Highly anticipated by its loyal and passionate audiences, championed by civic and
community leaders, admired and adored by filmmakers and closely watched by
industry professionals, SFIFF is one of the most important events in the Bay
Area’s cultural calendar and an important stop on the international festival
circuit.
The International is deeply rooted in the strongest and finest traditions of
appreciation of film both as an art form and as a meaningful agent for social
change. It is a cultural treasure for Bay Area audiences, who embrace new
ideas, compassionate humanity and world citizenship. SFIFF features a bonanza
of narrative feature films, live action and animated shorts, television and
theatrical documentaries, experimental work and a variety of new digital media,
as well as a smart lineup of industry panels and seminars, awards events, onstage
tributes, retrospectives and the highly acclaimed Schools at the Festival
program, which brings 4,200 students in grades 1–12 into the festivities.
Remarkably intimate for a festival of its size and scope, the International combines a
range of marquee premieres, international competitions, hard-hitting
documentaries, digital media work and star-studded gala events.