SF IndieFest 2014 First Announcements!
SWEET 16!
Celebrating the 16th SF Independent Film Festival
February 6-20, 2014
Brava Theatre, Roxie Theatre, New Parkway Theatre
It is SF IndieFest’s SWEET 16 this year! The San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) has become the Bay Area’s premier showcase for some of the finest independent films and digital programs. Celebrating its 16th year, SF IndieFest takes place February 6-20 at the Roxie Theatre and Brava Theatre in San Francisco and Oakland’s New Parkway Theatre. Catch some of the most cutting edge indie films, meet some top-notch filmmakers and sample some great comedies, horror flicks, love stories, documentaries and short films, all while having a good time at one of the many after-parties celebrating the festival’s SWEET 16! The festival is also pleased to announce 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.
Before the Festival: Join SF IndieFest on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2nd for the annual SUPER BOWL: MEN IN TIGHTS football/comedy show. Watch the game at the Roxie Theater while some local comedians provide running commentary before you gear up for the festival, which kicks off Thursday, February 6th at the Brava Theater.
The complete program will be announced at the IndieFest Press Conference on January 8. Check back here then for more information and tickets.
Preview of IndieFest 2014
This year’s festival will feature several local and regional premieres, including:
- Ari Folman’s THE CONGRESS, which follows an aging actress – Robin Wright, playing a version of herself in one of the year’s bravest performances – as she accepts one last job. The consequences of her decision will affect her in ways she didn’t consider. A heady blend of live action and animation from the director of WALTZING WITH BASHIR.
- The documentary by Joe Berliner, HANK: 5 YEARS FROM THE BRINK, tells the story of howHank Paulson, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, persuaded sign offs on nearly $1 trillion in bailouts.
- TEENAGE, based on a groundbreaking book by the punk author Jon Savage and narrated by actors Jena Malone, Ben Whishaw, Julia Hummer and Jessie Usher. This compelling collage from director Matt Wolf (WILD COMBINATION: A PORTRAIT OF ARTHUR RUSSELL) is crafted from archival material, Super-8 recreations and diaries of actual mid-century teenagers, all set to a post-punk contemporary soundtrack. The result is an unconventional pop historical film about the birth of the iconic, eternally cool figure of the teenager.
- Zack Parker’s PROXY begins when a pregnant Esther Woodhouse is brutally attacked. Esther finds consolation in a support group, where she starts to morbidly fixate on a fellow griever. A descent into pitch-black psychosexual terrain, co-starring IndieFest fave Joe Swanberg.
- ASPHALT WATCHES, a psychedelic animated road movie and TIFF prizewinner from underground comix darlings Seth Scriver and Shayne Ehman.
- Fernando Frias’ REZETA follows the life of a carefree 21 year old model. Rezeta travels the world through modeling, but her partying lifestyle changes when she forms a relationship with a man named Alex in Mexico City. Rezeta must either commit and stay with Alex, or continue her whimsical, jet-setting life.
- KARAOKE GIRL by Visra Vichit-Vadakan is about a young country girl working at a bar in Bangkok as an escort to support her family in rural Thailand.
- Eddie Mullins’ film DOOMSDAYS follows the misadventures of Dirty Fred (IndieFest staple Justin Rice) and Bruho (Leo Fitzpatrick of KIDS), a pair of freewheeling squatters with a taste for unoccupied vacation homes in the Catskills. Their commitment to the lifestyle is challenged, however, when a runaway teen and an aimless young woman join their ranks.
- SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY by Drew Tobia concerns an odd pregnant girl disrupting the lives of her campy recovering alcoholic mother and vulgar lesbian sister during a nervous breakdown. Winner of the “Most Effectively Offensive Film” Award at the 2013 Boston Underground Film Festival.
- Joanna Arnow’s film I HATE MYSELF : ) documents her yearlong relationship with racially charged poet-provocateur James Kepple.
Sweet 16!
What’s a Sweet 16 Without Some Parties!
The festival officially starts Thursday, February 6th, with a fun opening night film followed by an equally fun after party with live bands, and the events don’t stop until Feb 20. The festival presents their annual Roller Disco Costume Party on Friday, February 7 and the 11th annual Big Lebowski Party returns Saturday February 15.
On St. Valentines Day, February 14th, the festival presents the Anti-Valentines Day 80s Power Ballad Sing-A-Long. Spandex, make up, teased hair, 80s hair metal never looked and sounded more fabulous. Plus, the Mission B.A.G. (Bad Art Gallery) at 518 Valencia Gallery returns on, Saturday, February 8th.
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). A pass to all shows at the New Parkway is $60. Full festival information, complete with additional ticket information, trailers and more details will be available at sfindie.com after January 8, 2014.
