galas
SJIFF2, the ten-day flagship festival of the San Joaquin Film Society, will kick-off with the Northern California premiere of Denis Rabaglia's "Marcello Marcello" Official Red Carpet Ribbon Cutting at 6:30PM with the honorable presence of Francesco Mistichelli, the film's principle actor. At 7:00PM the Show Begins! Follow the red carpet to an extraordinary evening with: a special compilation of clips from SJIFF2 films; presentation of prizes to award-winning films of SJIFF2 selected by a distinguished jury; the Opening short film "Para Asia" (USA Premiere) by Spanish-Singaporean director Fran Borgia; and the presence of celebrated filmmakers and innovators from around the world - all leading up to the Northern California Premiere of "Marcello Marcello." At 9:30PM, be seen in style at the annual "With the Stars" Opening Night Party, taking place in the theater’s mezzanine. Celebrate SJIFF2 with festive entertainment and an energetic crowd of film lovers, guest artists, and the media. Savor a collection of scrumptious cuisine from Downtown Stockton restaurants, along with fine wine and refreshing drinks.
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Marcello Marcello
Opening Night Film
97 min, Switzerland, Germany, Italy 2008
Director: Denis Rabaglia
Northern California Premiere, Narrative Feature
Italy, 1956. In the picturesque island of Amatrello, a unique custom keeps the young men of the village busy: when a girl turns eighteen, every boy is invited to bring a gift for her first date. Eighteen-year-old fisherman's son Marcello doesn't care about this tradition until he sets eyes on the enchanting Elena... Sponsored by C-Films, Switzerland
Actor Francesco Mistichelli in Person
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THUR. 5/14 at 7:00PM
Party at 9:30PM
Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre
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Experience the Central Valley Premiere of the deeply-inspiring and evocatively-moving film adaptation of Karen Kingsbury’s “Like Dandelion’s Dust,” based on the best-selling novel, starring Academy Award-winning Mira Sorvino, Barry Pepper, Sacramento-born Kate Levering, Maxwell Perry Cotton, and Cole Hauser. Red Carpet Welcome at 6:30PM. The Closing Night Gala opens with a special presentation of remarks and the 2009 Independent Award to Dir. Jon Gunn. The crown jewel of the evening is "Like Dandelion Dust." Following the screening will be a extraordinary conversation with the director and producers of the film. At 9:45PM, the Closing Night Party celebrates in style at the chic and innovative Centrale. Mingle with special guests from the film, enjoy scrumptious appetizers and delicious drinks, while dancing the night away to the hot beats of DJ Nica.
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Like Dandelion Dust
Closing Night Film
100 min | USA | 2009
Director: Jon Gunn
Central Valley Premiere, Narrative Feature
Karen Kingsbury's "Like Dandelion Dust", based on the best-selling novel, is a compelling drama that explores the different meanings of being a parent through the grittily realistic lives of the struggling, blue collar Porter's, and the privileged Campbell family. Their lives intersect, intertwine and collide, all for the love of a little boy. This film is wonderfully acted, bravely exposing the humanity in each character and reminding us that we each have the potential to be the best and worst versions of ourselves at any time. Sponsored by Downes Brothers Entertainment, USA.
Director Jon Gunn, Producer Kevin Downes, Producer Bobby Downes in Person
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SAT. 5/23 at 7:30PM
Faye Spanos Concert Hall
SAT. 5/23 at 9:45PM
Party at Centrale |
The film selected for the Centerpiece programme is a cinematic story that captures the essence of humanity, power of expression, and universality of cinema arts. Experience the amazing "Universalove," featuring original music by Austrian indie rock band, Naked Lunch.
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Universalove
Centerpiece
83 min | Austria, Luxembourg, Serbia | 2008
Director:Thomas Woschitz
West Coast USA Premiere, Narrative Feature
"Universalove" is a global love story. Six episodes in six different places of the world are told in a symbiosis of modern story-telling and popular music...
• view full details |
SUN. 5/17 at 3:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Join the Film Society for a splendid Members Night Film screening as we welcome the return of the international jury-selected, Best Narrative Feature of last year's San Joaquin International Film Festival - Cortes' "The Clown and the Fuhrer." To become a member of SJFS and enjoy the extraordinry world of film year-round, click here.
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The Clown and the Führer
Members Night Film
95 min | Spain | 2007
Director: Eduard Cortés
SJIFF1 Award Winner, Narrative Feature
"Berlin, 1944. Charlie Rivel has to put on an act for the Führer's birthday. Two people are anxious to perform with him: a Gestapo agent, and someone planning an attack that could change the course of the war and the history of mankind." Sponsored by Benecé Produccion, Spain.
