Ted Hope, one of the film industry’s most respected and prolific figures, has been named executive director of the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS), effective September 1, 2012. In a surprise move, the veteran film producer and one of the most influential individuals in independent film will embark upon a new chapter in his professional life, leaving New York City, where he produced independent films through his companies Good Machine, This is that corporation and Double Hope Films, t...
The second NY/SF International Children's Film Festival, presented by San Francisco Film Society and New York International Children's Film Festival, wrapped a highly successful three-day celebration of diverse, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining films for kids ages 3 - 18 and their families on Sunday and announced the winners of the best feature film and the best short film, as selected by the audiences who attended screenings at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema and t...
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Graham Leggat, beloved executive director of the San Francisco Film Society, died at his San Francisco home on August 25, 2011, after an 18-month battle with cancer.
He was 51.
"For nearly six exciting and transformative years, Graham Leggat led the San Francisco Film Society with irrepressible determination, dash and design," said Pat McBaine, president of the Film Society's board of directors. "His vision, leadersh...
JULY 5, 2011
I am writing to share with you news of my immediate departure from the San Francisco Film Society, where it has been my unalloyed pleasure and honor to serve as Executive Director since October 2005. As you know, I have relished my leadership role in this dynamic, beloved organization. Unfortunately, health issues make it impossible for me to continue to serve effectively, and I am stepping down to leave the organization in the capable hands of a remarkably devoted staff a...
Conversations Offer Opportunities for Deeper Audience Engagement with Festival Films and Filmmakers The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21–May 5) will present two new Conversations series designed to deepen and enhance the Festival experience, giving filmgoers the opportunity to go a step beyond the post-screening Q&A. An extension of the Film Society’s year-round Film Craft & Film Studies program, Master Classes are an opportunity to engage with special ...
Local French-Speaking Film Student Wins Free Trip to One of the World's Most Prestigious Film Festivals, Courtesy of the French GovernmentThe San Francisco Film Society Colleges & Universities program, in partnership with the Consulate General of France in San Francisco and the French American Cultural Society, today announces the winner of the inaugural From College to Cannes contest. Emile Bokaer, who will receive an MFA in documentary film and video from Stanford University later this spring,...
Dear Friends of the Film Society,
The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to announce that it will produce the Philadelphia Film Festival Spring Preview, Presented by Pennsylvania Hospital, a three-day film event scheduled to take place on Friday, April 9th, Saturday, April 10th and Sunday, April 11th exclusively at the Prince Music Theater. This event will feature three to four films per day, with complementary tickets to all films for Film Society Members a...
Interview with New York Film Festival Program Director Richard Pena By Maria Esteves - October 26, 2009 Dedicated to the loving memory of Florence Perlow Shientag (September 9, 1908 - October 7, 2009)As Lincoln Center celebrates it's 50th Anniversary (October 15, 2009 - January 16, 2010), Richard Pena (RP) program director and chairman of the selection committee at The Film Society of Lincoln Center presents Italian Neorealism and the Birth of Modern Cinema at the Walter Reade Theater, October 3...
Former Film Society Mainstay Returns to Help Lead Vastly Expanded and Enriched Organization As it Enters New Era of Growth
The San Francisco Film Society announces the appointment of Rachel Rosen as director of programming, effective August 10, 2009.
Photo by Jesse Grant / WireImage
"We're thrilled to welcome Rachel back to a leadership role in the organization after her extraordinarily successful tenure in Los Angeles," said Graham Leggat, SFFS executiv...
Former Film Society Mainstay Returns to Help Lead Vastly Expanded and Enriched Organization As it Enters New Era of GrowthThe San Francisco Film Society announces the appointment of Rachel Rosen as director of programming, effective August 10, 2009. "We're thrilled to welcome Rachel back to a leadership role in the organization after her extraordinarily successful tenure in Los Angeles," said Graham Leggat, SFFS executive director. "Her intelligence, flair for innovation and keen eye for exciti...
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is dedicated to shaping the cinematic arts in the Delmarva area with events such as the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival.
