69th San Francisco International Film Festival
When: Friday, April 24, through May 4.
Where: San Francisco: Castro Theatre, 420 Castro St.; Premier Theater at One Letterman, 1 Letterman Drive # B; Marina Theatre, 2149 Chestnut St.; Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St.; San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 200 Van Ness Ave. • Berkeley: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2155 Center St. • Oakland: Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave.
Programs: 79, featuring films from 40 countries.
Opening night: Friday, April 24, Castro Theatre: Kent Jones’ “Late Fame” (5:30 p.m.), about an aging poet’s newfound popularity starring Greta Lee (in person), followed by opening night party at the Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St., S.F.; and Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” (8:30 p.m.), about the sexcapades of two couples (Wilde and Seth Rogen; Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) during one night in a San Francisco apartment.
Centerpiece: April 28, Grand Lake Theatre: “I Love Boosters” (6:30 p.m and 9:30 p.m.) Unique comedy by Oakland filmmaker Boots Riley (in person, with selected cast) about a Bay Area shoplifting gang.
Closing night: May 4, Castro Theatre: “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” (7 p.m.), the 1980 science fiction classic, with actor Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) in person.
Tickets: $16-$19 for general admission programs; premium priced programs vary. Note: When a show is listed as “at rush,” all advance tickets have sold out. But rush tickets may be available on a first-come, first-served basis to those standing in line at the venue 30-60 minutes before showtime. For a full schedule, tickets and more information, visit www.sffilm.org.