 "Photo: Courtesy of the San Diego Asian Film Festival")
 "Photo: Courtesy of the San Diego Asian Film Festival")
San Diego is a city renowned for its temperate weather, vast beaches and ample tourist attractions. However, a little-known piece of history about the city is its close relationship with the film industry.
When film production first came to Southern California in the early 1900s it was rumored that a big debate began as to whether the new epicenter of filmmaking would be in Los Angeles or right here in San Diego.
Since then, the sunny city has forged a strong relationship with the movie and television business that has continued to this day.
In celebration of San Diego’s cinematic past and future, several film festivals take place each year within the city’s limits. Here is a look at a few of these fine film festivities:
San Diego Film Festival
Celebrating its ninth year in existence next September, this festival offers a taste of Hollywood glamour to San Diego residents without the nearly 125-mile drive. With past attendees including big-time names such as Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Dreyfuss, William Shatner and Katie Lowes, the San Diego Film Festival offers an opportunity to rub elbows with some of the top industry stars. The award-winning, five-day festival features both American and international films spanning the genres of documentaries, features, music videos and short films — not to mention the parties. For more information on the SDFF visit www.sdff.org.
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Boasting the title of San Diego’s largest film festival the San Diego Asian Film Festival provides a truly cultural experience. This event routinely breaks out of the traditional model of film festivals by featuring auxiliary events that run in conjunction with the more than 200 films. Extra goodies include a showcase of hip-hop dancing, comedy and cancer awareness-targeted origami display. With visual art hailing from more than 20 different countries, the SDAFF truly is a global affair. Visit www.sdaff.org for more information.
San Diego Italian Film Festival
San Diego’s access to Italian culture goes far beyond the neighborhood of Little Italy. A nonprofit organization, the San Diego Italian Film Festival brings Italian films to viewers with a uniquely Italian perspective. Don’t worry, though the films may be in Italian, English-speaking audiences can rest assured that subtitles are in full-effect during the films. With pieces themed around dark personal experiences such as loss and self-discovery, SDIFF is a film festival that isn’t afraid to tackle all facets of human emotion. For more information, visit www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com.
San Diego Jewish Film Festival
A San Diego film-scene staple since 1990, the San Diego Jewish Film Festival attracts more than 20,000 ticket holders each year. Organized and presented through the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, the festival takes place at five locations throughout San Diego. In the past, one festival location has been on campus at San Diego State as part of the Not Quite Kosher Film Festival. The SDJFF also offers more than just movies, as its events include audience discussion with film production staff and scholars as well as a chance to meet some stars. For more information visit www/sdcjc.lfjcc.org/sdjff.
San Diego Women’s Film Festival
Armed with a mission of promoting an outlet for women filmmakers and cinematic representations of women’s struggles and victories, the San Diego Women’s Film Festival is a truly educational event. According to the event planners, the San Diego Women’s Film Foundation, the purpose of the event is to “empower, promote and mentor young women and women filmmakers by developing opportunities to expose the art of filmmaking and to tell women’s stories to broad and diverse audiences.” Though the event is largely for women, by women, everyone is encouraged to get involved. For more information on the SDWFF, visit www.sdwff.org.
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
For everyone who’s a child at heart, there is the San Diego Children’s Film Festival. Operated largely as an event by the Museum of Photographic Arts located in Balboa Park, this event is propelled by the mission of promoting all variations of photographic art media to diverse audiences. This year’s festival showcased more than 200 pieces, took place throughout a 24-day span and was featured in six locations including Comic-Con and the San Diego Museum of Art. Though the title could deceive potential viewers into believing the event is just for children, all those interested in the advancement and appreciation of film, animation and photo are welcome. Visit www.sdchildrensfilm.org for more information on this event.
San Diego Black Film Festival
Established in 2004 under the title of the Noir Film Festival, the relatively young San Diego Black Film Festival acts as an annual source of funds for the non-profit Black Historical Society of San Diego. Having a reputation as one of the fastest growing film festivals of its kind in the country, the SDBFF attracts up-and-coming as well as established African American stars. Independent films are the highlight of the festival, while supplementary events include parties, award ceremonies, appearances and opportunities to meet and chat with industry personnel. More information on the SDBFF can be found at www.sdbff.com.
San Diego Latino Film Festival
With roots stemming back 16 years under the guise of a student film festival, the San Diego Latino Film Festival has moved to the forefront of Latino-themed events. With recent years’ screening numbers posted at an astounding 2,000 films, this event provides a plethora of cultural pieces. Hotshot Hollywood actors such as America Ferrera, John Leguizamo and Diego Luna have been just a few of the numerous guests who’ve attended this film fete. Along with its many exhibitions and events, the SDLFF is also home to Youth Visions, which showcases the work of young talent from both local and national arenas. Visit www.sdlatinofilm.com for more information.
Comic-Con
Although technically a comic book convention more than a film festival, the yearly extravaganza routinely showcases meet-and-greets with actors as well as movie sneak peeks — not to mention the opportunity to dress up in action hero-themed costumes. Though the record-breaking attendance is usually enough to garner the event substantial amounts of press, recent highlights of the world-renowned festival such as an exclusive guest panel with actors and the production staff from the book and film phenomenons “Twilight” and “New Moon” have further rocketed Comic-Con into the mainstream. For more information on Comic-Con, got to www.comic-con.org.
So, before heading up to LA with the intention of attending a star-studded affair, consider the veritable movie reel of film festival options located right here in San Diego.
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