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FRI. 5/22 at 8:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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features
Experience the vision, passion, diversity, and creativity of cinematic storytellers from around the world.
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1000 Journals
88 min | USA, Italy, Croatia, France, Australia, The Netherlands | 2007
Director: Andrea Kreuzhage
Documentary Feature
A film about people whose lives are touched by 1000 traveling journals. These blank journals were released into the world in the summer of 2000, by Someguy, a San Francisco based artist.
• view full details |
WED. 5/20 at 5:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Baler
Showcase
110 min | The Philippines| 2008
Director: Mark Meily
Narrative Feature
A tale of an overwhelming secret love of a young Filipina named Feliza Reyes and a Spanish-Filipino soldier, Celso Resurrecion, set during the Siege of Baler. It is also about heroism, courage, love of freedom, patriotism, endurance, chivalry, and humanity. Sponsored by Viva Films, The Philippines
• view full details |
TUES. 5/19 at 8:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Cherry Blossoms
Homecoming Spotlight
127 min | Germany, Japan | 2008
Director: Doris Dörrie
Central Valley Premiere, Narrative Feature
Directed by University of the Pacific alumnus Doris Dörrie.The sudden death of his wife plunges a terminally ill man into profound grief. Realizing how little he knew her and how little he showed her his affection, he devotes his last weeks to fulfilling her long-cherished dreams
• view full details
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THUR. 5/21 at 8:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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D tour
Miracle Mile Spotlight
99 min | USA | 2008
Director: Jim Granato
Central Valley Premiere, Documentary Feature
A rock 'n' roll film about life, death, and bodily functions. Pat Spurgeon is a professional musician whose dreams of being in a successful rock ‘n’ roll band have come true. But just as his band, Rogue Wave, starts to take off, his kidney starts to fail.
Director Jim Granato in Person
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FRI. 5/22 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
SUN. 5/24 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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El Brindis
Showcase
100 min | Chile, México| 2007
Director: Shai Agosin
Central Valley Premiere, Narrative Feature
A young female photographer who hardly knows her Chilean father, decides to travel to Chile and meet him. There, she will find out that he is suffering from a terminal disease, and while trying to come to terms with him, she will fall in love with one of his best friends. Sponsored by Agosin Films, Chile
• view full details |
FRI. 5/15 at 8:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
FRI. 5.24 at 4:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre |
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Goodnight, Irene
99 min | Portugal | 2007
Director: Paolo Marinou-Blanco
Narrative Feature
Lisbon. Portugal. Present day. For Alex and Bruno, it could be any other time or place. Both their lives are set to change when Irene, an attractive painter, moves in next door. Sponsored by Filmes do Tejo, Portugal
• view full details |
SAT. 5/16 at 1:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre |
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Katrina's Children
85 min | USA | 2008
Director: Laura Belsey
Northern California Premiere, Documentary Feature
A multi-faceted portrait of nineteen children, ages 5 through 13, from different neighborhoods of New Orleans, and their point of view of the greatest man made and natural disaster in modern American History.
• view full details |
TUES. 5/19 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Lullabye Before I Wake
107 min | Thailand | 2007
Director: Nate Pantumsinchai
Northern California Premiere, Narrative Feature
This a story about unrequited love. Our hero, Billy, is a senior in college who has never really had a girlfriend. This turns out to be true, except of course for a beautiful girl he meets named Megan. That’s when his love-sick frustration begins to find its expression in his increasingly desperate dreams…
Actor Maiara Walsh in Person
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SUN. 5/17 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
MON. 5/18 at 8:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Marta and Her Flying Grandfather
60 min | Germany | 2006
Director: Christian Schwochow
California Premiere, Narrative Feature
Nine year old Marta is sent to her beloved grandfather’s house in the country. Once she arrives, she finds this once familiar world has become very different.
• view full details |
FRI. 5/22 at 4:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Megunica
82 min | Italy, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Argentina | 2008
Director: Lorenzo Fonda
Northern California Premiere, Documentary Feature
Join four friends on a mind-broadening odyssey to Latin America, with acclaimed grafitti artist Blu.
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THUR. 5/21 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority
54 min | USA | 2008
Director: Kimberlee Bassford
Central Valley Premiere, Documentary Feature
Everyone told her "No." So she wrote the rules. This film explores the remarkable political story of Patsy Mink, an Asian American woman who, battling racism and sexism, redefined American politics.
