11th San Francisco Documentary Festival

SF Documentary Festival, Nov 8-21 in San Francisco and Berkley Sometimes Truth is Stranger than Fiction Presenting the freshest films on the most up-to-the-minute themes is the mission of the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival (SF DocFest), year in and year out. With over 50 films from around the world, the 11th edition of SF DocFest aims to give its audience two weeks of some of the hottest non-fiction films on the current circuit. Highlights of the 11th edition include films about art and artists, social-political issues, a rare insight into contemporary Italy, a penis museum, Indian beauty queens, couch surfing, predatory corporations, Somalian pirates and much more. Some festival films didn’t travel too far: THE INSTITUTE, CRUEL AND UNUSUAL, and WITHOUT A NET were made right here by Bay-Area filmmakers, and the Opening and Closing Night Films both feature local subjects. For Opening Night on Thursday, Nov. 8th, DocFest presents WORKING CLASS, about SF street artist Mike Giant and San Diego’s Mike Maxwell. Both Mikes will be in attendance t discuss the film afterward with Director Jeffrey Durkin and display some of their art. On Closing Night, don’t miss the incredible doc about a Richmond, CA guitar hero that’s been blowing away audiences: JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET. Regular screenings begin the next day on both screens of the Roxie theater and at the Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. In addition to the selection of the most amazing current documentaries, there are also a few special programs worth checking out on Sat, Nov 10th. First, there is a free screening and panel called 780 FREDERICK: The Struggle for Urban Recycling and Community Gardens featuring a film-in-progress presentation followed by community discussion. Later that night, the Roxie turns into an 80s dance party with the presentation of DANCE CRAZE-THE BEST OF BRITISH SKA, followed by the annual NEW WAVE SING-ALONG...Get your tickets early! Friday and Saturday nights during the festival there are after parties around the corner from the Roxie at 518 Valencia. Check out Mission B.A.G. (Bad Art Gallery) and fun game nights like “$25 Pyramid,” and a film trivia/quiz night plus DJs spinning great tunes, bartenders serving tasty drinks, and some of the latest Bad Art discoveries by the demented curators of B.A.G. With over 35 feature documentaries and two dozen short films, there’s something for everyone to to get excited about, every day of the festival!