SF Urban Film Fest

Be part of a festival that is changing urban planning, making it more engaging, accessible, and equitable. The SF Urban Film Fest is for anyone with a story to tell about the issues in a city: from where and whether people have a place to sleep, to the quality of the air they breathe, to the identities they form and the empowerment they seek.

WHO WE ARE
The SF Urban Film Fest is part of a growing movement in the urban planning community that is leveraging the power of storytelling to create just and equitable cities. The core of our work takes place in the overlapping spheres of narrative, spatial, and social justice. SFUFF sparks discussion and civic engagement around urban issues, framing important policy decisions with our themes. We draw a large audience from the Bay Area and beyond, and our post-screening panel discussions include activists, urban planners, academics, artists, and students. SF Urban Film Fest collaborates with cultural, academic, grass-roots, and civic organizations including the Roxie Theater, SPUR, the University of San Francisco, SFMOMA, Tenderloin Museum, BAVC Media, Young Community Developers in the Bayview, SOMA Pilipinas Cultural Heritage District, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

OUR 2023 FESTIVAL
We are seeking submissions for captivating and thoughtful short films (<30 min) that address urban issues. Documentaries constitute approximately 75% of our programming, but we are open to any format or genre so long as it addresses urban issues in the broad categories listed below. While these are just a starting point and not definitive, please select an area that best fits your film; specifying this will increase the chances that your film will be selected.

- Housing
- Public Health
- Transportation / Mobility
- Economics / Community Development
- Equity / Social Justice
- Environment / Climate Change
- Culture / Community Identity
- Politics / Governance
- Design for Disability Justice

We aim to amplify voices that are often unheard and encourage filmmakers with diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences to submit.

Pending public health directives, we expect most programs will be in-person this season. So please don’t forget to join us at our festival in San Francisco, CA March 6-12, 2023!