SFFILM
SFFILM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1957 in San Francisco that operates the longest-running film festival in the Americas, serving 50,000+ annual attendees, 20,000+ students, and nearly 800 filmmakers through film exhibition, youth education, and artist development programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SFFILM does
SFFILM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1957 in San Francisco, operating under the legal name San Francisco Film Society and doing business as SFFILM. The organization operates the San Francisco International Film Festival — the longest-running film festival in the Americas (69 years, with the 70th edition announced for April 22–May 2, 2027) — alongside the Doc Stories documentary festival and the Awards Night fundraiser. Its offerings span three program pillars: film exhibition; filmmaker development through the FilmHouse Residency (the only year-round filmmaker residency of its kind in the United States) and grant programs including the SFFILM Rainin Grant, Documentary Film Fund, Sloan Science in Cinema Fellowship, and Filmmakers with Disability Grant; and youth education through Schools at the Festival (since 1991), Youth Filmmakers Camp, and Family Programming. The organization serves film enthusiasts (50,000+ annual attendees), Bay Area students and teachers (20,000+ served annually), and nearly 800 filmmakers supported since 2008.
SFFILM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SFFILM
- Legal name
- San Francisco Film Society
- Website
- https://sffilm.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SFFILM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1957 in San Francisco that operates the longest-running film festival in the Americas, serving 50,000+ annual attendees, 20,000+ students, and nearly 800 filmmakers through film exhibition, youth education, and artist development programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SFFILM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film Festival and Cultural Arts Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers) (MPADAKAH)
Keywords
Where SFFILM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
SFFILM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $100 (Film Fan) to $10,000 (Visionary) providing ticket vouchers, discounts, early access, and exclusive screenings.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual screening tickets priced $11-$20 with service fees; Cinevisa all-access passes.
- Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, and institutional foundations supporting filmmaker grants and programs.
- Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship revenue from major sponsors including Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, Dolby, STX Entertainment, and hospitality partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission ticket |
| Subscription | Annual | Film Fan membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Star membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Director membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Storyteller membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Producer membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Auteur membership tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Visionary membership tier |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SFFILM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SFFILM operates a nonprofit film arts organization hosting the San Francisco International Film Festival (the longest-running film festival in the Americas), year-round film exhibitions including Doc Stories and Awards Night, and artist development programs including the FilmHouse Residency, multiple filmmaker grant programs (Rainin Grant, Documentary Film Fund, Sloan Science in Cinema Initiative), and youth education initiatives (Schools at the Festival, Youth Filmmakers Camp, Family Programming). The organization connects audiences, students, and filmmakers through curated film culture experiences.
Product overview
SFFILM is a nonprofit film arts organization operating as a unified program portfolio rather than a modular software platform. The organization offers film exhibition programs (San Francisco International Film Festival, Doc Stories, Awards Night), filmmaker development services (FilmHouse Residency, grant programs including the Rainin Grant and Sloan Science in Cinema Initiative), and youth education programs (Schools at the Festival, Youth Filmmakers Camp, Family Programming). Supporting infrastructure includes SFFILM Membership tiers, ticket products (Cinevisa, Ticket Packs), and Accessibility Services. The organization has distributed over $10 million to nearly 800 filmmakers since 2009.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- San Francisco International Film Festival: The longest-running film festival in the Americas, hosted annually by SFFILM
- Doc Stories
- SFFILM Makers
- FilmHouse Residency
- Awards Night
Products and services
- San Francisco International Film Festival
- Doc Stories
Quantifiable outcome
- $10 million+ distributed to filmmakers since 2009
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SFFILM
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SFFILM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SFFILM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting, signature, hospitality, venue, consumables and media.
- GooglecoreGoogle is a proud sponsor of SFFILM. Partnership focuses on championing important films that disrupt stereotypes in STEAM fields.
- LucasfilmmajorMajor sponsor of the San Francisco International Film Festival. Supports film culture and filmmaker programs.
- Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)majorMajor sponsor supporting film innovation and technology showcase at SFFILM Festival.
- DolbymajorSignature sponsor providing Dolby sound technology for festival screenings.
- NetflixsupportingSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
- Apple Original FilmssupportingSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
- National GeographicsupportingSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
- STX EntertainmentsignatureSignature sponsor of the SFFILM Festival.
- San Francisco Conservatory of MusicsupportingCultural institution partner for festival events.
- JCCSF (Jewish Community Center of San Francisco)supportingCommunity partner for festival programming.
- PalihotelhospitalityHospitality sponsor providing accommodation discounts for festival attendees. Located at 417 Stockton St, San Francisco.
