It’s that time again, the San Diego Film Festival will be back in town from September 30 to October 4. Featuring five days of screenings, panels and parties, the annual affair will take place in two locations: Reading Cinemas in the Gaslamp Quarter and the ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla.
With over 100 films, attendees will enjoy American and international features, documentaries and short films. Of the 2,000 submissions from 65 countries, these handpicked selections were chosen as being the best in both big, studio production flicks and independent films.
This year’s opening film takes place on September 30 with a showing of Septembers of Shiraz (US premiere) and an after party at the Andaz hotel presented by Harrah’s Resort So Cal. The movie stars Adrien Brody and Salma Hayek in an adaptation of Dalia Sofer’s debut novel about a secular Jewish family caught up in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Among the top premieres debuting in SD is Diablo (October 2), which will be its world opening along with Go With Me’s North American debut on October 3. Meadowland and Ashby will both have their west coast premiere and Youth will be hitting our screens directly from Cannes.
Along with the plethora of movies being screened each day, each evening also has various activities going on. On Thursday, Variety’s Night of the Stars Tribute and Party goes from 7-10 p.m. and will include Hollywood celebs, a red carpet and an awards ceremony. The party will honor actors Adrien Brody, Geena Davis, Brit Marling and John Boyega.
The following evening, the Reframed party will take place at the Quartyard while the Filmmaker Awards show will be at the Hard Rock Hotel. Finally, Culinary Cinema and Fast Forward is being held on October 4 with two different films and tasting options.
Passes and tickets can be purchased online and range from $15 for single screenings to VIP packages at $545 which includes access to all films, panels and workshops; entry into the Variety after party; the Filmmaker Awards Ceremony & Reception; priority seating and plenty of other perks.
