#sfsff2026

SPECIAL PROMO CODE FOR FNF SUPPORTERS

After a two-year hiatus, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival returns for its 29th year to the newly restored Castro Theatre, May 6-10, with a slate of silent classics from around the world. As always, all film screenings will feature live musical accompaniment. The FNF is pleased to be supporting the SFSFF’s screenings of Erich von Stroheim’s Queen Kelly (1929) and Marie M. Harder’s Bookkeeper Kremke (1930).

Queen Kelly opens the festival on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 PM. The late silent-era masterpiece that never was, as well as the last major production entrusted to Erich von Stroheim, has been reconstructed from surviving footage by Milestone Films. Bearing all the Stroheim hallmarks—lush visuals, meticulous attention to detail, and rank corruption at every level of society—it’s also a showcase for Gloria Swanson who runs an emotional gamut from innocent convent girl to hardened brothel keeper. Live musical accompaniment by Eli Denson conducting the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra. Introduction to the film by American film critic and podcast host Wesley Morris.

Bookkeeper Kremke screens Sunday, May 10, at 1:00 PM. This is the only narrative feature completed by director Marie M. Harder, one of the few women to direct in German cinema during the Weimar era. Ukrainian-born Anna Sten makes her German-cinema debut as a daughter coming into her own despite the fury of her tradition-bound father suddenly downsized from middle-class respectability. Music for Bookkeeper Kremke will be provided by pianist and violinist Guenter Buchwald and percussionist Frank Bockius. Film restoration and digital preservation expert Julia Wallmüller of the Deutsche Kinemathek will introduce the film.

The SFSFF has extended a discount to FNF supporters. Use code NOIRSF for a $2 discount for a maximum of 2 tickets per order.

SPECIAL PROMO CODE FOR FNF SUPPORTERS

After a two-year hiatus, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival returns for its 29th year to the newly restored Castro Theatre, May 6-10, with a slate of silent classics from around the world. As always, all film screenings will feature live musical accompaniment. The FNF is pleased to be supporting the SFSFF’s screenings of Erich von Stroheim’s Queen Kelly (1929) and Marie M. Harder’s Bookkeeper Kremke (1930).

Queen Kelly opens the festival on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 PM. The late silent-era masterpiece that never was, as well as the last major production entrusted to Erich von Stroheim, has been reconstructed from surviving footage by Milestone Films. Bearing all the Stroheim hallmarks—lush visuals, meticulous attention to detail, and rank corruption at every level of society—it’s also a showcase for Gloria Swanson who runs an emotional gamut from innocent convent girl to hardened brothel keeper. Live musical accompaniment by Eli Denson conducting the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra. Introduction to the film by American film critic and podcast host Wesley Morris.

Bookkeeper Kremke screens Sunday, May 10, at 1:00 PM. This is the only narrative feature completed by director Marie M. Harder, one of the few women to direct in German cinema during the Weimar era. Ukrainian-born Anna Sten makes her German-cinema debut as a daughter coming into her own despite the fury of her tradition-bound father suddenly downsized from middle-class respectability. Music for Bookkeeper Kremke will be provided by pianist and violinist Guenter Buchwald and percussionist Frank Bockius. Film restoration and digital preservation expert Julia Wallmüller of the Deutsche Kinemathek will introduce the film.

The SFSFF has extended a discount to FNF supporters. Use code NOIRSF for a $2 discount for a maximum of 2 tickets per order.