The 24th annual festival will showcase more than 100 films over five days, with related celebratory events at expanded locations.
Focusing on global social issues with a variety of perspectives, the 24th annual San Diego International Film Festival is set to open with a kickoff party and screening of “After the Hunt” at 5:30 pm Wednesday, Oct 15, at The Lot La Jolla.
The festival continues through Sunday, Oct 19, with dozens of screenings and other events, mostly at AMC La Jolla 14 at Westfield UTC and the annual “Night of the Stars Tribute” at 5:30 pm Thursday, Oct 16, at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla.
SDIFF is also bringing back “Party With a Purpose” after a multi-year hiatus Friday, Oct 17 at the Belly Up in Solana Beach to raise money for its education program.
The screenings run morning to night, with an expanded festival lounge with music and drinks.
“We really are creating a much more immersive … experience,” said SDIFF chief executive and artistic director Tonya Mantooth.
At Night of the Stars, SDIFF will honor BAFTA and Emmy-winning actor Mark Hamill (“The Life of Chuck,” “Star Wars”) with the prestigious Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence.
Preceding the award, Peck’s daughter, SDIFF board member Cecilia Peck, will “give a heartfelt tribute about her dad,” Mantooth said.
Peck was a La Jolla native who co-founded La Jolla Playhouse amidst a career as one of the most popular film stars from 1940-1970.
Peck “has a huge footprint and imprint in La Jolla and San Diego,” Mantooth said. “Not only did he have this spectacular portfolio as an actor, but he also was such an advocate for the underserved, for standing up against bias and racism.”
Also honored at the tribute night will be versatile actor John Magaro (“September 5,” “The Agency”), and Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”).
Matlin has been “such an advocate in the deaf community,” Mantooth said, noting Matlin lobbied successfully for closed captioning services.
The combination of acting prowess and social justice advocacy is reflected in the films curated for SDIFF, Mantooth said.
“Film … allows you to see something from another perspective,” she said, adding it’s important to her as SDIFF’s leader “to build an environment where it’s really more about bridging the divide and not increasing the divide.”
By showcasing films on global societal issues from different perspectives, “we can find … a sense of shared humanity,” Mantooth said. “Once you have that, you can start to have a dialogue. You can start to have that connection and … a solution.”
Check SDIFF schedules and purchase tickets at sdfilmfest.com.Looking for more La Jolla events? Head to our Events page for the best goings-on.
