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Press Room

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Press Contact

Anita Monga, Artistic Director Tel: 510-843-4245

Press Accreditation

Journalists who are under assignment to cover the festival may apply for a press accreditation online.

Press Releases

September 15, 2011 A.C.T. and San Francisco Silent Film Festival Host
Silent Film Fridays for ONCE IN A LIFETIME American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is excited to partner with the San Francisco Silent Film Festival (SFSFF) to present screenings of short silent films before select Friday night performances of its season opener, ONCE IN A LIFETIME… (PDF) read more…

July 14, 2011 San Francisco Silent Film Festival to Present
Abel Gance’s Legendary Masterpiece NAPOLEON The San Francisco Silent Film Festival announces today that it will present the U.S. premiere of Abel Gance’s legendary NAPOLEON… (PDF) read more…

May 25, 2011 San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s
16th Annual Festival Schedule PDF Click to download/view the 16th Annual Festival Schedule PDF! read more…

May 25, 2011 San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s
16th Annual Festival Presskit PDF Click to download/view the 16th Annual Festival Presskit PDF! read more…

January 26, 2011 San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s
Winter Event The New York Times hails the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra’s recent performance … read more…

December 8, 2010 6th Annual Winter Event Announcement The Silent Film Festival is pleased to announce our 6th Annual Winter Event, which will take place on Saturday, February 12 at the Castro Theatre (429 Castro Street, San Francisco).… read more…

September 28, 2010 Voices of Light / The Passion of Joan of Arc The Pacific Film Archive, Paramount Theatre, and the Silent Film Festival are thrilled to announce a presentation of VOICES OF LIGHT/THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, an Oratorio with Silent Film on Thursday, December 2 at 7:30pm at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre. … read more…

June 1, 2010 Academy Awards Silent Film Festival!
Pete Docter to Attend! The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded the Silent Film Festival a $15,000 grant… read more…

May 24, 2010 The Silent Film Festival Announces Its Complete Festival Program We are thrilled to announce the complete program for the 15th Annual SILENT FILM FESTIVAL, July 15-18, 2010. We celebrate this special anniversary with an added day, more programs, and more music!… read more…

April 19, 2010 The Silent Film Festival Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary July 15–18, Castro Theater, San Francisco The San Francisco Silent Film Festival, the largest and most important festival of its kind in North America, will celebrate its 15th Anniversary Festival at the majestic silent-era movie palace the Castro Theatre this July.… read more…

February 12, 2010 Restored METROPOLIS to play San Francisco Silent Film Festival! The much anticipated restoration of Fritz Lang's silent masterpiece Metropolis will have pride of place at the 15th Anniversary San Francisco Silent Film Festival on July 16, 2010… read more…

November 19, 2009 San Francisco Silent Film Festival announces 2009 Winter Event Schedule! The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is pleased to announce several special guests to attend the fifth annual Winter Event on Saturday, December 12 at the Castro Theatre.… read more…

October 21, 2009 San Francisco Silent Film Festival announces 2009 Winter Event Schedule! The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2009 Winter Event to take place on Saturday, December 12… read more…

September 4, 2009 14th Annual Silent Film Festival a Tremendous Success! Festival names new Artistic Director! “We are thrilled with the response to this year’s festival,” said Executive Director Stacey Wisnia… read more…

June 30, 2009 Authors Attend Silent Film Festival The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is pleased to announce the schedule of authors and film historians participating… read more…

June 1, 2009 14th Annual Festival Events Tickets are on sale now for the foremost celebration of silent cinema in the Americas—The 14th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival… read more…


Press Stills

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The San Francisco Silent Film Festival logo

The Cameraman (1928)

The Cameraman: Buster Keaton (Buster), Harry Gribbon (Cop).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Cameraman: Buster Keaton (Buster).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Cameraman: Buster Keaton (Buster), Harry Gribbon (Cop).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Cameraman: Buster Keaton (Buster), Marceline Day (Sally).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Canadian (1926)

The Canadian: Thomas Meighan, Mona Palma.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Canadian: Thomas Meighan (at door).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Docks of New York (1928)

The Docks of New York: Betty Compson, George Bancroft.

