G. Allen Johnson April 23, 2021Updated: April 23, 2021, 11:25 am
SFFilm Executive Director Anne Lai (left) and Director of Programming Jessie Fairbanks at Fort Mason Flix, where the festival could continue drive-in screenings. Photo: Pamela Gentile, SFFilm
Organizers of the San Francisco International Film Festival are excited at the prospect of being able to once again pack the Castro Theatre and other local venues for its 2022 festival. But after this month’s successful online and drive-in events, they realize that what started as a pandemic stopgap might become a permanent feature of SFFilm.
“We are going to continue to look at how we can enhance that model of a hybrid of both being virtual and being in person,” said Jessie Fairbanks, SFFilm’s new director of programming. “My dream is that we are able to offer virtual presentations. It allows for greater accessibility and inclusivity at the festival.