Relocating the festival itself to September after a virtual showcase during Pride month in June, Frameline44 marked the first Festival for Executive Director James Woolley and the final one for Director of Programming Paul Struthers. Still nominally a virtual festival in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this fall program did feature one in-person Drive-In screening of SF drag maven D'Arcy Drollinger's Shit & Champagne, starring Drag Race winner Alaska.
Frameline44 also marked the first year the Festival partnered with the San Francisco Film Critics Circle to jury the Outstanding First Feature prize, which went to Filippo Meneghetti’s Two of Us. Look for Senior Programmer Peter L. Stein's virtual Q&A with the film's star, German screen legend Barbara Sukowa on Frameline's YouTube channel.
Festival info:
- Frameline44 had an attendance of 89,000 (combined with the Pride Showcase in June).
- Read the launch press release, and the wrap press release.
- View photos from Frameline44 here.
- Watch the Frameline44 trailer here.
- View a video of the Castro Theatre marquee during the height of the pandemic.
Awards:
- Outstanding First Narrative Feature: Two of Us
- Audience Award for Narrative Feature: Rūrangi
- Audience Award for Documentary Feature: Cured
- Audience Award for Short Film: These Thems: Episode 1