The 17th annual San Diego International Film Festival will feature 12 local films among more than 100 international entries during a five-day run that begins Tuesday.
“This year we had over 2,500 film submissions from 60+ different countries to review for potential inclusion in the festival. This includes studio-backed major releases as well as incredible independent films. We were particularly excited to see the talent that came out of San Diego,” said Tonya Mantooth, CEO and artistic director of the festival.
The San Diego films include “The Samuel Project,” about a teen who makes his grandfather the subject of an art project and learns of his harrowing experience in World War II, and “Change Is In The Water,” a documentary about the attempted ocean conservation efforts of an environmentally sustainable surfboard brand.
Produced by the San Diego Film Foundation, the festival includes studio premieres, celebrity panels, red carpet events, parties, tributes and filmmaker awards. New awards this year include “Best Local Film” and “Best Local Breakout Film.”
“We have positioned ourselves as a leading stop on the independent festival circuit, and it is an honor to get to work with our local filmmakers who are helping to create that community,” said Mantooth.
The opening night premiere of “Can You Ever Forgive Me” will be at the historic Balboa Theatre downtown, and the official cinemas for the festival are ArcLight Cinema La Jolla and Regal Cinema UA Horton Plaza.
Tickets, passes and a complete schedule are available online.