SF Frozen Film Festival 2025: Dates, Tickets, and Lineup
Every July, San Francisco chills out—but only in temperature—while heating up in creativity. The 19th annual San Francisco Frozen Film Festival (SFFFF) returns this summer, and it’s shaping up to be one of the coolest cinematic events around.
When and Where
- Dates: July 16–20, 2025
- Locations: Outdoors at The Crossing Outdoor Cinema, 250 Main St (East Cut), plus additional indoor venues around the Mission and Union Square districts
Tickets & Festival Pass
- A VIP All‑Festival Pass goes on sale now and runs out fast. For a one‑time $25 fee, you get access to every screening, plus the opening night party and the full online program.
- Passes are limited (around 200 available) and sales close July 4, 2025 .
Lineup Highlights
The festival’s programming is a rich mix of international and Bay Area indie works:
- Opening Night (July 16, 6 pm): Live music, mixer, and a trio of international shorts, including Moses, a local feature documentary
- July 17: Bay Area Film Collection #2 (7 pm) and LGBTQ+ Shorts (9:10 pm).
- July 18: Bay Area Film Collection #1 and Best Comedic Shorts.
- July 19 (1 – midnight): A full day featuring Experimental Shorts & Visual Art, Short Documentaries, Dramatic Shorts, International Animation, plus skate & surf films—with live Q&As and food trucks.
- July 20: The festival wraps online, with virtual screenings closing at midnight.
Expect surprises in documentary, experimental cinema, LGBTQ+ stories, comedy, animation, and surf/skate culture. One standout mention: Haagua, a Native American surf film, and the environmental feature Tides of Change have already sparked buzz.
Why It Matters
- The festival champions independent voices and carries acclaim: named one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker, and deemed “Best Film Festival Deal in Town” by the San Francisco Chronicle.
- It’s powered by a nonprofit mission: pushing entryways to film for youth and underrepresented creators. Beyond screenings, it incorporates youth education, live art & music events, and supports filmmakers through Q&As and programming .
What You Should Know
- Dress warmly—summer nights in San Francisco are famously brisk; layers are a must for outdoor screenings.
- Festivals passes are affordable (just $25!), and guarantee entry to everything: films, parties, and online access.
- It’s a rare chance to engage directly with creators. From local Bay Area talent to filmmakers worldwide, you can engage through panels, Q&As, and real‑time conversation.
Whether you’re a cinephile or a local looking for creative summer nights, the SFFFF offers it all! It is a lively, thoughtful mix of films and performances. Mark your calendar (July 16–20), snag that $25 pass before July 4, and prepare for 5 nights of cool films.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of specific films, filmmaker interviews, or tips for making the most of the festival!
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