Parties, movies, celebrities—oh my! The San Diego International Film Festival (Oct. 15 to 20) brings together the work of more than 200 filmmakers from across the globe, including never-before-seen studio releases and world premieres. Here is a quick look at some of the festival’s hotly anticipated movies and star-studded events.
WHAT TO SEE
Check out Parasite during SDIFF.
Parasite: Winner of this year’s Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite follows a poor family who finagle their way into jobs at an elite household.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire: Director Céline Sciamma won best screenplay at Cannes for her story, set in 18th-century France, about a painter who falls for the young woman she is commissioned to paint.
Clemency: Chinonye Chukwu, the first black woman to win a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, directed this film about a prison warden (Alfre Woodard) struggling with the toll of carrying out death-row executions.
Jojo Rabbit: Filmmaker Taika Waititi’s WWII satire concerns a German boy whose mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in their house.
A scene from Funke.
Funke: Follow one of L.A.’s hottest chefs, Evan Funke, as he prepares to launch Felix, his new restaurant devoted to the dying art of handmade pasta.
A still from A Hidden Life.
A Hidden Life: Inspired by true events, Terrence Malick’s film tells the story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian peasant farmer who refused to fight for the Nazis.
My Body Is Not A Weapon: Documentary filmmaker Platon goes to the war-torn region of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo to focus on the atrocities the women and children have endured.
WHERE TO BE SEEN
Tuesday, Oct. 15
The festival kicks off with a never-before-seen studio film premiere at Balboa Theatre, plus a red-carpet with the filmmakers, followed by an afterparty at Parc Nightclub.
Friday, Oct. 18
At the Night of the Stars Tribute at the Pendry, expect a celebrity red carpet, cocktail reception and awards show honoring some of the industry’s biggest names. Afterparty at Oxford Social Club.
Saturday, Oct. 19
See who will take home an SDIFF Jury Award at the Filmmaker Awards Show and Party at the Pendry.
Sunday, Oct. 20
At Culinary Cinema, enjoy Champagne, bites and wine pairings inspired by the film Funke at ArcLight Cinemas Westfield UTC.
VIP ACCESS
With a VIP member pass, you’ll receive complimentary valet parking, access to VIP lounges, reserved seating, priority line access, special invitations to private screenings and events, and panel and party reservations. VIP weekend pass $399, VIP six-day member pass $599, patron member pass from $2,500, sdfilmfest.com
Photography by: San Diego Film Festival