Wednesday, October 17---------In this busy theatrical film season, as many as a dozen films premiere every Friday at local multiplexes. Many films that would benefit from a slow build up and the essential qualities of "word of mouth" fail to ignite fire on their intial weekend openings and often disappear without a trace in a scant week or two. In the ferocious environment of theatrical distribution, if one's opening weekend is below expectations, the results can be disasterous. Di...
Wednesday, October 3--------The New York Film Festival is, if nothing else, loyal to its cinema masters. Hell, it practically invented them. For the past 45 years, the Festival has been as influential as any in introducing and sustaining interest in some of the world's most celebrated filmmakers. While some other festivals focus almost exclusively on emerging talents (and they certainly are well represented at this year's NYFF as well), few other film events of this stature continue to pay hom...
The New York Film Festival is, if nothing else, loyal to its cinema masters. Hell, it practically invented them. For the past 45 years, the Festival has been as influential as any in introducing and sustaining interest in some of the world's most celebrated filmmakers. While some other festivals focus almost exclusively on emerging talents (and they certainly are well represented at this year's NYFF as well), few other film events of this stature continue to pay hommage to movie maestros with su...
Wednesday, October 3--------The New York Film Festival is, if nothing else, loyal to its cinema masters. Hell, it practically invented them. For the past 45 years, the Festival has been as influential as any in introducing and sustaining interest in some of the world's most celebrated filmmakers. While some other festivals focus almost exclusively on emerging talents (and they certainly are well represented at this year's NYFF as well), few other film events of this stature continue to pay hom...
Thursday, March 22---New Directors/New Films, the annual showcase of emerging international film talents jointly organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Film Department of the Museum of Modern Art, kicked off last evening with two highly anticipated screenings at the Museum of Modern Art's Roy and Niuta Titus Theater. The film series, celebrating its 36th year, runs from March 21 to April 1, with screening at both the Museum of Modern Art and at the Film Society's flagsh...
Viggo Mortenson in ALAISTRE
Thursday, December 7-----The high profile being brought to contemporary Spanish cinema by the international successes of Pedro Almodóvar’s VOLVER and Guillermo del Toro’s PAN’S LABYRINTH (both screened to audience acclaim at the 2006 New York Film Festival) has only stimulated the interest of international filmgoers to explore deeper into the prolific Spanish cinema scene.
Giving New Yorkers a sampling of the blazing talents currently at work in Spain is the ...
Wednesday, September 6----With little over one week to go before the launch of the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, FEST21.COM's Festivals Editor Sandy Mandelberger sat down with Richard Paradise, the Festival's Co-Director (along with Nevette Previd), to discuss his goals and hopes for this year's inaugural event.
Sandy Mandelberger: There are so many film festivals already on the calendar, and September is a particularly business month...what was your inspiration to launch an e...
The New York Film Festival, the grande dame of New York film events, has announced that its 44th edition will be held at New York's Lincoln Center from September 29 to October 15, 2006.
The Festival, which is presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, continues an extraordinary tradition of showcasing the newest and most important cinematic works by directors from around the world. Over its long history, the Festival has introduced such singular talents as Francois Truffaut, Bernardo Ber...
Richard Peña, Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Chairman of the Selection Committee of the New York Film Festival, is a film curator and scholar whose wide-ranging knowledge of the medium includes a special expertise and interest in Latin American, Asian, and Arab cinemas.Program Director of the Film Society and Festival Selection Committee Chair since 1988, Mr. Peña has brought a visionary zeal and enthusiasm and a remarkable variety of programs both to the Festival a...
SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY NAMES GRAHAM LEGGAT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR San Francisco, CA The San Francisco Film Society announces the appointment of Graham Leggat as Executive Director, effective October 17, 2005.³We¹re delighted that Graham is taking the helm at the Film Society,² said George Gund III, chairman of the Film Society¹s board of directors. ³His admirable breadth and depth of experience at major New York film organizations that have many elements and goals in common with the Film...
CinemaAsia Presents the 1st Austin Asian Film Festival April 14-18On April 14-18, CinemaAsia will host the 1st Austin Asian Film Festival. CinemaAsia is a student organization officially sponsored by the Department of Asian Studies and is being co-sponsored by the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, Austin Film Society and Austin Chronicle. The festival aims at introducing the UT and Austin community to some of Asia's most poignant films, while promoting an understanding of Asian culture. Over 30 films...