Photo courtesy Photofest, NY

The Docks of New York: Betty Compson, George Bancroft.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Erotikon (1920)

Erotikon: Lars Hanson (Preben Wells), Tora Teje (Irene Charpentier).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Erotikon: Lars Hanson (Preben Wells), Tora Teje (Irene Charpentier).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Erotikon: Anders de Wahl (Professor Leo Charpentier), Karin Molander (Marthe).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Erotikon: Lars Hanson (Preben Wells), Tora Teje (Irene Charpentier).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Felix the Cat (1925-1929)

Felix the Cat (post-silent era publicity shot).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Little Toys (1933)

Little Toys: Ruan Lingyu (Sister Ye, on right).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Little Toys: Ruan Lingyu (Sister Ye, on right).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Loves of Pharoah (1922)

The Loves of Pharaoh: Lubitsch’s recreation of an Egyptian palace.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Dagny Servaes (Theonis) on transport.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Lubitsch’s recreation of an ancient Egyptian city.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Cast of thousands.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Emil Jannings (Pharaoh Amenes) Dagny Servaes (Theonis).

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Lubitsch’s recreation of an Egyptian sphinx.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Paul Wegener (King Samlak).

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Dagny Servaes (Theonis).

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Harry Liedtke (Ramphis), Dagny Servaes (Theonis).

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Cast of thousands.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Emil Jannings (Pharaoh Amenes) in foreground.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

The Loves of Pharaoh: Emil Jannings and Ernst Lubitsch on set.

Photo courtesy of Alpha-Omega digital GmbH.

Mantrap (1926)

Mantrap: Clara Bow (Alverna).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Mantrap: Percy Marmont (Ralph Prescott), Clara Bow (Alverna), Ernest Torrence (Joe Easter).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro (1920)

The Mark of Zorro: Douglas Fairbanks (Zorro).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro: Douglas Fairbanks (Zorro), Marguerite De La Motte (Lolita Pulido).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro: Douglas Fairbanks (Don Diego Vega) in white jacket.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro: Douglas Fairbanks (Zorro), Marguerite De La Motte (Lolita Pulido).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro: Douglas Fairbanks (Zorro), Robert McKim (Capitán Juan Ramon).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Mark of Zorro: Robert McKim (Capitán Juan Ramon), Douglas Fairbanks (Zorro), Marguerite De La Motte (Lolita Pulido).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Overcoat (1926)

The Overcoat: Andrei Kostrichkin (Akaki Akakievich).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Overcoat: Andrei Kostrichkin (Akaki Akakievich).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Pandora’s Box (1929)

Pandora’s Box: Louise Brooks (Lulu), Fritz Kortner (Dr. Ludwig Schön).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Pandora’s Box: Louise Brooks (Lulu).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Pandora’s Box: Louise Brooks (Lulu).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Pandora’s Box: Louise Brooks (Lulu), Sig Arno (the instructor).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Pandora’s Box: Louise Brooks (Lulu), Alice Roberts (Countess Anna Geschwitz).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

South (1919)

South: The Endurance trapped in ice.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

South: Ernest Shackleton.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

South: Photographer and Producer Frank Hurley.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Spanish Dancer (1923)

The Spanish Dancer: Pola Negri (Gypsy fortune teller).

Collection EYE Film Instituut Nederland.

The Spanish Dancer: Pola Negri (Gypsy fortune teller), Antonio Moreno (Don Cesar de Bazan).

Collection EYE Film Instituut Nederland.

Stella Dallas (1925)

Stella Dallas: Belle Bennett (Stella Dallas).

Photo courtesy Photofest, NY.

Stella Dallas: Belle Bennett (Stella Dallas) standing.

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Stella Dallas: Belle Bennett (Stella Dallas), Jean Hersholt (Ed Munn).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Wings (1927)

Wings: Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers (Jack Powell), Clara Bow (Mary Preston).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Wings: Gary Cooper (Cadet White).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Wings: Jobyna Ralston (Sylvia Lewis).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

Wings: Clara Bow (Mary Preston).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.

The Wonderful Lie of Nina Petrovna (1929)

The Wonderful Lie of Nina Petrovna: Franz Lederer (Lt. Michael Rostof), Brigitte Helm (Nina Petrovna).

Photo courtesy Photoplay Productions.