SFUFF 2018 Program Guide
The City That Holds Us
November 11, 2018
Protest and Celebration in Our Shared Spaces
This program explores public spaces and how notions of “public” change with time and across cultures. It will also examine the implications of private entities increasing their role in providing and regulating open spaces.
November 12, 2018
All people who define themselves as New Yorkers, Tel-Avivians or Montréalais have some things in common with others who hold the same self-definition. But that sense of belonging does not necessarily compromise other affinities. How do some cities enable a multitude of identities and coexistence? The short films in this program explore identity in the city, including the unique approach of the documentary short film “#6261” on strangers-neighbors who share a relationship with this number in Montreal, and “Life-Sized City — Episode 5:Tel-Aviv”, exploring a city in conflict through grassroots urban initiatives that transcend religious, political and class boundaries.
After the film screening, the five SFUFF program producers share personal stories from their life in cities, illustrating how the scale and diversity of a city affords each of us the space to express our multitude of identities.
November 13, 2018
Infrastructure, whether in the form of transit, highways, or public housing, has been used to divide and degrade communities, and yet there are stories of resistance and people fighting to thrive anyway. And in recent years, local governments are learning from past mistakes as they embark on initiatives to weave a more unified city through urban design. Join us for screening of films selected from international and local submissions, including the Swiss filmmaker Zoel Aeschbacher’s narrative short “Bonobo” and local filmmaker Serghino Roosblad‘s documentary film about Oakland’s MacArthur Maze, followed by a lively panel discussion.
November 14, 2018
Rules in Reality: Understanding the Human Story in California’s Housing Crisis
Jonathan Pacheco Bell, a zoning enforcement planner in Los Angeles County, tells the story of the Medina Family from the South Central L.A. community of Florence-Firestone, who built an informal granny flat for extra income after the sudden passing of their head of household. An anonymous complaint triggered an inspection and eventual demolition of the dwelling for code violations. It was Jonathan who ordered its removal. Audience members will understand the emotional rollercoaster the family endured while embroiled in this regulatory process, and Jonathan’s inner conflict with the outcome.
Sports In The City — For Economy or Community?
Professional athletic sports dominate the attention of City Hall and mass media, but often it’s the grass-roots sports programs that provide historically marginalized youth a connection to each other, the larger athletic community and the city as a whole. The “White Elephants” film questions the impact of a waterfront stadium project in Cape Town, South Africa, as the “Futbolistas 4 Life” and the “City Surf Project” films bring Bay Area empowerment stories to life.
November 15, 2018
Collective Memory in the Civic Commons
Public Spaces are encoded with meaning, and every person experiences them in a unique and specific way. These places are shaped by the decisions of governments, institutions, communities, and individuals. At the same time, their location, design, and regulating mechanisms shape forms of social organization and activity. This program will feature a collection of shorts exploring human stories about how places transform through different eras in response to our evolving societal expectations of these public spaces, their meanings, and their possibilities.
Street Art as Political Currency
Murals are a powerful form of art that expose us to beauty while oftentimes critiquing political and social conditions. The act of painting murals often brings people together through a sense of affinity and shared purpose, while at the same time offering challenges to regimes of power, expressing dissent, of simply revealing alternate points of view. This program is collection of shorts focusing on visual and graphic art in the public realm as a way of expressing and cultivating social capital; and explores how mural artists around the world are engaged in a practice that provokes and unites.
November 16, 2018
Be sure to bring your bus fare as our journey will begin with “Hotel 22”, a short film about bus line 22, a frequent destination for the homeless population of Silicon Valley. The “Snow Mountain” film tells the story of a mother and her son dreaming of a better life while they spend the night “camping”. Told from the point of view of a child, and shot with a handycam, “Crisanto Street” provides a hopeful look into the joyful life of young Geovany and his family. “Angel in the Alley” introduces us to the faithful presence of Albertino Garcia who overlooks and protects Olive alley. Finally, the “Viva House” film weaves a story of neighbors uniting to support each other. In a time when extremes of wealth and poverty, these films highlight the value of housing, home, and community.
February 1, 2019
The Stories We Will Tell: Interactive Media and Placemaking
Virtual reality, 360° video, performance, and live cinema offer the possibility of expansive interactive documentary storytelling that is uniquely spatial. But what blind spots exists when mediamakers and audiences adopt these immersive technologies? How can cities and communities use of these emerging strategies to increase civic participation and greater dialogue? This night starts with a gallery of interactive and VR film experiences, followed by the performance of new work from Vero Majano, Keith Wilson, and a collaboration between City Hope resident Heather Escandon and Adam Snell, followed by a lively panel discussion on the role of interactive media in the future of urban documentary.
February 2, 2019
The experience and perspectives of young people do not figure as prominently as they should in our discourse about the state and future of cities. Film and new media provide a rich and immediate way for youth to convey their insights. This program features a collection of incredible short works all created by — or for — young people ranging from middle school to young adults. Panelists include youth filmmakers and their adult allies working at the intersection of youth development and art.
February 10, 2019 @ SPUR
Level 1 Storytelling Workshop — Storytelling Basics for Climate Resiliency
This workshop will explore the fundamentals of storytelling — Story, Audience, Message and Style (SAMS) — to create better communication about urban planning projects addressing the challenges of global climate change. By analyzing sample videos created to promote awareness and engagement, participants will learn how to tell impactful stories that educate and empower their audience. Led by filmmaker and video production trainer Keith Battle, this lively lecture and discussion session will encourage participants to go beyond the traditional reports and slide presentations that are typically used in campaign building and embrace the power of video storytelling. Video storytelling as a non-technical, accessible format is an effective communications tool for planners, organizers, and residents to craft actionable campaigns around issues of density, sustainability, and community resiliency as they relate to the increasing pressures of a changing climate. SFUFF strongly recommends completing the Level 1 workshop prior to taking the Level 2 workshop.
February 10, 2019 @ SPUR
Level 2 Storytelling Workshop — Case Study: Treasure Island Autonomous Shuttle
The SF Urban Film Fest is excited to partner with San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) on an intensive hands-on Level 2 Storytelling Workshop which will build upon the basics taught in the Level 1 Storytelling Workshop and apply the lessons learned to an urban planning process that is happening in real time — the implementation of the autonomous shuttle on Treasure Island. The SFCTA is developing an autonomous vehicle shuttle to help people get around the island and reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips because the population is expected to grow by more than 20,000 residents over the next 20 years. Working in small groups of 5 led by a team leader who is a storyteller/media maker, participants will develop a communication campaign for eliciting public feedback on the autonomous shuttle. SFUFF strongly recommends completing the Level 1 workshop prior to taking the Level 2 workshop.
