March 29, 2005

48th San Francisco International Film Festival; Festival Passes and Tickets on Sale

The 48th San Francisco International Film Festival box office opens to members on Tuesday, March 29 and to the general public on Tuesday, April 5. The Festival will present 185 films during its 15-day run, April 21-May 5, at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, the Castro Theatre, the Palace of Fine Arts, Kanbar Hall at the Jewish Community Center, the Pacific Film Archive Theater in Berkeley and Landmark's Aquarius Theater in Palo Alto, including numerous premieres of outstanding narrative features and exceptional nonfiction works, as well as treasures from film archives of the world.

Each year the Festival celebrates extraordinary actors, directors, individuals and institutions whose work furthers the film-going public's acquaintance with world cinema. The 48th San Francisco International Film Festival will present the Film Society Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing to Taylor Hackford, the Peter J. Owens Award to Joan Allen and the Kanbar Award to Paul Haggis at Film Society Awards Night. This magical fundraising evening, featuring tributes from friends and peers, takes place on Thursday, April 28, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco. For Film Society Awards Night information and tickets, call 415 551.5190.

Regular admission tickets are $12 to the general public and $10 to San Francisco Film Society members. Tickets are $10.50 for the persons with disabilities, seniors and students. For weekday matinees, Monday through Friday, up to and including 5pm tickets are $7.50. Special admission prices apply for Big Nights and Special Presentations.

CineVisa ($700 general/$640 members), the most comprehensive and versatile ticket option, offers access to all Festival screenings (excluding Opening and Closing Night). The flexibility of a fully transferable CineVisa ensures no waiting in lines or wondering about ticket availability. Three special venue-specific packages: Castro Pass ($85 general/$70 members), Palace Pass ($50 general/$35 members) and Aquarius Pass ($55 general/$45 members) provide access to programs exclusively at the Castro Theatre, the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco or Landmark's Aquarius Theatre in downtown Palo Alto.

The new Stella Artois Midnight Movies Pass ($45 general/$35 members) includes admission to all four midnight movies at the Kabuki Theatres and access to the Stella Artois Lounge where the Festival will provide complimentary Stella Artois beverages 30 minutes prior to each midnight screening. Must be 21 years or older to enter the Stella Artois Lounge.

SNEAK Peaks Pass ($35 general/$27 members) is valid for admission to all three films at the Kabuki Theatres at 11am on the following dates: April 22, 23 and 30. All three films in the program are a secret — the audiences won't know what they are getting into until the lights dim. The films are some of the most sought-after releases of the coming year.

GlamPak ($170 general/$150 members) includes one ticket to the Opening Night film, THE AX and party, one ticket to the Closing Night film, THE DYING GAUL and party and one ticket to the ZOOM! film, NOVEMBER and party. All three parties are reserved for persons 21 years and older.

GlamPak VIP ($250 general/$225 members) includes one preferred seating ticket at each of the Opening, Closing and ZOOM! films and one ticket for entrance to the VIP Celebrity Lounge at each party. All three parties are reserved for persons 21 years and older.

CineVouchers ($100 general/$80 members) offer a ten-pack of tickets for ten films at a discounted price. These vouchers are redeemable for any regular film program.

Group Sales For information please call the Film Society Marketing Department at 415.561.5005.

The 48th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 21—May 5, 2005 at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, the Home of the Festival, the Castro Theatre, the Palace of Fine Arts, Kanbar Hall at the Jewish Community Center and the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco; the Pacific Film Archive Theater in Berkeley; and Landmark's Aquarius Theatre in Palo Alto. Tickets for San Francisco Film Society members will be available on March 29 and for the general public on April 5. To purchase tickets and for ticket information log on to www.sffs.org, call 925.866.9559 or visit the Main Ticket Outlet, located in the atrium of the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, 1881 Post Street or the Satellite Ticket Outlet at the Virgin Megastore, 2 Stockton Street. For up-to-date Festival information log on to www.sffs.org or call 415.561.5000.

The 48th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21—May 5, 2005) is presented by the San Francisco Film Society, a nonprofit arts and educational organization dedicated to celebrating international film and the moving image.