August 19th, 2024 San Diego: For Immediate Release: The San Diego International Film Festival announces the footprint for the 23rd Annual Festival (Oct 16-20, 2024). The San Diego International
Film Festival is ‘Celebrating the Power of Film’ with curated screenings that inform, inspire and entertain. Festival events include the Opening Night Film Premiere & Reception, the Night of the Stars Tribute, Culinary Cinema, Studio Premieres, curated features, documentaries and shorts from Independent Filmmakers around the world as well as parties, panels and networking events. Count on the Festival to get the conversation started with compelling Social Impact Films and Q&As including: Environmental Sustainability, Social Inequities, Individuals with Disabilities and Inclusion, American Indian Native Experience, LGBTQAI+ Rights, and other topics affecting our world and our communities. Events and screenings will take place at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, La Jolla and AMC UTC 14 @ Westfield UTC.
Each year the San Diego International Film Festival receives submissions from over 3200 independent filmmakers from 85 countries. The San Diego International Film Festival is strategically positioned in October to premiere potential contenders just prior to the industry nominations and awards shows. Through the years, the San Diego International Film Festival has screened premieres that have garnered 33 ACADEMY AWARDS and 149 NOMINATIONS!
Tonya Mantooth, CEO/Artistic Director shared “Every year, the festival gives us this incredible opportunity to come together as a community, look at stories and issues together – and discuss their impact. Film is such a powerful medium to facilitate and initiate those conversations. In today’s world, slowing down to see issues from other people’s perspectives is so vital – and film helps us do that. It has that ability to bridge the divide that is so prevalent. We have the opportunity to create empathy by examining some of the topical initiatives we take on as a festival and dig deeper into the topics with our community. As an Artistic Director, creating that empathy through film is the most exciting aspect of the festival. We’re looking forward to sharing the full slate in a couple of weeks and getting those conversations started!”
Mantooth announced the following initiatives aligned with the Festival’s mission to use the experience of film to explore issues of global impact, to create dialog, and ultimately to develop empathy and understanding in an increasingly diverse and complex world.
● UC San Diego Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) is a sponsor
for this year’s festival. This innovative collaboration will inspire conversation about the newest
research in the treatment against antibiotic resistant superbugs. IPATH is co-directed by
Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D. and Robert Schooley, M.D. and the center is part of the University of
California San Diego School of Medicine. Patrons will enjoy the film: Last Chance To Save A Life
by Australian Writer/Director Emma Watts, which was inspired by Steffanie Strathdee’s
successful efforts to save her husband’s life with phage therapy. Following the film, patrons will enjoy a panel discussion with Emma, IPATH researchers and a phage therapy patient followed by
a cocktail reception.
● Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films. Back by popular demand, the Festival continues its long
standing partnership with Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films with the screening of the next season
of ‘Lights, Camera, Friendship!’ filmed in Valdosta, Georgia. The docuseries follows young
adults on the autism spectrum as they navigate friendship. Inclusion Films was started in 2007
by veteran filmmaker Joey Travolta. Inclusion Films teaches both the hard and soft skills of
filmmaking to individuals with developmental differences in dedicated production studios
across California. The ongoing goal of Joey Travolta and Inclusion Films’ film training programs is
to continue to encourage and enable employment of individuals with developmental differences.
This year’s partnership includes an audience talkback with cast and crew members after the film
screening.
● The film festival is excited to partner with the San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation for the world
premiere of Into the Unknown. This powerful documentary explores the trauma and resilience
of paramedics across the U.S., revealing the profound courage behind their everyday heroism.
Into the Unknown provides an intimate look at the lives of five diverse paramedic teams,
highlighting their challenges and strength. The premiere, in collaboration with the San Diego
Fire Rescue Foundation, aims to raise awareness about the mental health struggles of first
responders and promote essential support. Following the screening there will be a Q&A which
will include Dr. Richard Camona, 17th Surgeon General, who will discuss the impact of trauma
on first responders and the film’s insights.
● Women’s Museum of California. The San Diego International Film Festival is thrilled to include
the Women’s Film Series in 2024 for the third year in partnership with the Women’s Museum of
California. Together – the organizations discover, cultivate and amplify diverse voices of women
filmmakers who help shape our cultural landscape through the art of cinematic storytelling. This
commitment to diversity, racial equity and inclusion is grounded in values established by both
organizations and with efforts that ensure internal culture is demonstrative of diversity, equity
and inclusion efforts. Patrons will enjoy a panel discussion “How Women Lead On And Off
Screen” Sandra Maas, Board President of the Women’s Museum of California, shared “We are
delighted to partner once again with Tonya Mantooth and the San Diego International Film
Festival to shine the spotlight on relevant, groundbreaking, empowering stories that share the
triumphs and challenges facing women in 2024. Curating films that amplify the stories and
voices of women and promote diversity and gender equality, is not only a thrill, but brings with it
the possibility of improving the lives of women everywhere.”
