The 2025 SFFILM Festival Wraps Up On A High Note

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — That’s a wrap! The 68th San Francisco International Film Festival, presented by SFFILM, took its final bow Sunday night, capping another amazing edition of cinema-packed events. The festival featured 150 films from more than 50 countries including 11 world premieres, 10 international premieres and six U.S. premieres, along with special tributes, award presentations and festival talks.

The 2025 SFFILM Festival kicked off the festivities on Monday, April 17, with the California premiere of “Rebuilding,” Max Walker-Silverman’s feature debut about a Colorado rancher’s plight in the wake of a devastating wildfire. The Western drama stars Josh O’Connor, Meghann Fahy and Lily LaTorre.

Two days later, the Centerpiece presentation took place with a screening of Rachael Abigail Holder’s “Love, Brooklyn.” The new romantic comedy, starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie and DeWanda Wise, explores Black life in the modern age. At the special event, SFFILM also paid tribute to Holland, celebrating his artistic achievements as an actor and producer. His other film credits include “Selma,” “Moonlight” and “Passing.”

This year, the oldest film festival in the North Americas celebrated San Francisco pride, honoring longtime resident Chris Columbo, a legendary filmmaker whose famous films — “Nine Months,” “Rent” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” — were shot in the “City by the Bay.”

Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God,” “CODA”) also made a special appearance at the Marquee presentation of “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.” The new documentary film, directed by Shoshannah Stern, chronicles the Academy Award-winning actress’ trailblazing career.

(See red carpet photo arrivals below.)

During the 11-day film fest, special honors and awards were also presented. Experimental filmmaker Sky Hopinka was feted with the Persistence of Vision Award, an honor given to a filmmaker whose main body of work falls outside the realm of narrative feature filmmaking.

In addition, Roxie Theater was presented with the 2025 SFFILM Mel Novikoff Award, an award bestowed to an individual or institution that has enhanced the film-going public’s appreciation of world cinema.

The 2025 edition also announced the winners of the Golden Gate Awards. “Ink Wash,” directed by Sarra Tsorakidis, won in the New Directors category. Meanwhile, “Beloved Tropic,” directed by Ana Endara Mislov, nabbed the prize in the Cine Latino category, and “All That’s Left of You,” directed by Cherien Dabis, scored a win in the Global Visions category. “Seeds,” directed by Brittany Shyne, took home the Kirby Walker Documentary Award.

Audience Awards were given to “Come See Me in the Good Light,” “All That’s Left of You” and “Souleymane’s Story.”

The 2025 San Francisco International Film Festival closed Sunday, April 27, with “Outerlands,” Elena Oxman’s indie drama about discovery, loss and acceptance, starring Asia Kate Dillon. For more information on SFFILM, visit the festival’s website (sffilm.org).

Photo Highlights From The 2025 SFFILM FESTIVAL

Academy Award Winner Marlee Matlin At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere Of "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore"

Persistence of Vision Award Honoree Sky Hopinka At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere Of "Sky Hopinka Shorts: a proposition of memory"

Marlee Matlin and Film Director Shoshannah Stern At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere Of "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore"

SFFILM Executive Director Anne Lai, SFFILM Board President Todd Traina, Marlee Matlin and SFFILM Program Director Jessie Fairbanks At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere Of "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore"

The Cast & Crew Of "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore" At The 2025 SFFILM Festival

Film Director Thomas Percy Kim At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere of "Isle Child"

Lauren Chen At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere of "Isle Child"

Ethan Hwang At The 2025 SFFILM Premiere of "Isle Child"

The Cast and Crew of "Isle Child" At The 2025 SFFILM Festival

---