The San Francisco Film Society has long been committed to more than just the passive viewing of films on the big screen. Through over half a century of film exhibition, nearly two decades of youth education programs and in the first year of fiscal sponsorship services (previously under the banner of Film Arts Foundation), the Film Society continues to curate programs and nurture new film projects that have the potential to effect real change. Now more than ever, filmmakers are producing powerful films that aim to raise awareness, influence opinion, change behavior, encourage action and even instigate social movements. By bringing these works to Bay Area audiences—including thousands of elementary, middle and high school students—each year, the Film Society plays a part as advocate, catalyst and change agent for the many causes they bring to light.

The list of causes to the right represents all those that SFFS has identified in recent films exhibited and current fiscally sponsored projects. Each Cause page identifies those films—including films in this years SF International Film Festival— and lists additional information and links that illustrate impacts. In addition, at the bottom of each Cause page is a list of resources/links related to that particular cause.



About Causes
Learn how the Film Society works to champion films of social and cultural importance, generates new and larger audiences, and encourages discourse and action on a local, national and international scale. Read more...

About Impacts
Learn how the Film Society strives to provide an even more robust platform for filmmakers to find their audiences and to effect change. Read more...

Cause-Related Projects
Browse a full list of cause-related projects, organized by subject, with relevant details about films that we have exhibited or fiscally sponsored. Read more...

Case Studies
Discover how some filmmakers have crafted powerful outreach plans for their films to maximize their impact. Read more...

Resources
A growing list of links to funders, organizations and other groups that are exploring the impacts of creative media and how to measure them. Read more...