By Gloria Hubbell Corena

Editor-in-Chief

The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) officially began on April 24th and concluded on May 4th. It brought a vibrant surge of cinematic energy to the Bay Area. For the first time in our publication’s history, The Mariner Times was on the ground with official press accreditation, documenting a night defined by high-profile premieres and a historic return to the Castro Theatre.

The evening featured a dual-headline screening of Kent Jones’s Late Fame and Olivia Wilde’s latest directorial effort, The Invite.

The Press Line: A Moment with Olivia Wilde

Before the lights dimmed, the press line was a hive of activity. Amidst the flashing lights and flurry of reporters, I had the opportunity to speak with Olivia Wilde. Wilde, who directed and stars in the evening’s marquee film The Invite, took a moment to discuss the film’s transition from a Spanish stage play to a San Francisco-set feature.

When I aksed Wilde what she hopes audiences walk away debating, she beamed “people debate what happens in our ending in a way that was intentional and so thrilling…we are all chasing The Graduate ending…you want people to feel a sense of curiosity and engagement in the end… you never know if you are going to achieve that…. my favorite thing is hearing people debate what happens with this relationship in the end of the film.”

Wilde’s presence on the carpet set the tone for the evening, polished yet approachable, and her enthusiasm for bringing this project to a San Francisco audience was palpable.

On Screen: Late Fame and The Invite

The night’s programming offered a masterclass in tonal variety.

Kent Jones’s Late Fame opened the festivities. Starring Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee, the film is a poignant, witty look at a poet’s unexpected brush with “coolness” late in life. Lee’s performance, in particular, grounded the film’s more intellectual themes with genuine heart.

The main event, The Invite, proved to be a sharp, boundary-pushing dramedy. Starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton alongside Wilde, the film navigates the awkward and explosive territory of a dinner party between neighbors.

“It’s (the film) kind of a Rorschach Test, people absolutely project their own relationships onto us, and that’s the most fun.” – Wilde, one on one with The Mariner Times

A Milestone for The Mariner Times

Covering the opening night of SFFILM marks a significant chapter for our campus journalism. Standing alongside veteran critics and international outlets, we were reminded that film isn’t just entertainment, it’s a conversation.

As Wilde mentioned during her introduction, cinema is a “human-made” medium, and being there to witness that humanity firsthand was the perfect start to this year’s festival.

The San Francisco International Film Festival continued through May 4. Check back for our upcoming movie reviews, as The Mariner Times brings art, cinema, and cultures from around the Bay Area.

Anne Lai, Executive Director at SFFILM

Actress and Director, Olivia Wilde

Late Fame Director, Kent Jones

Star of Late Fame, Actress Greta Lee

BTS of the chaos of the press line, The Mariner Times Editor-in-Chief was proud to represent College of Marin among the other local colleges covering the festival.