• view full details |
SPIRIT OF HUMANITY AWARD TRIBUTE
FRI. 5/15 at 6:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Personality
85 min | India | 2007
Director: Vinay Chowdhry
West Coast USA Premiere, Documentary Feature
Rajesh, a talented and hard-working dancer, moves to Bombay from his rural village to dance in Bollywood films.
• view full details |
MON. 5/18 at 5:30PM
Matinée Movie Lounge |
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Veer
Homecoming Spotlight
102 min | USA | 2008
Director: Greg Fredette, Producer: Jason Turner
California Premiere, Documentary Feature
Produced and photographed by Stockton-born Jason Turner. Veer explores America’s fast-growing bicycling culture by profiling five people whose lives are inextricably tied to bicycling and the bike-centric social groups they belong to.
Filmmaker Jason Turner in Person
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SAT. 5/23 at 4:00PM
Faye Spanos Concert Hall
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The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi Li
Showcase
88 min | Canada, China, Germany | 2008
Director: Barbara Willis Sweete
Northern California Premiere, Documentary Feature
At age 25, classical piano virtuoso Yundi Li has already accomplished what most musicians only dream of. Following the artist as he prepares for a monumental concert with the Berlin Philharmonic, we experience the grandeur of classical performance and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it. Sponsored by Rhombus Media, Canada
• view full details |
WED. 5/20 at 7:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
SUN. 5/24 at 2:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre
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Savor the world of animated cinema with a visual feast of the world's newest and most celebrated animated films! Featured are two amazing animated features and two short film collections.
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Idiots and Angels
78 min | USA | 2008
Director: Bill Plympton
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Feature
Angel is a selfish, abusive, morally bankrupt man who hangs out as his local bar, berating the other patrons. One day, Angel mysteriously wakes up with a pair of wings on his back.
Director Bill Plympton in Person (5/16)
• view full details |
EL DORADO AWARD TRIBUTE
SAT. 5/16 at 6:30PM
Stockton Empire Theatre |
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Sita Sings the Blues
82 min | USA | 2007
Director: Nina Paley
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Feature
A tale of truth, justice and a woman’s cry for equal treatment. Sita Sings the Blues earns its tagline as "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told."
• view full details |
SAT. 5/22 at 2:00PM
Faye Spanos Concert Hall
SUN. 5/23 at 8:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre |
the opening short
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For Asia : Opening Short Film
7 min | Singapore, Spain | 2007
Director: Fran Borgia
USA Premiere, Live-Action Short
William Faulkner: "The past is never dead; it isn't even past."
• view full film details
• view opening night details |
THUR. 5/14 at 7:00PM
Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre |
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short-length films
With 14 short film collections, the San Joaquin Film Society curated a highly-selective collection of some of the world's most celebrated and newest discoveries in filmmaking.
| animania : short films programme #1 |
A war pilot discovers the true price of honor in Der Ostwind. A Hot Dog becomes a fireman in order to gain the respect he deserves. The Inquisitive Snail finds out what’s delicious. A greedy old couple and a magic egg in KuyGorozh. Lavatory-Lovestory: Love springs up anywhere. A man tries to become a better person in Like Me, Only Better. The Veterinarian has a broken heart. Seven fascinating films celebrate Animania!
Total Running Time: 66 min.
SHOWTIMES
FRI. 5/15 at 6:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge
FRI. 5/22 at 4:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge
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The East Wind (Der Ostwind)
11 min | USA | 2006
Director: Kohl Glass
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Short
In search of a worthy opponent, a German WWI ace discovers the true price of honor.
• view full details |
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Hot Dog
6 min | USA | 2008
Director: Bill Plympton
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Short
A plucky hero becomes a fireman in order to save the lives and gain the respect he deserves.
Director Bill Plympton in Person (5/15)
• view full details |
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The Inquisitive Snail
1 min | Canada | 2007
Director: Flemish Beauty
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Short-Short
An inquisitive snail digs up the dirt on the inhabitants of a small town only to discover that a shell full of secrets is a heavy load indeed.
• view full details |
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KuyGorozh
14 min | Russia | 2007
Director: Sergey Merinov
North American Premiere, Animated Short
When evil Kuygorozh places an egg in their nest, the old man and the old woman have begun a new life but the pleasure of greedy idlers was short...
• view full details |
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Lavatory Lovestory
10 min | Russia | 2007
Director: Konstantin Bronzit
Animated Short
Love is always sudden. No one surprises if love springs up at work even though the place of the work is unexpected.
