United Film Festival
In theory, United Film Festivals exists to bring filmmakers together into a “united film community.” I’m not sure how it does this, but it results in yet another excuse to see some (hopefully) excellent independent movies you’re not going to see elsewhere. This one starts with a comedy called How to Make Love to a Woman. While most of the films are (appropriately enough) ones you’ve never heard of, there are midnight screenings of Big Trouble in Little China and The Fly.
Frameline
The Bay Area’s premiere Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender festival plays at the Castro, the Roxie, Elmwood, and assorted other venues June 17 through the 27th. This year’s festival includes a series on early Andy Warhol and a spotlight on films from Latin America. I hope to see a couple of the films before the festival, so I can tell you at least some of what’s worth seeing (or worth skipping).
Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival
While Frameline is winding down in San Francisco, silent movies will play through the weekend (June 25 – 27) at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont. This year’s festival includes a celebration of Essanay films made in 1910, including several directed by Broncho Billy Anderson himself. Also included is The Jack-Knife Man, an early work by King Vidor (who went on to make The Big Parade and The Crowd). All the films will have live piano accompaniment.
Bayflicks 