IndieFest 2014 Announced!
INDIEFEST 2014 PROGRAM: CLICK HERE
THE PRESS RELEASE:
SWEET 16!
Celebrating the 16th SF Independent Film Festival
February 6-20, 2014
Brava Theatre, Roxie Theatre, New Parkway Theatre
Now in its 16th yearThe San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) has come of age to become the Bay Area’s premier showcase for some of the finest independent films and digital programs. From February 6-20 at the Roxie and Brava Theaters in San Francisco and at Oakland’s New Parkway Theater, IndieFest celebrates its Sweet 16 with cutting edge independent films, Q and As with visiting filmmakers of comedies, horror flicks, love stories, documentaries and short films, all while having a good time at one of the many IndieFest parties.
Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night Film
The festival launches its 2 weeks of film programs on Thursday, February 6th at 7PM at the Brava Theater (2781 24th Street) in San Francisco with director Ari Foleman’s THE CONGRESS, based on Stanislaw Lem’s classic sci-fi novel. This futuristic blend of animation and live action stars Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel, Jon Hamm and Paul Giamatti. Following the film, San Diego’s Vokab Company and local Bay Area group Gene Washington and the Ironsides will perform live for festival attendees at the Brava Theater.
SF IndieFest is pleased present Matt Wolf’s latest film TEENAGE as its Centerpiece film on Sunday, February 9th at 7PM at the Roxie Theater. Based on the book by Jon Savage and narrated by actors Jena Malone, Ben Whishaw, Julia Hummer and Jessie Usher, TEENAGE looks at the birth of the iconic figure of the teenager using archival material, Super 8 recreations and diaries of actual mid-century teenagers, resulting in an unconventional pop historical film.
After two weeks and 78 films, SF IndieFest concludes its Sweet 16 with a screening of the Cannes Film Festival award-winning film BLUE RUIN on Sunday, February 16th at 7PM at the Roxie Theater. Director Jeremy Saulnier (SF IndieFest Alum, MURDER PARTY) is expected to be on hand for his dark comedy about revenge.
Return of the Woodcock Jury Prize
The festival announces the return of the Woodcock Jury prize. A total of $2500 will be awarded to the Best Feature Documentary ($1,000), Feature Narrative ($1,000) and Short Film ($500) in the festival. Funded by fan of the festival Bill Woodcock, the prizes are awarded in each category by the jury of pass holders.
Focus on Animated Films
In addition to the Opening Night Film THE CONGRESS, SF IndieFest features some of the best independent animation films from around the globe. Canadian co-directors Shayne Ehman and Seth Scriver will be in attendance for a screening of their Toronto International Film Festival award winning, psychedelic animated road movie ASPHALT WATCHES; Bill Plympton’s new feature CHEATIN‘ offers a unique look at romance and jealousy; and AN ANIMATED WORLD, a shorts program of animated films featuring a wide range of styles and innovated new ideas, rounds out the diverse animated programming.
Local Flavor
Taping into the vast array of Bay Area filmmakers, SF IndieFest presents two local films. REMEMBER YOU’RE SPECIAL follows an aspiring rapper in Oakland and his best friend; a PhD student as they face adulthood with student debt, complicated relationships, and adjusted ambitions. Featuring a cast and crew of all local, first time filmmakers, REMEMBER YOU’RE SPECIAL make its World Premiere at the festival. Additionally, the latest short film from San Francisco based filmmaker Vincent Gargiulo, DELUTH IS HORRIBLE, a series of vignettes chronicling a few lonely people in Duluth, Minnesota, searching for a connection in a bleak winter,will also be making its World Premier.
World Class Independent Cinema
Year after year, SF IndieFest premiers some of the best independent foreign cinema from around the globe and the 2014 edition is no exception. This years selection features: the lively Chinese romantic comedy set in China during the 60’s and 70’s, THE LOVE SONGS FROM TIEDAN; Chad’s Foreign Language Oscar Entry GRIGRIS, an uplifting story of young man with dreams of becoming a dancer; and the Mexican film REZETA, about a carefree, young woman who’s lifestyle changes when she meets a young man cleaning her trailer during a commercial shoot.
Additional Highlights
Other can’t miss films in this year’s SF IndieFest include: DOOMSDAYS, a self-proclaimed “pre-apocalyptic comedy,” with director Eddie Mullens expected to be in attendance; Joe Begos debut feature ALMOST HUMAN, about a man who returns to wreak havoc upon a small town; the West Coast Premiere of HANK: 5 YEARS FROM THE BRINK, the latest from Academy Award winning director Joe Berlinger, a riveting portrait of former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson; Kestrin Pantera’s LETS RUIN IT WITH BABIES, a exploration of relationships when they reach ‘That Point’; two adolescent brothers confront changing relationships, nature and their own mortality in Daniel Patrick Carbone’s HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES; and THE WAIT, from writer/director M. Blash, starring Jena Malone and Chloë Sevigny as two sisters who contemplate their mother’s resurrection following a mysterious phone call.
What’s a Sweet 16 Without Some Parties!
The Opening Night party on Thursday, February 6th is the first of the many parties and festivities for SF IndieFest’s Sweet 16. The Roller Disco Party on Friday, February 7th at the Women’s Building will allow festival attendees the chance to dance in their Roller Skates; the return of the Bad Art Gallery on Saturday, February 8th at the 518 Gallery (518 Valencia) with the new film-themed Pub Quiz hosted by the Roxie Theater’s Mike Keegan; the now annual Anti Valentine’s Day 80’s Power Ballad Sing A Long on Valentines Day, Friday February 14th at the Roxie Theater; and the 11th Annual Big Lebowski Party on Saturday, February 15th at the Roxie Theater with a special screening of the Coen Brother’s classic, THE BIG LEBOWSKI.
General Information about SF IndieFest
Regular film tickets and The Big Lebowski Party are $12. The Opening Night Film+Party is $20. Opening Night Party only is $10. Super Bowl: Men in Tights and the Roller Disco Party are $10. Festival passes are $180 for a full all access pass; the same pass is $25 for those under 21. The 10-Film Discount Pack is $100 and a 5-Film Discount Pack is $55 (discount pack tickets can not be used for Opening Night). The IndiePass good for all screenings and parties at the Film Festival is $180.The same all access pass is only $25 for those under 21. The New Parkway Pass is $60. Passholders jump to the front of the line at all screenings and parties!Advance tickets are available now at sfindie.com and 415-552-5580. Same day tickets are only available at the venue. The box office opens 30 minutes before the first show of the day. For all screenings please arrive at least 15 minutes before show time to assure seating.