• view full details |
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Like Me, Only Better
6 min | United Kingdom | 2007
Director: Martin Pickles
Animated Short
A man called Clive tries to become a better person and to overcome his various Obsessive Compulsive disorders.
• view full details |
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Veterinarian
18 min | Latvia, USA | 2007
Director: Signe Baumane
Northern California Premiere, Animated Short
A story about a vet with a broken heart.
• view full details |
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| animania II : short films programme #2 |
A wife makes Chicory 'n' Coffee. Sam finds an abused woman outside his door in Heather. Grace the newborn is swapped during Dog Days. Midlife crisis turns a man to Fly Out Blue. A curious baby becomes a Hush Baby. The Bird Empire expands beyond Earth in Last Time in Clerkenwell. A Mexican Standoff. Sebastian's Voodoo finds courage to save his friends. The Moth and the Firefly searches for light. searches for light. Discover nine extraordinary animated stories.
Total Running Time: 66 min.
SHOWTIMES
TUE. 5/19 at 8:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge
FRI. 5/22 at 6:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge
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Chicory 'n' Coffee
9 min | Slovenia | 2008
Director: Dusan Kastelic
Central Valley Premiere, Animated Short
A simple peasant couple, from their marriage to their deaths. There is a small deception: the wife has been making Chicory for her ruffian husband instead of real Coffee for all their lives.
• view full details |
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Heather
6 min | United Kingdom | 2007
Director: Ed Suckling
Animated Short
Sam finds a badly beaten woman outside his apartment.
• view full details |
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Dog Days
16 min | France | 2007
Director: Geoffroy de Crécy
Northern California Premiere, Animated Short
Grace, the newborn of an American upper-class family, is exchanged with Doug, the little baby dog of a much lower-class American family.
• view full details |
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Fly Out Blue
13 min | Taiwan | 2007
Director: Jack (Ming-Huei) Shih
California Premiere, Animated Short
A man going through his midlife crisis becomes fascinated with flying and fantasizes about a more exciting life for himself.
• view full details |
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Hush Baby
4 min | Singapore | 2009
Director: Tan Wei Keong
North American Premiere, Animated Short
A curious baby is protected from an environment of temptation.
• view full details |
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Last Time in Clerkenwell
4 min | USA | 2007
Director: Alex Budovsky
Animated Short
The Bird Empire expands beyond the Earth boundaries and falls under unexpected circumstances.
• view full details |
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Mexican Standoff
4 min | USA | 2008
Director:Bill Plympton
Central Valley Premire, Animated Short, Music Video
A music video for the Dutch band Parson Brown, follows a three-sided love affair that goes absolutely wrong and the hearts that break along the way.
Director Bill Plympton in Person
• view full details |
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The Moth and the Firefly
5 min | USA | 2009
Director: Aron Epstein, Daniel Stedman
West Coast USA Premiere, Animated Short |
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Sebastian's Voodoo
5 min | USA | 2008
Director: Joaquin Baldwin
Animated Short
A voodoo doll must find the courage to save his friends from being pinned to death.
• view full details |
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| discovery : short films programme #3 |
The brilliant German chemist Haber had one of the most extraordinary dual legacies in history. Oh, Simon - lives alone in a house she never leaves tending to her orchid. On the Line: A department security guard is secretly in love with a young bookstore clerk. A film adaptation of the Poe classic, Tell-Tale Heart. Discover four vivid stories that you will never forget.
Total Running Time: 95 min.
SHOWTIMES
SAT. 5/16 at 4:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre
THUR. 5/21 at 6:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge
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Haber
34 min | USA | 2008
Director: Daniel Ragussis
Northern California Premiere, Live-Action Short
Fritz Haber was a brilliant German chemist with one of the most extraordinary dual legacies in history.
• view full details |
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Oh, Simone
10 min | United Kingdom | 2008
Director: Stuart Gatt
West Coast USA Premiere, Live-Action Short
Simone lives alone, alone in her house, a house that she never leaves. Her life is dictated by her duty to tend to her beautiful orchid and not much else.
• view full details |
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On the Line
30 min | Germany, Switzerland | 2007
Director: Reto Caffi
Central Valley Premiere, Live-Action Short
A department store security guard is racked by guilt after not helping someone who was attacked in the subway.
• view full details |
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Tell-Tale Heart
21 min | USA | 2008
Director: Robert Eggers
Central Valley Premiere, Live-Action Short
A short film adaptation of the Poe classic with tangibly detailed period design and hauntingly lifelike puppetry.
• view full details |
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