Big Nights At The 50th San Francisco International Film Festival

Festival to Open with Golden Door, Centerpiece to Screen Delirious
and La Vie En Rose to Close Historic 50th International

OPENING NIGHT
Thursday, April 26
The 50th San Francisco International Film Festival will kick off with Golden Door, Emanuele Crialese’s sweeping tale of early 20th century emigration to the United States. A colorful Sicilian family journeys to America at the turn of the last century in this stirring update on the classic immigrant story by the director of Respiro (SFIFF 2003). Delectable French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg leads a brilliant cast in this lavish epic. The Opening Night party following the film will be held in the spectacular San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. Partygoers will indulge in culinary delights from Bay Area food purveyors, enjoy libations from San Francisco favorites and dance the night away.

Opening Night is sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways. Golden Door is presented in association with the Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco. The Opening Night party is presented in part with the generous support of the San Francisco Film Commission.

Screening: 7:00 pm, Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street
Party: 9:30 pm, San Francisco City Hall Rotunda, Polk Street (between McAllister and Grove)
Tickets: Film and party is $85 general/$70 members; VIP ticket is $125

CENTERPIECE
Saturday, May 5
The Festival’s Centerpiece pairs an edgy new film by a celebrated director with a party at one of San Francisco’s hottest nightspots. This year’s Centerpiece will present Tom DiCillo’s Delirious. Indie favorite DiCillo’s new hip and high-spirited urbane comedy provides an insider’s view of life among the “licensed photography professionals” (never say paparazzi) of New York City, whose existence at the bottom of the celebrity food chain is fueled by an unquenchable thirst for ever-elusive sightings of the stars. The film stars Steve Buscemi as Les Galantine, a small time celebrity photographer who meets a homeless kid, played by Michael Pitt, who is drawn to the bright lights of the big city and “hires” him as his unpaid assistant. The Centerpiece party begins to pulse directly following the film at Suite one8one. Partygoers can get into the scene at Suite one8one’s lounge and dance floor, or chill in the VIP Ultra Lounge and enjoy the view. There is plenty of room for indulging in cocktails and tasty bites as guests groove and lounge in this stylish venue.

Centerpiece is sponsored by the Bay Area Women in Film & Television and the Women in Film/General Motors Alliance. General Motors is the National Presenting sponsor of Women in Film. The WIF/GM Alliance was created to support women in the entertainment industry and to expand the programs of Women in Film chapters across the country. The Centerpiece party venue is sponsored by One Industry Group.

Screening: 7:00 pm, Sundance Cinemas Kabuki, 1881 Post Street at Fillmore
Party: 9:30 pm, Suite one8one, 181 Eddy Street
Tickets: Film and party is $25 general/$20 members; VIP ticket is $50 general/$45 members

CLOSING NIGHT
Thursday, May 10
On Closing Night the Festival bids adieu to 15 days of brilliant films, exceptional filmmakers and memorable live events with Olivier Dahan’s La Vie en Rose. The formidable talent and indomitable spirit of legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf is celebrated in this epic melodrama, featuring a stunning performance by Marion Cotillard as the “little sparrow” who lived, loved and sang with no regrets. Following the film, the streets of Paris collide with San Francisco warehouse minimalism at Mezzanine at the Festival’s wrap party. Partygoers will indulge in treats from the crème de la crème of Bay Area restaurants, imbibe drinks à go go, mix with artistes extraordinaires and regrette rien on the dance floor.

Closing Night is sponsored by bebe and 7x7 Magazine.

Screening: 7:00 pm, Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street
Party: 10:00 pm, Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street (Fifth/Sixth)
Tickets: Film only tickets are $20 general/$15 members; film and party is $75 general/$60 members; VIP ticket is $125.