- StaypineapplehospitalityHospitality sponsor at 580 Geary St, San Francisco with SFFILM discount booking code.
- Beacon GrandhospitalityHospitality sponsor at 450 Powell St, Union Square hotel.
- Castro TheatrevenueKey venue partner for SFFILM Festival screenings, hosting major premieres including Star Wars screenings.
- Grand Lake TheatrevenueFestival venue partner for SFFILM screenings.
- BAMPFAvenueUC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive as festival venue partner.
- J. Lohr Vineyards & WinesconsumablesWine sponsor for festival events. J. Lohr Wine Center located at 1000 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose.
- Hollywood ReportermediaMedia sponsor providing press coverage and industry visibility.
- DeadlinemediaMedia sponsor covering SFFILM events and announcements.
- KQEDmediaBay Area public media partner covering SFFILM events and films.
- VarietymediaEntertainment industry publication providing press coverage of SFFILM Festival.
- IndieWiremediaFilm industry coverage of SFFILM events and festival programming.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SFFILM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New York Film Festival (Film at Lincoln Center): NYFF operates within Film at Lincoln Center, running an annual festival alongside year-round repertory screenings and filmmaker programming. Comparable as a curated film exhibition and educational nonprofit.
- Tribeca Festival: Tribeca is a major U.S. film festival with industry programming, immersive sections, and creator support initiatives. It competes with SFFILM for premieres, talent appearances, and sponsor engagement.
- Film Independent: Film Independent runs the Spirit Awards and year-round filmmaker labs, fiscal sponsorship, and education programs for indie filmmakers. Highly comparable to SFFILM's artist development and grant portfolio.
- Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): TIFF is a major annual film festival with year-round programming, industry summits, and filmmaker development initiatives. It competes with SFFILM for prestige films, sponsor dollars, and audience attention within North America.
- Sundance Institute: Sundance is the most directly comparable nonprofit arts organization, running a flagship film festival alongside year-round filmmaker labs, grants, and residency programs. Like SFFILM, it combines exhibition, education, and artist development under one roof.
- International Documentary Association (IDA): IDA supports documentary filmmakers through grants, conferences, and advocacy, and partners closely with SFFILM's Doc Stories festival. Highly comparable on the documentary programming and grant-administration side.
- Telluride Film Festival: Telluride is an annual Labor Day weekend festival renowned for premieres and curated programming. Comparable to SFFILM's festival as a prestige-focused exhibition model rather than a year-round operating org.
Broad incumbents
- SXSW Film & TV: SXSW is a much larger, multi-vertical festival combining film, music, and technology. Competes with SFFILM for tech and studio sponsorships and for independent film premieres.
- American Film Institute (AFI): AFI is a larger, established institution with conservatory education, festivals (AFI FEST), and preservation programs. Overlaps with SFFILM in exhibition, education, and filmmaker development but at a broader national scale.
Regional players
- BAMPFA (UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive): BAMPFA is a Bay Area film exhibition venue and SFFILM venue partner that runs year-round repertory cinema programming. Operates in the same regional market and serves overlapping cinephile audiences.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SFFILM social profiles
Digital presenceSFFILM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SFFILM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
SFFILM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SFFILM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SFFILM
What does SFFILM do?
SFFILM operates a nonprofit film arts organization hosting the San Francisco International Film Festival (the longest-running film festival in the Americas), year-round film exhibitions including Doc Stories and Awards Night, and artist development programs including the FilmHouse Residency, multiple filmmaker grant programs (Rainin Grant, Documentary Film Fund, Sloan Science in Cinema Initiative), and youth education initiatives (Schools at the Festival, Youth Filmmakers Camp, Family Programming). The organization connects audiences, students, and filmmakers through curated film culture experiences.
Is SFFILM a public or private company?
SFFILM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SFFILM founded?
SFFILM was founded in 1957. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SFFILM based?
SFFILM is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does SFFILM make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales, donations and Grants and corporate Partnerships.
Who are SFFILM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New York Film Festival (Film at Lincoln Center), Tribeca Festival, Film Independent, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Sundance Institute, International Documentary Association (IDA) and Telluride Film Festival. Broad incumbents are SXSW Film & TV and American Film Institute (AFI). BAMPFA (UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive) is listed as a regional player.
Does SFFILM have an API?
No public API is recorded for SFFILM.
What industry is SFFILM in?
SFFILM's product category is Film Festival and Cultural Arts Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAKAD, Film Festivals & Festival Organizers, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAJ, Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 51213 and its SIC code is 7830.