SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival

SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival (formerly San Antonio Underground Film Festival) is one of oldest film festivals in Texas. One of San Antonio’s cultural institutions, this non-profit festival is held annually (in the month of June) in the heart of downtown San Antonio in Hemisfair Park at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico (under the shadow of the Tower of Americas). The 14th SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival was held JUNE 19 – 22, 2008.

History

AFILM – San Antonio Film Festival

Created in 1994 as the Golden Shower Video Festival, which sported a logo of a naughty-looking angel transformed itself over time into the San Antonio Underground Film Festival and then finally into SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival. This boutique festival screens underground shorts and independent features from around the world.

Founded by Adam Rocha, the original name and inspiration for the film festival was the “Golden Shower of Hits” and this film fest retains an irreverent attitude towards Hollywood’s commercial products -- definitely the only film festival in the world that awards a low-rider bike as the grand prize. The mission of SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival is to serve as an accessible and inclusive platform for artist in the category of cinema and provide cinematic culture to a diverse audience. The San Antonio Film Festival showcases film from around the world while nurturing, fostering, and developing filmmakers of all ages.

Over the past years, The SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival has had different faces and various locations, many of which are considered historical landmarks of San Antonio to local residents like the Cameo Theater, Wong Grocery Store, The Southwest School of Arts & Crafts, the Alameda Theater, Sunset Station, Alamo Drafthouse at Westlakes, Aztec Theater, & the Instituto Cultural de Mexico.

The 2008 winners:SAFILM GRAND PRIZE AWARDAdventures of Power 96 minDir: Ari Gold Los Angeles, CA SAFILM AUTEUR AWARDCrawford 74 minDir: David Modigliani Austin, TX

SAFILM AUTEUR AWARDReborn: New Orleans Schools 88 minDir: Drea Cooper Mill Valley, CA