20th Anniversary Season
ENJOY three evenings celebrating local filmmakers in community with neighbors, friends, family and film-lovers
Friday, September 8 — Film Crawl on Cortland
6 venues screening
6 different programs
Inclusions Gallery
627 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
A selection of films from the SMALL BITES program of the 3rd Annual San Francisco Queer Film Festival, August 25 – 27
Median 15:00
Drama
Matthew Riutta
A gay activist rallies the queer community after he and a trans activist are assaulted by a group of religious extremists.
Shikata ga Nai (it cannot be helped) 12:00
Drama
Kevin Kodama
A fantasy romance set in the ruins of a Japanese American internment camp where a young couple attempts to reconcile their relationship as ghosts.
Bernal Branch Library 500 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
The Jerk 06:19
Mockumentary
Otto Danielson
A high schooler running for student council who no one wants to vote for and his bizzare campaign.
How to Catch the wind 06:49
Multimedia
Vanessa Smith
Capturing the spirit of the wind
what goes in water 05:50
Documentary
Nivrith Raman, Calvin Iverson, Patrick Holden, Deepak Iyar, Zoe Ivan
An investigation into how water pollution destroys our fragile ecosystems.
another man’s trash 03:59
Documentary
Ellie Wong, Atticus Hansen, Ryan Njuguna, Noor Hamid, Ivana Carroll
As litter fills up our streets, we examine the beauty and reality of San Francisco.
Voices From Camp Reel Stories 05:46
Documentary
Clay Go, Hanh Chu, Rosie
A behind the scenes look at a filmmaking summer camp that empowers girls and gender expansive youth.
Plumbum Nitorem 02:50
Narrative
Katie McNab, Lila Welch, Naomi Scheele, Olivia Westervelt
Two recently unemployed friends find a flyer for a wonderful job offer, however there’s only one spot left.
Feel Uncomfortable 05:00
Narrative
Alma Barreda Kaplan, Zofia Wang, Melina Begin, Jay Joyce, Soledad Rodriguez
A long uncomfortable elevator ride leaves Tim the Trash Man in a state of utter panic and disarray.
Burn 04:13
Narrative
Penelope Malley-Porter, Mila Terry-Koon, Ámela Amago, Kaya Baker
A wealthy teen learns the true intentions behind her father’s paper company and attempts revenge.
“entertain” 03:57
Music Video
Xiarel Guillermo-Cortes, Jasmine Bouyer, Dorothy Perillo-Dutton
A live performance of the song “Entertain” by local experimental hip hop duo Lil Shlurp Shlurp.
Bernal Star Restaurant 410 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
Feel the music, celebrate local heroes, and share the trials of parenthood. These local films are lovingly made by filmmakers with roots in Bolivia, France and Mexico. Their cultural awareness and appreciation is woven into the work they produce.
La Macana 10:00
Drama
Maria Eugenia Mealla
Recently divorced Carmen and Franco work through their fervent relationship to support their daughter Sol when she gets her period for the first time.
The Mission 18:00
Drama
Hélène Goupil
When COVID hit, longtime activist Valerie Tulier-Laiwa knew her neighborhood would be greatly affected. Her personal story isn’t just what brought her here, it’s what keeps her going
Souleros 18:00
Drama
Jesus Cruz
Soulero is a slang term used to describe soul record collectors primarily from the Mexican-American/Chicano community. Meet a group of Northern California record collectors committed to keeping the legacy of many underground soul artists alive.
Progressive Grounds Cafe´ 400 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
Our mission is to celebrate African American cinema and the African cultural diaspora and to showcase a diverse collection of films – from emerging and established filmmakers.
blackness is everything 4:36
Experimental
Alba Roland Mejia
A performative short film that celebrates the diversity of the Black diaspora in the Bay Area.
The Block 24:58
Comedy/Mixed Media
Mimi Chakarova
Inventively funny, absurd and surprising, this film redefines what it means to coexist in a perpetually changing neighborhood.
Reggie and June 12:51
Narrative
Brandon Thomas
A young couple raising a 3-year-old toddler struggle to be sensitive to each other’s cultural traditions and experiences.
SEMCO Engineering 322 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
Black Entrepreneurship and Black Culture have been at the heart of San Francisco’s origin story: from music to food, from veterans to builders and artists. Explore stories from the hillsides of Bernal Heights and beyond where Citizen Film has been collaborating with community partners to share these stories.
Ian James Made 05:00
Documentary
Sadiq Norris
The Two Eighty Project 07:00
Documentary
Sophie Constantinou
Vets Alley 04:00
Documentary
Caron Creighton
Harlem of the West: then and now 15:00
Documentary
Sophie Constantinou
Sarah Zemunski Photography 307 Cortland Ave
Films presented by
FOR ALL AGES — 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Half Return 07:53
Experimental
Matilde Luz Smith
Estranged sisters are confronted by memories of childhood.
A Trace 05:24
Animation
Julietta Zamora Lam
A young girl learns to shed her guilt about her absent father. This student shortfilm features an experimental flat character in a 3D environment with a toony rendered look.
