, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. It is a celebration of the latest work from 20+ countries and the diaspora with which we share a bond. Cultural events like ours help foster community and cross-cultural exchanges with each other locally in the Bay Area and across borders. Oct 3, 2024
• S.F. Dance Film Festival – The San Francisco Dance Film Festival (SFDFF) is a multi-day international event showcasing the best dance films worldwide. Oct 16-20, 2024
• SF International Festival of Short Films – The San Francisco International Festival of Short Films (SF Shorts) is a short film festival that explores a wide mix of genres and cultures. The festival accepts all types of short films, including music videos. Oct 17-27, 2024
• Green Film Festival – The Green Film Festival is presented by SF IndieFest, a 501c3 nonprofit that has presented over 60 film festivals over the past 24 years, acquiring a strong following with independent film fans and garnering press coverage and recognition for thousands of films and filmmakers. SF IndieFest is a founding member of the Film Festival Alliance. Oct 17 – 27, 2024
• United Nations Association Film Festival – The United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) is an international documentary film festival. It was founded in 1998 by Jasmina Bojic, a Stanford educator and film critic, to honor the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The 26th UNAFF will be held in Palo Alto, Stanford University, East Palo Alto, and San Francisco. This year’s theme is “SOLUTIONS” and continues the festival’s devotion to human rights, emphasizing strategies and approaches that offer solutions to problems. UNAFF is one of the longest-running documentary film festivals in the U.S. Oct 17-27, 2024
• Arab Film Festival – Launched in 1996, the festival’s mission is to present the best of contemporary films that illuminate the richness of Arab culture through authentic narratives and images, providing insight into the beauty and complexity of the Arab world. Oct 24, 2024
• 3i International South Asian Film Festival– Bollywood & Beyond: Celebrate 3rd i’s eighteenth annual SF International South Asian Film Festival (Bollywood & Beyond) as a FREE virtual event with some of the best cinema in India, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. TBA

Nov

• Transgender Film Festival – For 25 years, SFTFF has screened films that promote the visibility of transgender and gender variant people and challenge the mainstream media’s negative stereotypes of our communities. We provide opportunities for transgender and gender variant media artists, build community through film and performance events, and engage our audiences in cross-community dialogue. This year, we’ve curated seven brilliant programs featuring over 40 in-person and online films! All of our films are closed-captioned. Nov 8-10, 2024
• Napa Valley Film Festival – This film, food, and wine celebration lights up the towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. It features more than 125 new independent films and studio sneak previews screening in venues throughout four highly walkable towns. TBA

Dec

• Another Hole in the Head Film Festival – San Francisco’s ‘Another Hole in the Head’ Film Festival is a three-week-plus cinematic excursion into the realms of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and assorted other genres. Another Hole in the Head pulls together a diverse collection of films representing all varieties and budgetary considerations, providing a unique vehicle for independent cinema. Dec 1-25, 2024

SF Film Festivals