The 27th San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) returns February 6-18, 2025, showcasing an exciting lineup of innovative and boundary-pushing cinema. According to KQED arts critic Michael Fox, this year's festival continues its tradition of presenting "audacious, provocative work that challenges conventional wisdom and mainstream assumptions."
Festival Overview
As detailed on the official festival website (sfindie.com), the 2025 program features 80 independent features and shorts, screening at both the Roxie Theater and the Vogue Theater in San Francisco. For those who prefer watching from home, many selections will also be available for streaming online through the festival's virtual platform.
Highlighted Films
Opening Night
- "Pavements"
- Director: Alex Ross Perry
- A documentary exploring the story of the iconic 90s band Pavement
- Opening night feature presentation
Closing Night Double Feature
- "The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lago"
- "Among Neighbors"
- Special closing night presentations
- Available both in-theater and streaming
Featured Shorts
"Draft Night"
- Duration: 11 minutes
- Screening: February 7, 8:45 PM at the Roxie Theater
- Themes: Mental health, wealth, and the commodification of Black athletes
- Also available via streaming platform
"Meet Me in Chinatown"
- Part of "True Stories: Documentary Shorts" program
- Screening: February 8, 12:00 PM at the Roxie Theater
- Available for streaming
- Exploring community and culture in San Francisco's Chinatown
How to Watch
In-Person Screenings
- Roxie Theater
- Historic venue in the Mission District
- Multiple screenings daily
- Vogue Theater
- Classic San Francisco movie house
- Select festival screenings
Virtual Screenings
- Available through festival's Eventive platform
- Stream selected films from home
- Extended viewing windows
- Interactive virtual Q&As
Ticket Information
Individual Tickets
- Range: $5 - $20
- Varies by screening and time
- Special pricing for virtual screenings
Festival Passes
- Options from $90 to $200
- Access levels vary by pass type
- Both in-person and virtual options available
Planning Your Festival Experience
Venues
- Roxie Theater
- Address and directions available on sfindie.com
- Public transit accessible
- Nearby parking options
- Vogue Theater
- Location and accessibility information
- Transportation recommendations
- Area amenities
Virtual Platform
- Access through sfindie2025.eventive.org
- Technical requirements
- Viewing period information
- Support resources
Special Programs
Q&A Sessions
- Filmmaker discussions
- Panel conversations
- Virtual meetups
- Industry talks
Community Events
- Opening night celebration
- Filmmaker lounges
- Virtual networking opportunities
- Closing night events
Supporting the Festival
Ways to support independent film:
- Purchase festival passes
- Attend multiple screenings
- Share on social media
- Consider membership options
Looking Ahead
The festival continues to:
- Support independent filmmakers
- Showcase diverse voices
- Push creative boundaries
- Build community through cinema
For the most current information about screenings, tickets, and virtual access, visit sfindie.com or the festival's Eventive page (sfindie2025.eventive.org). Program details and screening times are subject to change.
Information sourced from SF IndieFest official communications, KQED Arts, and Local News Matters. All screening times and ticket prices should be verified on the festival website.