Selected films for the 2024 Festival will be announced in early September. sdfilmfest.com
2024 SAN DIEGO INTL FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
WED. OCT 16
Opening Night Film Premiere & Reception
The Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park
Pre-Reception and Screening
Join us on Wed, Oct 16th to kick off the 23nd Annual San Diego International Film Festival at the
Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Film lovers, filmmakers, arts patrons, elected officials,
and business professionals will gather to ‘Celebrate the Power of Film.’ Guests will enjoy a
Pre-screening Cocktail Party followed by a Studio Film Premiere and post reception.
THURS. OCT 17
Night of the Stars Tribute
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, La Jolla
Time: 5:30pm Red Carpet and Pre-Reception; 7:00pm Presentations
The San Diego International Film Festival honors some of the film industry’s most accomplished actors,
directors and filmmakers. Each year we are proud to present the Gregory Peck Award of Excellence in
Cinema with the support of the Peck family. Rising stars, auteurs, and visionaries are also recognized
and celebrated.
Partial List of Past Honorees
•Laurence Fishburne •Geena Davis
•Sir Patrick Stewart •Judd Apatow
•Annette Bening •Alan Arkin
•Andy Garcia •Adrian Brody
•Gus Van Sant •Regina Hall
•Kenny Loggins •Kumail Nanjiani
•Kate Beckinsale •Heather Graham
THURS. OCT 17—SUN. OCT 20
Studio Premieres and Independent Film Screenings
AMC UTC 14 @ Westfield UTC
Film lovers will enjoy film screenings of Studio Premieres and Independent Features, Documentaries and
Short Films as well as Filmmaker Q&As and Panels. In between film screenings, guests can visit the Fest
Lounge for snacks, cocktails and conversations with other Film Lovers.
SUN. OCT 20
Culinary Cinema
Capital One Café & AMC UTC 14 @ Westfield UTC
Culinary Cinema is the perfect recipe for Sunday fun and a dream come true for foodies! Hosted by
Shawn Styles from CBS8’s ‘Cooking with Styles’, the ingredients begin with an extravagant nosh at the
Capital One Cafe, followed by a cuisine-themed film. Afterwards, enjoy bites and pairings inspired by
renowned San Diego Chefs. Add some nice wines and good conversation with fellow film lovers and you
have a perfect Sunday afternoon!
PASS PACKAGES:
The Festival’s signature events (Opening Night Film and Pre-Reception and Culinary Cinema) typically
sell out. The best way to guarantee reservations at these events is to purchase a pass and reserve
your tickets no later than Labor Day (Sept. 4).
The VIP Pass Package includes: Opening Night Film and Pre-Reception, Culinary Cinema, first access to
all film screenings, panels, special events and VIP Lounge
The Fest Pass Package includes all screenings on Thursday – Sunday as well as Culinary Cinema.
The Weekend Pass Package includes all screenings on Saturday and Sunday only. Culinary Cinema not
included
Individual event tickets to the signature events will go on Sept 4th on a space available basis.
There are a variety of Festival Packages available to suit every budget. Individual screenings can be
purchased for $20 all the way up to the VIP PASS PACKAGE for $550. Learn more about Festival ticketing
options https://sdfilmfest.com/buy-passes/
We are cashless/paperless and badges are printed physically. All tickets can be uploaded digitally and
scanned.
About The San Diego International Film Festival:
The San Diego International Film Festival is the region’s premier film event and one of the leading stops
on the independent festival circuit. The Festival offers a totally unique film experience; including world
premieres, never before seen studio releases and the best in independent filmmaking. We believe
cinema is a catalyst for positive change. The festival programming is diverse – however everyone has a
genre that speaks to their heart – including us. With a passion for social impact topics, we’ve focused
the lens on curated independent films that explore the issues affecting our world including
homelessness, prejudice, pollution of the world’s rivers, animal and environmental extinction,
sustainability, sex-trafficking, military stories and more.
About the San Diego Film Foundation:
CREATING EMPATHY IN A COMPLEX WORLD….
Our mission is to use the experience of film to explore issues of global impact, to create dialog, and
ultimately to develop empathy and understanding in an increasingly diverse and complex world. We
leverage these important conversations via our partnership with the San Diego County Office of
Education and the San Diego Unified School District to use cinematic storytelling to help educate future
leaders on key issues affecting our communities and world.
A 501c.3. The San Diego Film Foundation brings the finest independent cinematic storytelling from
around the world to San Diego each year. We present films that make a difference through a variety of
events and programs. We have a created robust infrastructure to continue sharing film and discussion
safely including:
● FOCUS on Impact Film Series for all High School Students in San Diego County (Fall and Spring
2024/2025)
● Film Insider Series (May – August 2024)
● 2023 San Diego International Film Festival (October 16-20, 2024
CLAUSEN COMMUNICATIONS
Public Relations
– Connecting the Community –
Current Clients Include: