Grolsch Film Works is a division of the Grolsch lager and beer company and were the sponsors of the opening night festivities. Grolsch Film Works’ mission is to celebrate the world of independent film making by hosting screenings around the world, giving film makers the opportunity to give their pitch for the potential of funding and helping the future film makers of the world realize their creative visions. Grolsch were very generous hosts, setting up a bevy of events for the attendees to experience and partake in.
The evening started out at San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater where the festival kicked off with the opening film, Beginners. Press and onlookers alike braved the chilly winds of San Francisco in order to catch a glimpse and chance to speak with San Francisco Film Society members as well as the film’s director and stars. As the guests started to arrive, the anticipation for the film grew and the events of the night as well as the festival itself, officially started.
First to take the stage was San Francisco Film Society President of the Board, Pat McBaine. McBaine talked a bit about the festival and the achievements made by the Film Society’s Executive Director, Graham Leggat. Under the five years that Leggat has been Executive Director, the society has experienced an increase in staff, in membership and in budget, which has also been balanced. Leggat then took the stage and quite proudly talked a bit regarding the festival itself and how it is the oldest film festival in the Americas, hosting 191 films this year. Leggat was also proud to announce that this year’s Peter J. Owens Acting Award will be awarded to none other than Terence Stamp.
Watching a film among an audience that included that film’s writer/director, various members of the press, budding film makers and those who just enjoy a good movie was an amazing feeling and one I’ll not soon forget.
The rapport between star and director was something to behold in that you could see how close these two men had become during the course of filming. The Q & A may have been for the masses at the theater, but it felt more like witnessing an intimate conversation between two close friends. Once the exchange of silly stories from filming finished, it was time to see what else Grolsch had in mind for the evening.
As the party waged on, the honored guests of the night, quite stealthily arrived. Both Mike Mills and Ewan McGregor made their way through the crowd talking with people as they approached, graciously accepting congratulations and handshakes. As the night wound down, it was time to take our leave. We headed back to our hotel buzzing with the events of the evening. I couldn’t help but think that if a night like this was just the start of the festival, what must the duration be like? Thankfully this is an annual event that will hopefully continue on for another 54 years and beyond.
HeyUGuys would like to personally thank Grolsh Film Works for making this evening possible. We would also like to thank Rami and Lucy with Frank PR for all of the hospitality that was shown to us. It was an unforgettable evening and HeyUGuys was honored to have been involved with it.
*All photos courtesy of Brandi Anderson