Mark your calendars! Once again, SFFILM is ready to illuminate San Francisco with the dazzling prestige of movie magic as the 67th San Francisco International Film Festival premieres on April 24–28. With a newly condensed schedule of only 5 days now centered in the city’s historic Marina District, this can’t-miss city festivity will concentrate the best upcoming projects and names in cinema, along with exclusive talks, appearances, and even encores. “We have been boldly imagining a future where the San Francisco Bay Area is thriving in its celebration of and engagement with the arts and community,” said Anne Lai, Executive Director of SFFILM.
This year also marks a significant spotlight on AAPI representation in Hollywood, showcasing a diverse plethora of international and Asian American films, events, and awards. Asthe SF Bay Area is also a historic hub for the AAPI community, this notion also adds extra prestige and honor, creating a full-circle moment for many of the AAPI filmmakers who are also from the area.
From intriguing documentaries and captivating shorts, to heartwarming narratives and legendary honorees, here is a list of the extraordinary AAPI films and events to not miss this year.
- Dìdi (弟弟)
Director: Sean Wang (USA 2023, 90)
When: Opening Night, Wed Apr 24 at 7 pm PT at Premier Theater & 8 pm PT at Marina 1 Narratives: USA
What: A semi-autobiographical feature debut from Sean Wang set in 2008 Fremont highlighting cultural conformity, adolescence, and the dawn of online relationships via AIM chat and MySpace featuring Shirley Chen and Joan Chen.
It is the recipient of support from SFFILM Rainin Grant, SFFILM Invest, and SFFILM Dolby Institute Fellowship.
Also don’t miss the Special Event: Festival Talk: Filmmaking in the Bay Area and “Dìdi (弟弟)” on Thursday, Apr 25 at 5 pm PT at the SFFILM Festival Lounge with Sean Wang and how living in the Bay Area has shaped his career and perspective.
- A Tribute to Joan Chen + “Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl”
Director: Joan Chen (China 1998, 147)
When: Sun Apr 28 at 1 pm PT at Premier Theater
Narratives: International
What: A grand tribute and intimate conversation celebrating San Francisco-based actress and director Joan Chen, and an exclusive 35 mm screening of her directorial debut feature Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl- a film steeped in drama, romance, and slow-building moods.
Joan is known for roles in The Last Emperor (1987) and the David Lynch series Twin Peaks (1989–1991). SFFILM honored her in 2014 as Essential SF and paid tribute to Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl in 2017 with a 20th anniversary screening.
- The Cats of Gokogu Shrine
Director: Kazuhiro Soda (Japan 2024, 119)
When: Sat Apr 27 at 2:45 pm PT at Marina 2, and Sun Apr 28 at 7 pm PT at BAMPFA
North American Premiere Documentaries: International
What: A tender and amusing inside look at an aging community’s daily routines and their relationship to some feline friends.
- Gentle Breeze
Director: Wenwei Hu (China 2023, 4)
When: Sunday April 28 at 11 am PT at Marina Theatre
Shorts 6: Youth Works
What: An old man, a young boy, and a bunch of balloons take a fantastic journey through rural China.
- Boat People
Director: Thao Lam (Canada 2023, 10)
When: Thursday April 25 at 5:30 pm PT at Marina Theatre
Shorts 4: Migration Flows
What: A second-generation daughter conceptualizes her parents’ journey from Vietnam through the movement of ants.
- Agent of Happiness
Director: Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó (Bhutan 2024, 94)
When: Thu, Apr 25 at 6:00 pm PT at Marina Theatre, and Sun, Apr 28 at 12:00 pm PT at BAMPFA
What: A documentary that investigates the age-old quest to find the purpose of life—and to derive happiness from fulfilling that purpose.
- Sloan Science on Screen: “Mabel”
Director: Nicholas Ma (USA 2023, 84)
When: Sat, Apr 27 at 5:00 pm PT at Vogue Theatre
What: A biracial girl named Callie experiments with raising chrysanthemums in darkness and draws in the people around her as she navigates adolescence.
- Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa
Director: Lucy Walker (USA 2023, 98)
When: Fri Apr 26 at 6 pm PT at Premier Theater
Documentaries: International
What: The US Premiere of the inspiring story centering Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to conquer Mount Everest and survive.
- Ru
Director: Charles-Olivier Michaud (Canada 2023, 116)
When: Sat Apr 27 at 5:45 pm PT at Marina 2
Narratives: International
What: The haunting and beautiful adaptation of Kim Thúy’s Award-winning novel following Ten-year-old Tinh’s family moving to Quebec after fleeing Vietnam in 1975 after the fall of Saigon.
- Sidonie in Japan
Director: Élise Girard (Japan 2023, 95)
When: Fri Apr 26 at 3:30 pm PT at Marina 1
Narratives: International
What: The US Premiere that follows Sidonie as she briefly tours Japan with her by soft-spoken interpreter Kenzo (Tsuyoshi Ihara) while recovering from the grief of losing her family members in a car crash.
- Great Absence
Director: Kei Chika-ura (Japan 2023, 152)
When: Thu, Apr 25 at 8:15 pm PT at Marina Theatre
What: An emotional depiction of fleeting patriarchy, decades-long father/son estrangement and a portrait of dementia that tracks how police ended up raiding elderly Yohji’s home.
- Wakhri
Director: Iram Parveen Bilal (Pakistan 2023, 99)
When: Sun, Apr 28 at 2:00 pm PT at Marina Theatre
What: Taking inspiration from the story of Qandeel Baloch, who was Pakistan’s first social media celebrity who spoke out against the patriarchy until her brother murdered her in an act of “honor” killing, this moving film follows widowed schoolteacher Noor and her queer best friend Guchhi as they resiliently empower themselves as social media celebrities.
There is plenty more than just these at the Film Festival! You can see the full lineup of films and events, and purchase tickets for them at https://sffilm.org/event/2024-sffilm-festival/
