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San Francisco Film Society adds screens to its annual film festival with launch of year-round online screening room, Apple TV and iOS App

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San Francisco, CA — April 20, 2016 — The San Francisco Film Society (SFFS) announced today that it is introducing new mobile apps that allow SFFS members to stream select feature films, shorts and events from the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival on Apple TV and their iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. The new apps coincide with the re-launching of its Online Screening Room web platform. In addition to more than ten Festival films, the Online Screening Room offers red-carpet interviews, Q&As with film festival talent, and fresh behind-the-scenes content from the 2016 Festival, which takes place April 21–May 5. The Online Screening Room website and apps are available now.

The Online Screening Room is available exclusively to Film Society members on the web, and the iOS and Apple TV apps are available to download free on iTunes. Members can access Film Festival content by downloading the SFFS Online Screening Room app and logging into their membership accounts. Streaming content on the website and app will be available to SFFS members for a limited time. The web platform and app have been created in association with FORA.tv, a San Francisco-based video production and marketing company.

“This more robust Online Screening Room and the new apps will make it more convenient for Film Society members to enjoy highly curated global cinema, anytime, anywhere,” said Noah Cowan, Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society. “We host the longest-running film festival the Western Hemisphere, but we keep innovating. We’re excited to offer one of the richest online film festival experiences in the industry, to meet the ravenous cinematic appetites of our loyal audiences.”

The Film Society’s Online Screening Room is an additional SFFS membership benefit, which starts at $70 per year. Other year-round member benefits include early access and discounts on all Film Society events, private members-only screening opportunities, invitations to exclusive member preview parties, and more. The Film Society will provide enhanced programming for the Online Screening Room, including at least one new feature-length film per month, plus shorts and videos from Film Festival events past and present. More information about Film Society membership can be found at sffs.org/membership.

FEATURE FILMS

And when I die, I won't stay dead (SFIFF 2016) – Billy Woodberry, USA, 90 min. – available May 4

The Apostate (SFIFF 2016) – Federico Veiroj, Spain/France/Uruguay, 80 min. – available April 27

Home Care (SFIFF 2016) – Slávek Horák, Czech Republic/Slovakia, 92 min. – available May 2

Leaf Blower (SFIFF 2016) – Alejandro Iglesias Mendizábal, Mexico, 96 min. – available April 25

Manos Sucias (SFFS-supported) – Josef Wladyka, USA/Colombia, 82 min. – available April 20

Neither Heaven nor Earth (SFIFF 2016) – Clément Cogitore, France/Belgium, 103 min. – available May 4

Salero (SFIFF 2016) – Mike Plunkett, USA, 76 min. – available May 3

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (SFFS-supported) – Chloé Zhao, USA, 98 min. – available April 20

The White Knights (SFIFF 2016) – Joachim Lafosse, France/Belgium, 112 min. – available April 29

SHORT FILMS

The Boatman (SFIFF 2016) – Zack Godshall, USA, 14 min. – available May 5

Glove (SFIFF 2016) – Alexa Lim Haas & Bernardo Britt, USA, 6 min. – available May 3

In Attla's Tracks (SFIFF 2016) – Catharine Axley, USA, 23 min. – available May 5

My Aleppo (SFIFF 2016) – Melissa Langer, USA, 19 min. – available May 4

Passing Orion (SFIFF 2016) – Sean Thonson, Canada, 8 min. – available April 30

The Send-Off (SFIFF 2016) – Patrick Bresnan & Ivete Lucas, USA, 13 min. – available April 30

Someone Is Happy Somewhere (SFIFF 2016) – Alvaro Furloni & Mario Furloni, Brazil, 19 min. – available May 5

Splotch (SFIFF 2016) – Dan McHale, USA, 4 min. – available May 3

When You Awake (SFIFF 2016) – Jay Rosenblatt, USA, 12 min. – available April 30

New content from will be made available on the Online Screening Room throughout the year, including films from the San Francisco International Film Festival and the SFFS Fall Season, Filmmaker360-supported projects and other hits from the international festival circuit selected by Film Society curatorial staff. Films will be available live on the Online Screening Room for a limited time. Members will be notified of new films and expiring content online and in their weekly Picture Talk email newsletter.

Films from SFIFF will be available on the screening room once they have had their final screening at the Festival, subject to approval by their directors. An estimated 22 feature-length Festival films and shorts will be available. To learn more, go to watch.sffs.org. To download the iOS apps, search for “San Francisco Film Society” on iTunes and Apple TV. For general information visit sffs.org.

59th San Francisco International Film Festival

The 59th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 21–May 5 at the Castro Theatre, the Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, the Roxie Theater and the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco and BAMPFA in Berkeley. Held each spring for 15 days, SFIFF is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities, featuring nearly 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards with nearly $40,000 in cash prizes and upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests.

San Francisco Film Society

The San Francisco Film Society champions the world’s finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Building on a legacy of nearly 60 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the local audiences, SFFS is now a national leader in film exhibition, media education and filmmaker services.

The Film Society presents more than 100 days of film exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 11,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers at all stages of their careers.

The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Membership provides access to discounts, private events and a wealth of other benefits.

For more information visit sffs.org.

FORA.TV

FORA.tv is a San Francisco-based digital media company that works with more than 500 organizations, including WIRED Magazine, Oracle, NYU, the San Francisco Film Society, Vanity Fair, Politico and the New Yorker.

FORA.tv helps organizations and brands reach new audiences and increase revenues from live streams, social video campaigns, pay-per-view, sponsorship fulfillment, and broadcast quality production.

Founded in 2006, the company is led by CEO Bob Appel and Chairman William R. Hearst III.

This press release is available online at sffs.org/press/releases.

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