The 65th annual San Francisco International Film Festival is BACK! Today SFFILM announced its full lineup for 2022; it’s officially returning to theaters in person since pre-COVID. (What was life like before pre-COVID, tbh?) This year’s list features more than 130 films from 56 countries. Another exciting fact: 56% of the films are helmed by female or non-binary filmmakers, and 52% are directed by BIPOC filmmakers. 

SFFILM Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the Americas. This year’s 11-day run will be taking place all around San Francisco and the East Bay. Catch a show at The Castro Theatre, the Vogue Theatre, the Roxie Theater, the Vicotria Theatre, and BAMPFA in Berkely. 

A few of this year’s highlights include: 

Persistence of Vision Award: Trinh T. Minh-ha
Friday, April 29 @ 7 PM – BAMPFA

Filmmaker, writer, composer, and Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School at the University of California, Berkeley, Trinh T. Minh-ha, will be diving into a fascinating conversation with Rizvana Bradley, Assistant Professor of Film and Media at UC Berkeley. This will take place before the Minh-ha’s North American premiere of their film, What About China? 

A Tribute to Jenny Slate 
Friday, April 22 @ 7:30 PM – Castro 

Before screening Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, join the audience in a conversation with actor, voice performer, and comedian Jenny Slate. 

A Tribute to Michelle Yeoh: In Conversation with Sandra Oh
Friday, April 29 @ 6 PM – Castro 

THE icon Michelle Yeoh will be celebrated by none other than critically acclaimed actor Sandra Oh following a special screening of Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 35mm. 

Shifting Landscapes: The State of Cinema
Wednesday, April 27 @ 6:30 PM – Virtual

Be a fly on the wall (or on your computer screen) and listen in on industry professionals and thought leaders as they discuss the state of cinema today and tomorrow. Relevant at a time where the last few years proved nothing will be the same and things can change at any given moment. 

HOMEBASE: A Spotlight on Bay Area Talent 
Monday, April 25 @ 4 PM – Virtual

Did you think we wouldn’t feature Bay Area talent on a Bay Area-based website? Stay comfy at home while hearing from our local filmmakers and film organization leaders as they discuss their work, the Bay Area film scene, and much more. 

SFFILM starts on April 21 until May 1, 2022. Grab your tickets at sffilm.org.