EVENTS/
BIG NIGHTS
Special Gala Screenings and Events
Film
La Mission
7:00 pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street (near Market)
Kick off the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival with a West Coast premiere screening, special guests and a festive celebration with live entertainment, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a complimentary gift bag. Stars Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Talisa Soto-Bratt and director Peter Bratt in person. Peter Bratt’s powerful and moving film is an ardent love letter to the vibrancy and daily struggles that take place in the streets of San Francisco’s Mission District. Full of affection for its characters, La Mission is a redemptive story of one man’s struggle to unlearn a lifetime of destructive habits.
Party
9:30 pm
Bruno’s/El Capitan Theatre
Celebrate Opening Night Mission style at two historic venues, the iconic Bruno’s and an adjoining outdoor setting on the site of the former El Capitan theater, with vintage lowriders from the film. Treat yourself to cool cocktails and international culinary delights while dancing to the Latin beats of salsa and rumba. You must be 21+ to attend the party.
Sponsored by
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The Midnight Awards honor a dynamic young American actor and actress who have made outstanding contributions to independent and Hollywood cinema and who bring striking intelligence, exemplary talent and extraordinary depth of character to their roles. The third annual Midnight Awards go to Evan Rachel Wood and Elijah Wood.
This late-night cocktail reception takes the shape of a late-night talk show, featuring host Beth Lisick’s interview with the two young actors, film clips of their work and presentation of their awards. It is a unique opportunity to interact with the actors in an intimate setting. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, accompanied by live music. You must be 21+ to attend.
Special thanks to Miracle Pictures.
Sponsored by
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6:00 pm VIP cocktail reception with celebrity guests
7:00 pm Dinner and awards program
Westin St. Francis Hotel, Grand Ballroom
Individuals $500/$1,000/$1,500; Tables: $5,000/$10,000/$15,000/$25,000
Film Society Awards Night is one of San Francisco’s most highly anticipated black-tie gala events, benefitting the Film Society’s Youth Education Program. This lively and memorable evening honors this year’s directing, acting and screenwriting award recipients with peer tributes and career highlights. The gala is the central evening of the 52nd San Francisco International Film Festival.
2009 Recipients
Francis Ford Coppola
Recipient of the Founder’s Directing Award, given in memory of Irving M. Levin.
Robert Redford
Recipient of the Peter J. Owens Award, made possible by a grant from the Peter J. Owens Trust at The San Francisco Foundation
James Toback
Recipient of the Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting
The 2009 Film Society Awards Night gala is chaired by Penelope Wong and Tim Kochis.
For Awards Night table and ticket information, call Julia Rosof at 415-561-5005.
The Peter J. Owens Award is made possible by a grant from the Peter J. Owens Trust at the San Francisco Foundation. Gary Shapiro and Scott Owens, trustees.
Venue Sponsors
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This not-to-be-missed date night features the West Coast premiere of a lively, romantic comedy, followed by a chic lounge party at the CLIFT hotel, one of San Francisco’s hottest nightspots. Be a part of one of the Festival’s sexiest events, with star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and director Marc Webb in person.
Film
500 Days of Summer
7:30 pm Sundance
Kabuki Cinemas
1881 Post Street (at Fillmore)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel sizzle in this indie romantic comedy that traces the course of an office romance in a nonlinear narrative spurred on by a rocking soundtrack.
Party
9:30 pm–1:00 am
CLIFT
495 Geary Street (at Taylor)
Party in style with San Francisco’s in-crowd in the CLIFT’s chic Rita and Ava rooms, featuring billowing white velvet curtains, etched Venetian mirrors and hip decor. Indulge in cool cocktails and delectable hors d’oeuvres, grooving and lounging. No-host valet parking available. You must be 21+ to attend the party.
Sponsored by
Film
Unmade Beds
7:00 pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street (near Market)
The youthful, sensuous and beautifully assured second feature from Argentine filmmaker Alexis Dos Santos (Glue) is a lyrical tale of two solitary expats, wayward young souls crossing paths in the cosmopolitan art-rock milieu of a sprawling East London squat.
Party
9:30 pm
Mezzanine
Be seen with the coolest crowd at Closing Night of the Festival at Mezzanine. Dance to hipster beats inspired by Unmade Beds. Spoil yourself with fine food and excellent drinks. You must be 21+ to attend the party.