SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY AND IRONWEED FILM CLUB PRESENT IAN INABA’S AMERICAN BLACKOUT AT SF360 SAN FRANCISCO MOVIE NIGHT

Film Fans Across the Bay Area Invited to Host House Parties to Watch Powerful Prize-Winning Documentary about Voter Disenfranchisement

August 22, 2006

The San Francisco Film Society and Ironweed Film Club kick off the run-up to the landmark 50th San Francisco International Film Festival by inviting Bay Area film lovers to host the second SF360 San Francisco Movie Night on Wednesday, September 27. The compelling documentary American Blackout (SFIFF 2006) will screen at house parties and community venues citywide followed by a wrap party at 10:00 pm at Tosca Café, 242 Columbus Avenue.

“The Film Society is excited to continue its citywide SF360 new-media explorations with Ironweed Film Club and American Blackout,” said SFFS Executive Director Graham Leggat. “On September 27 the Bay Area will once again be an expanded cinema, with disparate pockets of viewers watching the same film at the same time, connected not by physical location but by digital technology and a driving interest in social change.”

 “Ironweed always aims to achieve two goals: to help create new audiences for independent films and to build local community.  SF360 San Francisco Movie Night provides a unique opportunity for Bay Area residents to get together with their friends, watch a great film, and engage in lively, relevant discussion,” said Ironweed founder Adam Werbach. “Directed by a Bay Area filmmaker, American Blackout is a challenging and controversial film that encourages viewers to question the direction our democracy is heading—what better film to bring to San Francisco neighborhoods?”

American Blackout, directed by Ian Inaba and produced by Guerrilla News Network, chronicles the troubling, recurring and systemic patterns of disenfranchisement of African American voters in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, and includes issues still current in 2006 and for 2008. Representative Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), the film’s lead subject, and Inaba participated in a lively and provocative Q&A following a screening at SFIFF 49. Winner of the Documentary Special Jury Prize at Sundance ‘06, the film also features interviews with Representative John Lewis (D-GA), Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH).

“American Blackout talks to people of all ages and delivers a simple message: Every American deserves and should expect to have their vote counted,” said Inaba.

Full details and instructions for hosting a SF360 San Francisco Movie Night are available at ironweedfilms.com.

SF360 San Francisco Movie night is part of the SF360 series of initiatives launched by the San Francisco Film Society in early 2006, designed to strengthen and promote the San Francisco film and media scene in all its various and exciting forms. In addition to SF360 San Francisco Movie Night, initiatives include SF360.org, the daily online magazine covering the Bay Area media scene,  SF360 live panels and discussions, and SF360 Film/Club.

In April 2007, the SF International Film Festival will mark its place in history as the first film festival in the Americas to celebrate its 50th anniversary. For half a century, SFIFF has presented the best in world cinema. SFIFF 50 will honor that tradition while energetically embracing new works, new platforms and new audiences.

The San Francisco Film Society, presenter of the 50th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 26 – May 10, 2007), is a nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to celebrating international film and the moving image.

Ironweed is a socially responsible, San Francisco-based subscription film club that champions independent movies by fearless filmmakers.