The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is pleased to present the following films showcasing LGBT stories from around the world with a Jewish perspective during the 35th edition of the festival.

Since 1966, Danny Fields has played a pivotal role in music and “culture” of the late 20th century: working for the Doors, Cream, Lou Reed, Nico, Judy Collins and managing groundbreaking artists like the Stooges, the MC5 and the Ramones. An official selection of SXSW 2015, DANNY SAYS follows Fields from Phi Beta Kappa whiz-kid, to Harvard Law School dropout, to the Warhol Silver Factory, to Director of Publicity at Elektra Records, to “punk pioneer” and beyond. The film looks at Fields fascinating life and explores his sexuality as a gay man in the music industry. Screens Monday, July 27 at 8:30PM at Castro Theater in San Francisco; Thursday, August 6 at 8:30PM at California Theater in Berkeley.

Berkeley based filmmaker Rock Goldsmith will present his latest documentary MIND GAME: THE UNQUIET JOURNEY OF CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW. Once referred to as the “female Michael Jordan”, the film follows WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw, an iconic figure in women’s basketball who defied expectations with her advocacy work around mental illness. Chamique was also one of the first out women basketball players. Director Rick Goldsmith and subject Chamique Holdsclaw will be in attendance at the festival. Screens Friday, July 31 at 8:55PM at Castro Theater in San Francisco; Saturday, August 1 at 8:55PM at California Theater in Berkeley.

In PROBATION TIME the fragile bonds that make up a family are severely tested when the filmmaker is faced with an intense break up and a sister who is fighting “demons”. Israeli Director Avigail Sperber looks at her adopted Ethiopian sister’s struggles and aspirations in her personal documentary, an introspective take on the balance each of us must strike between our desire for belonging and independence. Screens Monday, July 27 at 12:30PM at Castro Theater in San Francisco; Monday, August 3 at 4PM at California Theater in Berkeley.

On Manhattan’s gilded Upper East Side, a young painter, Charlie, finds the man of his dreams in an older pianist from across the globe. If only Charlie weren’t secretly in love with his own manipulative best friend, Sebastian, who is embroiled in a financial scandal. In the wake of Sebastian’s notoriety, their tight-knit group of friends must confront the new realities of adulthood in THOSE PEOPLE. Screens Sunday, July 26 at 8:40PM at Castro Theater in San Francisco; Sunday, August 2 at 8:30PM at California Theater in Berkeley.

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) has announced a renaming of their year round organization to the Jewish Film Institute to better reflect the cultural initiatives and services they provide, including the world-renowned annual Festival – the first and largest festival of its kind. The repositioning of the institution coincides with the 35th anniversary of the SFJFF, which has evolved from an annual international film festival to a full-service media arts organization that serves audiences worldwide. The SFJFF will retain its name as an annual festival and continue to be the signature program of the Jewish Film Institute.

The 35th edition of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival returns to the Bay Area July 23-August 9, 2015 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, The California Theatre in Berkeley, and the Lakeside Theater in Oakland. The Festival will offer over 120 screenings to an expected audience of over 35,000.

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) continues to present year after year the very best in independent Jewish cinema—offering a full complement of films, festivities, special discussion programs and international guests that highlight 5775 years of culture. For ticket information, please contact the box office at 415.621.0523 or visit the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival online at www.sfjff.org.

About the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) is the world’s first and largest Jewish film festival, world-renowned for the diversity and breadth of its audiences and films, and annually attracting more than 35,000 filmgoers. SFJFF is the signature program of the Jewish Film Institute, a year-round media arts organization that serves as the premier curatorial voice for Jewish film and media. Through its film exhibition programs, educational initiatives, online activities and filmmaker support, JFI seeks to catalyze and inspire communities in San Francisco and around the world to expand their understanding of Jewish life and culture through film, media, and dialogue.

Ticket Information, Festival Dates and Public Contact Numbers
The 35th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival will take place July 23 – August 9th, 2015. For more information, visit the SFJFF website at www.sfjff.org or contact jewishfilm@sfjff.org. The complete lineup of films will be announced on June 23, 2015 along with a full complement of discussion programs, international guests, awards, and celebrations. Early Bird passes go on sale on May 26.Tickets and passes go on sale for members on June 23-25 and for the general public on June 26, 2015.

35&Under pass: Get the best deal in town with a specially priced pass for people 35 and Under, good for all shows at all theatres, including SF Opening Night (but excluding SF Closing Night and Berkeley Big Night) and invitations to meet other film aficionados and emerging filmmakers. This pass is included with the purchase of a Jewish Film Institute membership at the special “Supporter, 35 and Under” level.

All-Festival passes, discount cards, and special prices for students and seniors are available. For ticket information, please contact the Box Office at 415.621.0523 or visit the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at www.sfjff.org.

The Jewish Film Institute
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
145 Ninth Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.sfjff.org/jewishfilm@sfjff.org/415-621-0556