World Class Filmmaker's Auspicious Address to Headline SFIFF56 Live & Onstage Program Featuring an Array of Once-in-a-Lifetime Events

The San Francisco Film Society announced today that Steven Soderbergh, one of the world's most celebrated figures in contemporary filmmaking, will deliver the tenth annual State of Cinema Address at the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 25 - May 9) at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas on Saturday, April 27 at 1:00 pm. Soderbergh, a visionary in the field of motion picture production, recently announced his intention to retire from filmmaking, a provocative decision which will provide a compelling framework for this live address. The State of Cinema will headline the Festival's Live & Onstage program of unique one-time-only events featuring elements of live music, multimedia presentations and audience participation. See below for full program details.  

On the 10th anniversary of SFIFF's annual State of Cinema Address, we are excited to present iconoclast and (currently designated) filmmaker Steven Soderbergh as he discusses the intersecting worlds of contemporary cinema, culture and society. Citing the "tyranny of narrative" in feature filmmaking, Soderbergh recently surprised the worldwide film community by asserting that he is leaving film production in order to devote himself full time to other art forms. This declaration from the director of over 25 films -- who came into the public eye with the groundbreaking sex, lies, and videotape and continuously enthralled and entertained us with (among so many others) Schizopolis, Out of Sight, The Limey, Erin Brockovich, Contagion, Haywire, Magic Mike and the highly anticipated biopic of Liberace and his lover Scott Thorson, Behind the Candelabra -- sets the backdrop for Soderbergh's presentation. In addition to his innovative approach to film aesthetics, Soderbergh has also been at the forefront in changes in production, distribution and exhibition technologies. His collaboration with HDNet in developing the "day-and-date" release strategy with his terrific film Bubble of simultaneous theatrical and broadcast release followed quickly by DVD sales directly challenged the traditional film distribution model, boldly pulling film exhibition into the digital age. Always riveting and defying expectation, Soderbergh doubtlessly will clarify and challenge one's current views on where cinema is going and what it should be.

"Steven Soderbergh has been a one-man force for change in the film business, never neglecting the art, entertainment or process, pushing the industry forever forward," said Ted Hope, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society. "His keen awareness of the current moment in the development of this art form makes him particularly well suited to deliver the Festival's State of Cinema Address, especially considering his apparent intention to retire from filmmaking. Who better to point the way forward than this artist whose career has embodied the spirit of independence from the very beginning? I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear what he has to say."

Steven Soderbergh's 27th film, the thriller Side Effects, was released in February 2013. He earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for his directorial debut, sex, lies, and videotape, and the Academy Award in 2000 for directing Traffic, the same year he was nominated for Erin Brockovich. Among his other credits are the films The Girlfriend Experience, The Informant, Che, the Ocean's trilogy, The Good German, And Everything is Going Fine, Solaris, Full Frontal, Gray's Anatomy, The Underneath, King of the Hill and Kafka. In 2009, he created and directed the play Tot Mom for the Sydney Theatre Company. While in Sydney he also directed the film The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg. His film Behind the Candelabra will air in May of this year.

Previous State of Cinema speakers have been author Jonathan Lethem, film producer Christine Vachon, film editor Walter Murch, photographer Mary Ellen Mark, Wired publisher Kevin Kelly, actress Tilda Swinton, writer/director Brad Bird, cultural commentator B. Ruby Rich and longtime editor of the influential French film magazine Positif Michel Ciment.

Tickets $20 for SFFS members, $25 for the general public. Box office opens March 13 for SFFS members and March 15 for the general public, online at sffs.org.

For more information visit sffs.org/Exhibition/SF-International-Film-Festival.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.

SFIFF56 LIVE & ONSTAGE PROGRAMS
Along with the State of Cinema Address, four other exciting and innovative programs round out the Live & Onstage program at SFIFF56. Aside from the previously-announced Waxworks with Mike Patton, Scott Amendola, Matthias Bossi and William Winant, tickets for these events go on sale upon the full SFIFF program announcement on April 2.

"Steven Soderbergh is the perfect centerpiece to our Live and Onstage section of programming," said Film Society Programmer Sean Uyehara. "Unpredictable and fun, these shows often produce the most lasting memories at the Festival. From the comic insights of Derek Waters to the musical genius of Mike Patton and crew or from the cinephiliac acuity of Rick Prelinger to the keen obsessions of our 'Show or Tell' participants, this year's Live and Onstage selection promises to surprise and delight our audiences yet again."

Show or Tell
Friday April 26, 9:15 pm, New People Cinema
Bay Area artists and visiting filmmakers of SFIFF present their passions, experiences, relationships and obsessions with the moving image. This will be a true variety show with music, an illustrated lecture, surprises and a behind-the-scenes story or two. The show will include musician/cinephile Mark Eitzel (American Music Club), writer/editor/designer Eli Horowitz (former McSweeney's managing editor), artist/filmmaker Lucy Raven (RP31, China Town) and musician/activist Boots Riley (The Coup) and others to be announced.

Inside the Drunken Mind of Derek Waters
Saturday April 27, 9:15 pm, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
Friend of the Festival, writer-producer-actor-comedian, hyphenate Derek Waters (A Drunken Evening with Derek Waters SFIFF 2010, Only the Young SFIFF 2012) will be on stage presenting a program whose origins are best described as welling from deep inside Waters' mind. Waters will share his personal discoveries of media from around the world, plus we get a peek at his new Drunk History television show for Comedy Central.

No More Road Trips?
Sunday May 5, 4:30 pm, Castro Theatre
Founder of the Prelinger Archives, Rick Prelinger brings us No More Road Trips?, a dream ride through 20th-century America made entirely from home movies that asks whether we've reached the end of the open road. The soundtrack for this fully participatory film is created by audiences at each screening.

Waxworks with Mike Patton, Scott Amendola, Matthias Bossi and William Winant
Tuesday May 7, 8:30 pm, Castro Theatre
As has become a tradition at SFIFF, we again unite vital contemporary musicians with classic silent film. Mike Patton and three percussionists -- Scott Amendola, Matthias Bossi and William Winant -- team to create an original score for the classic German expressionist film Waxworks (1924) that they will present in a live world premiere. For more information visit sffs.org.

56th San Francisco International Film Festival

The 56th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 25-May 9 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, the Castro Theatre and New People Cinema in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. Held each spring for 15 days, the International is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country's most beautiful cities, featuring 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards and $70,000 in cash prizes, upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests and diverse and engaged audiences with more than 70,000 in attendance.

Film Society Awards Night, SFIFF's fundraising gala honoring the masters of world cinema, will take place Tuesday May 7, 6:00 pm at Bimbo's 365 Club.

San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services. SFFS is headed by Executive Director Ted Hope with the programmatic leadership of Director of Programming Rachel Rosen, Director of Filmmaker360 Michele Turnure-Salleo and Director of Education Joanne Parsont.

The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society's filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, professional development classes, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.

The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.

For more information visit sffs.org