On the evening of Aug. 18, media and film studies Professor Xandra Castleton took her screenwriting class to attend a film screening in an elegant, dimly lit theater at the The Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio. After it won the 2024 SF Honors award, Director Azazel Jacobs’ latest feature film “His Three Daughters” was screened by SF Film along with a live Q&A panel with the director and actors Elizabeth Olsen and Jovan Adepo.
“His Three Daughters” follows three very different sisters processing the impending death of their father in hospice care. Jacobs described the characters as “sharing… the same room, but they’re in completely separate spaces.”
Sophomore english major, Andrea Duque said the event was “well organized and intimate.”
“This was my first film premiere with a Q&A at the end,” said Duque, “Meeting the writer and director of the film was very exciting!”
Duque said she walked away with a deeper understanding of the work it takes to make movies. “The dialogue in the film was moving and precise yet unlike anything I’ve ever really seen. I would love to attend more film screenings in SF. The love for art and filmmaking as well as the encouragement of it is so apparent just being in the room, and that’s an environment I love and know I can thrive in, especially as an aspiring filmmaker.”
Duque recommended attending SF Film events. “Not only are they just fun and a cool thing to be a part of, but I think they can be great tools for networking and making connections in the film industry. Even if you aren’t planning on pursuing film, I think attending a screening like this is a very special memory for you and your friends!”
Rory Johnston, a sophomore media studies major said she better understood the accessibility of film from attending the screening. Johnston also plans to get more involved in the San Francisco film world, “It’s an incredible experience to be able to connect and interact with people who share your interests in a communal space,” she said.
Castleton said she specifically sought out film festivals in the Bay Area while curating her syllabus. “I think it’s important for students to feel connected to the world that they’re studying and of course to be able to hear [the] writer[s], director[s] and actors talk about the process of developing and producing a film or show.”
For Castleton, the significance of these trips is to give students a firsthand glimpse into the local film scene. “Even if students aren’t going to stay around the Bay Area, it’s really good to know what kind of organizations are out there, and we are so lucky to be in a very film-centric area.”
Castleton said “It’s really fun to have a field trip, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to be in a different environment and get to know some of the students a little bit better, and also a reminder that I think a lot of young people don’t realize how rewarding it is for those of us who have been around a while to share a little bit of what we’ve learned.”
Senior media studies major and vice president of USFtv, Trista Ngo attended the premiere. “Seeing a movie with a community full of cinephiles, though a bit insufferable, was the best experience considering everyone respects the art as much as you do.”
For film lovers and media studies students alike, Ngo recommends seeking out opportunities like these. “It’s an immersive, communal experience that creates a space to discuss real, human experiences. Having filmmakers and actors present [to discuss the film] aids [in] analytical and media literacy practices,” said Ngo.
Castleton wants USF students to know that there are festivals happening almost every week. Past events have included the Jewish Film Fest, the upcoming Cine Latino in October and a silent film fest in January 2025. For those interested in engaging with film or media, Castleton also encouraged students to volunteer or intern, and to do their research about film-related grants or residencies after graduation.
SF Film will host “Doc Stories” from Oct. 17 to 20.
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