Events
The Santa Cruz Film Festival invites you to celebrate the universal language of film, music and entertainment. Throughout this year’s Festival, Santa Cruz’s finest venues and our proud sponsors will deliver memorable nights, some very cool music, and unique and provocative educational panels.
It’s not just a Film Festival, it’s an experience!
Click here for a printable and downloadable events and program guide.
SCFF FILMMAKER HUB
903 Pacific Avenue
OPEN DAILY STARTING MAY 1: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Get information, purchase tickets and passes, meet up with friends, and enjoy the downtown Santa Cruz scene. Unwind, enjoy the Festival vibe, and get acquainted with Festival staff, volunteers, sponsors, educators, filmmakers, and actors. Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions and direct you to local restaurants, clubs, galleries, retail spots, and other points of interest.
EVENT SCHEDULE
NIGHTLY, SUNDAY, MAY 8 – THURSDAY, MAY 12
SCFF FILMMAKER MEET & GREET
Motiv, 1209 Pacific Avenue
9:00 PM
Meet and mingle with the talented and creative artists whose work is being featured in this year's Festival.
Show your Festival Pass or ticket stub from that day and receive a complementary glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres.
DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 9 – THURSDAY, MAY 12
WILD CARD WEEKDAYS
The Nickelodeon, 210 Lincoln Street
11:45 AM each day, $3.00
Attention film lovers and risk takers! SCFF is happy to offer up Wild Card Weekdays. From Monday, May 9 - Thursday, May 12 each day at 11:45 AM, SCFF will present one of the best films in our program for a low $3.00 ticket price. The catch? It's a mystery. We won't announce what film is screening until the day before.
Sign up for our mailing list or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. We will announce the Wild Card film on all 3.
The Wild Card choice will be made from the films that have already screened during the Festival. No need to worry about having a ticket to the same film later in the week.
THURSDAY, MAY 5
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center, 705 Front Street
9:30 PM, $20/$16 Students/Seniors (65+)
Ticket price includes film and gala admission.
Immediately following the screening of Prairie Love, join us at MAH to celebrate the launch of our 10th season. Meet and mingle with filmmakers and other film lovers while listening to music, enjoying a beverage, and feasting on culinary delights provided by local merchants.
FRIDAY, MAY 6
THE CATALYST FILM + CONCERT
The Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Avenue
7:30 PM, $30 in advance, $35 at the door
Purchase online or at The Catalyst box office. No tickets will be available at the Filmmaker Hub.
This is a ticketed event for all attendees including Festival Passholders. The first 50 SCFF 2011 Festival Passholders will receive a $10 discount off of the event ticket price only at The Catalyst box office with your pass.
The Santa Cruz Premiere screening of The Catalyst will be held at The Catalyst and will be followed by an evening of music with long time Rock & Roll favorites, SNAIL!, featuring renowned band members, Bob O’Neill, Ken Kraft, and Don Baldwin, and Bret Bloomfield (Jefferson Starship). This evening promises to be a celebration that Santa Cruz will not soon forget.
SATURDAY, MAY 7
PANEL: THE INTERSECTION OF ART & TECHNOLOGY
Community Television of Santa Cruz County, 816 Pacific Avenue
11:30 AM, FREE
Technology experts and artists will discuss the role of new technologies in the creation of art, music and literature, how technology molds an individual artist’s work, and the impact on how art is distributed and accessed by consumers.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
PANEL: FILM SCHOOL: WHAT OF IT?
Community Television of Santa Cruz County, 816 Pacific Avenue
2:30 PM, FREE
Teachers from California universities will discuss their individual school’s programs, why go to film school, and what is the future of film schools. A great overview for any potential film students, or filmmakers wanting more education while pursuing their craft.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
PANEL: RIGHTS, REVENUE AND CONTROL
Digital Media Factory, 2809 Mission Street
6:00 PM, FREE
This panel of experienced entertainment attorneys will discuss the fundamental rights of the creative artist; retaining control of the distribution and publication of artistic work; and best practices in realizing revenue from performances, renderings and artistic products.
SATURDAY, MAY 14
CLOSING NIGHT AWARDS CEREMONY
Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue
7:30 PM, $20/$16 Students/Seniors (65+).
Presentation of the Jury Prizes and Audience Awards before the screening of Ruffo.
