45th SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Festival Passes and Ticket Packages on Sale March 6

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival box office opens on March 6. The Festival will present nearly 200 films during its 15 day run, April 18 - May 2, at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, the Castro Theatre, the Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley) and Landmark's Park Theatre (Menlo Park).

The 45th Festival screens entertaining, eye-catching, intriguing and thought-provoking films making their world or North American premieres, alongside a choice selection of archival rarities and rediscoveries. The Festival program is a heady mix of innovative and entertaining narrative films and outstanding nonfiction films from all points of the compass. Treasures from the archives of the world will give film aficionados a chance to discover masterpieces virtually unknown in this country.

Each year Festival awards celebrate extraordinary actors, directors, individuals and institutions whose work continues to challenge and increase the film-going public’s knowledge and appreciation of world cinema. The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival will present Film Society Awards Night, honoring the recipient of the Akira Kurosawa Award for film directing, Warren Beatty and the recipient of the Peter J. Owens Award acknowledging an actor for distinguished work on April 25 at the Argent Hotel in downtown San Francisco. For information about Film Society Awards Night call 415-561-5046.

Once again, the Festival will offer advance passes and vouchers designed to make attending the Festival easily accessible and enjoyable.

CineVisa, the most comprehensive and versatile 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. By arriving 20 minutes before show time CineVisa holders are guaranteed a seat at every Festival venue.

Special venue-specific packages (CastroPass and ParkPass) provide access to programs exclusively at the Castro Theatre or Landmark’s Park Theatre. Each pass eases ticket purchasing and guarantees seating at the theater.

CineVouchers (purchased in books of 10 or 20) offer a substantial savings per film and are on sale through March 26 only.
For star-struck Festival fans who love movie premieres and hobnobbing with Hollywood’s elite, the GlamPak secures admission to Opening Night (April 18) and Closing Night (May 2).

The new Guinness Midnight Sampler includes admission to all four midnight movies at the Kabuki and a CineVoucher redeemable for two tickets to any regular Festival screening (subject to availability).

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival is presented by the San Francisco Film Society, a nonprofit arts organization whose goal is to lead in expanding the knowledge and appreciation of international film art and its artists by showcasing the most compelling, thought-provoking international films, special tributes and major restorations, and today’s brightest stars.

The 45th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 18–May 2, 2002 at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, the Castro Theatre, the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley and Landmark’s Park Theatre in Menlo Park. Advance ticket packages and Festival passes go on sale beginning March 6. Individual tickets for San Francisco Film Society members will be available beginning March 27, with individual tickets for the general public available starting April 2. To purchase tickets and for ticket information call 925.275.9490 or log on to www.sffs.org. The Main Box Office, located in the atrium of the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres at 1881 Post Street will open for Film Society members on March 27 and for the general public on April 2. There will also be a Satellite Box Office at Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street, second floor, opening on April 2. For up-to-date Festival information, call 415-931-FILM.