Without You 04:24
Music Video
Samantha Berlanga
Sophia Yau-Week performs her song “Without You.”
The Freeway Greenway 07:10
Documentary
Maura Cotter & David Waldorf
In the Portola District of San Francisco, community members transform a blighted area next to the CA-101 freeway.
Looking Glass 03:08
Experimental
Calixta Lehman
A woman on her way home comes upon a discarded mirror.
The Tenderloin Through My Eyes 04:24
Documentary
Humera Shaikh
A personal reflection and narrative about the Tenderloin Neighborhood of San Francisco.
There Alone 08:38
Experimental
Erin Malley
What happens to us in the moments of our lives when we go in one direction instead of another?
FOR MATURE AUDIENCES — 9:00 pm
Sail Away 07:12
Narrative
Diana Hartman
A disenchanted hatter receives a curious and inspiring visitor.
A suit we wear 13:32
Narrative
Meera Joshi
Anika is about to go on the date of her dreams when she is caught off guard by an unexpected visit from her mother.
Irreversible Imprints 05:41
Narrative
Carlos Manuel Mora
Aurora accompanies her parents to the Castello Ursino museum in Catania, Sicily, but quickly finds their bickering too much.
It’s Jesus! 09:11
Comedy
JD Boxley
A film crew visits Jesus at his new home in Los Angeles!
A Certain Personality 08:59
Documentary
Gaby Scott
A story of four Northern Californian surfers who all share a wildness and passion for the bigger days at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Saturday, September 9 — Under the Stars, Precita Park
We’re back UNDER THE STARS at PRECITA PARK for a night of films that will make you laugh, cry and think!
Film Lineup
Program/schedule is subject to change
Somos Diferentes/ We Are All Different 02:20
Music Video
René Peña-Govea
Three generations of the Peña-Govea family make music together and sing about how their differences make them stronger.
The Simulation 02:07
Animation
Maddy Montoya
A commentary on the culture of society dictating how a person should identify and how societal “norms” are viewed as the “default.”
little T 03:50
Animation
Masha Ellsworth
Follow Alexis on the biggest day of her life – her dream job interview. Can Alexis overcome obstacles and land her dream job?
The Prince’s Dilemma 05:00
Animation
Devon Rowe
The film follows Prince Philip, who must decide to follow the traditional tale expected of him or forge his own “happily ever after.”
Roadkill Jamboree 05:51
Music Video
Meghan G Graham
This stop-motion/ 2D hybrid music video features music from the ska-punk band Suburban Legends. It is a grim yet humorous story highlighting the cost to wild animals caused by our highway systems.
Zoe. A Surf Story 27:02
Documentary
Gaby Scott
A portrait of a teenage surf phenom, who’s pooled an eclectic community of mentors to guide her while she learns the ropes of failure, fear, and self-determination.
Bon Odori 04:37
Animation
Trent Osaki & Sally Thai
Kai, a young Japanese American boy struggling with the loss of his grandmother, tries to navigate his first Obon without her.
C:Hairs 02:11
Animation
Bradley Francis Williams
If you’re going to be a chair for the rest of your life, you may as well be a happy one.
Neutraface 03:38
Narrative
Connor Casey
An address font takes over a community.
Just Ghost Me 06:30
Comedy
Jeff Mizushima
Based on a true story — a metafiction recreation of a humorously failed relationship performed by the original writer of the article.
Leo Y Fernando 12:53
Drama
Jeremy Iván Goei Videla
Two friends struggle to maintain their friendship while facing the contradictions of U.S. immigration policies.
Eco-Hack 16:33
Documentary
Josh Izenberg & Brett Marty
An unconventional field biologist wages a high-tech war against ravens in the Mojave in a last-ditch effort to save the desert tortoise from extinction.
Thursday, September 14 — Best of Bernal, Season Finale and 20th Anniversary Celebration at Brava Theater
The Best of Bernal Season Finale featured the four award-winning films and filmmakers of the 2023, 20th Anniversary season.
Film Lineup
Song from the Third Floor 03:18
Visual poem
Emiko Omori
Homage to my Bernal hood.
AWARDS PRESENTATION
Best of Bernal
EYES UP: A MURAL FOR THE TENDERLOIN 14:58
Documentary
Steve Agnos & Henry Dombey
Precita Eyes muralistas were hired to paint a six-story mural on the side of an affordable housing apartment complex in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
Spirit of Bernal
he had wings 29:00
Documentary
Jeanne Marie Hallacy
Bernal Bright Star
joss lotuses to grandma 06:15
Animation
Stefie Gan
A girl returns to Malaysia after her grandmother’s death. The film explores their bond, the biculturalism of immigration, and the cultural rituals that can help heal grief and the loss of separation.
Good Life Audience
half return
Experimental
Matilde Luz Smith
Estranged sisters are confronted by memories of childhood.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact info@bhoutdoorcine.org
For information about the wide variety of volunteer options, contact volunteer@bhoutdoorcine.org