While this is the first major children’s film festival to be presented in San Francisco and the first for the Film Society, it is anything but uncharted territory for our new program partner, the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Since its launch in 1997, NYICFF has become the largest festival for children and teens in North America, with a mission to promote intelligent, passionate and compelling cinematic works to young audiences. That mission is very much in sync with the Film Society’s own programming philosophy, so when NYICFF Festival Director Eric Beckman approached SFFS Director of Programming Rachel Rosen with the idea of bringing the festival to San Francisco, it felt like a natural fit. “As a former San Francisco resident, I’m thrilled to be creating a bicoastal footprint with the launch of NY/SF ICFF,” says Beckman. “SFFS is a perfect partner for us, not just because of their prestige, expertise and audience but also because they absolutely share our vision of more provocative, eye-opening film for young people.”