San Diego is no different. And though the local film festival industry is in its relative infancy, the various gatherings offer film enthusiasts a great outlet to experience some very talented - and specialized - filmmakers. Independent, Asian, Latino, Jewish, women - whatever the angle, San Diego has a budding niche film festival happening throughout the year.
San Diego Film Festival
Held in the Gaslamp Quarter the San Diego Film Festival (SDFF) is a competitive four-day fest that offers attendees a 360 festival experience. whether it’s a relaxing day of film and a night of parties, or catching a workshop and hitting a conference to learn from the pros, no single day is like another at SDFF. Originating in 2001, the SDFF features more than 100 American and international feature, documentary, short films and music videos; intimate filmmaker and celebrity gatherings; industry panels and the American Screenwriters Association's annual conference; in addition to four nights of San Diego's most glamorous parties.Past SDFF guests have included Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Signs); Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State); James Woods (Be Cool, Riding In Cars With Boys); Colin Hanks (King Kong, Band of Brothers); Joey Lauren Adams (The Break-Up, Chasing Amy); Elizabeth Berkley (Any Given Sunday, Showgirls); James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek, Rules of Attraction); Jennifer Beals (The L Word, Runaway Jury); Kevin Connolly (HBO’s Entourage) and more.
The 2009 San Diego Film Festival takes place Sept. 23–27, 2009. Most of the film screenings take place at the Reading Gaslamp 15, All films are screened at the Gaslamp Theater, 701 Fifth Avenue, 92120. The 2009 Film Schedule is on-line now. Individual tickets can be purchased in person at Borders Books & Music in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Click here for information about the 2009 San Diego Film Festival.
San Diego Asian Film Festival
The San Diego Asian Film Festival is an annual event of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the diverse Pan Asian experience through the media arts.Since 2000, the San Diego Asian Film Festival has premiered hundreds of films and videos from around the world, gaining an international reputation as one of North America's premiere Asian American film festivals for our excellent programs, outreach to the community, and support for independent artists.
Though the emphasis is on Asian American cinema, SDAFF also showcases international films, along with shorts, animation, experimental films and music videos.
The 2009 San Diego Asian Film Festival takes place Oct. 15-29 with over 130 short and feature films from over 12 different countries including the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. SDAFF screenings will take place at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center.
Click her for more information about the 2009 San Diego Asian Film Festival.
San Diego Women's Film Festival
The San Diego Women Film Foundation's mission is to empower, promote and mentor young women and women filmmakers by developing opportunities to expose the art of filmmaking and to tell women's stories to broad and diverse audiences. The independent films highlight positive messages about relevant social issues, including ethnicity, class, culture, race and gender. The Festival has also hosted advanced screenings of films that have gone on to win Academy Awards®.The 2009 San Diego Women's Film Festival dates will be announced shortly
Click here for information about the San Diego Women's Film Festival.
San Diego Latino Film Festival
The San Diego Latino Film Festival was established in 1994 as a student film festival focusing on works by Latinos and/or about the Latino Experience. Since that time, The San Diego Latino Film Festival has developed into one of the larger and well-respected Latino film festivals in the country. Over 120,000 people have attended during the past seven years and 1,000 films/videos from across Latin America and the United States have been screened.The 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival will take place March 11-21 at the Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center.
Click here for information about the 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival.
