SFFILM

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.

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

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

• Film festival exhibitions
• Documentary film programs
• Filmmaker grant programs
• Media education programs
• Film residency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $100 (Film Fan) to $10,000 (Visionary) providing ticket vouchers, discounts, early access, and exclusive screenings.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual screening tickets priced $11-$20 with service fees; Cinevisa all-access passes.
3. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, and institutional foundations supporting filmmaker grants and programs.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship revenue from major sponsors including Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, Dolby, STX Entertainment, and hospitality partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting, signature, hospitality, venue, consumables and media.

• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle is a proud sponsor of SFFILM. Partnership focuses on championing important films that disrupt stereotypes in STEAM fields.
• LucasfilmmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of the San Francisco International Film Festival. Supports film culture and filmmaker programs.
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor supporting film innovation and technology showcase at SFFILM Festival.
• DolbymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature sponsor providing Dolby sound technology for festival screenings.
• NetflixsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
• Apple Original FilmssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
• National GeographicsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of SFFILM Festival programs.
• STX EntertainmentsignatureGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature sponsor of the SFFILM Festival.
• San Francisco Conservatory of MusicsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural institution partner for festival events.
• JCCSF (Jewish Community Center of San Francisco)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for festival programming.
• PalihotelhospitalityGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality sponsor providing accommodation discounts for festival attendees. Located at 417 Stockton St, San Francisco.
• StaypineapplehospitalityGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality sponsor at 580 Geary St, San Francisco with SFFILM discount booking code.
• Beacon GrandhospitalityGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality sponsor at 450 Powell St, Union Square hotel.
• Castro TheatrevenueGTM or Marketing PartnerKey venue partner for SFFILM Festival screenings, hosting major premieres including Star Wars screenings.
• Grand Lake TheatrevenueGTM or Marketing PartnerFestival venue partner for SFFILM screenings.
• BAMPFAvenueGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive as festival venue partner.
• J. Lohr Vineyards & WinesconsumablesGTM or Marketing PartnerWine sponsor for festival events. J. Lohr Wine Center located at 1000 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose.
• Hollywood ReportermediaGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing press coverage and industry visibility.
• DeadlinemediaGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor covering SFFILM events and announcements.
• KQEDmediaGTM or Marketing PartnerBay Area public media partner covering SFFILM events and films.
• VarietymediaGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry publication providing press coverage of SFFILM Festival.
• IndieWiremediaGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm industry coverage of SFFILM events and festival programming.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SFFILMchannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/sffilm
• Instagraminstagram.com/sffilm
• Xx.com/sffilm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SFFILM