Bernal Heights Hosts 18th Annual Film Festival

By Eric Bean

dbean6@mail.ccsf.edu

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema presents free screenings of diverse, local filmmakers’ works in neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and other community-friendly spaces to increase the exposure and recognition of local artists and to heighten appreciation by neighborhood and citywide residents while bringing community together. 

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema’s 2022 season consisted of three nights of films and music. Community members were invited to view the free screenings of locally produced films by seasoned and well-known filmmakers as well as promising new ones. The “Season Kick off” began at the Bernal Heights Playground, consisting of fourteen different films ranging from 2 to 12 minutes in length. The following night “Under the Stars” took place in Precita Park highlighting another thirteen films from 2 to 12 minutes, and the season finale, “Best of Bernal,”  took place at Bernal Heights Park, north slope, showcasing another six films ranging 8 to 25 minutes.

The festival included various free snacks and drink alternatives. However, attendees were also encouraged to bring a picnic with their own food and drinks, as well as folding chairs with low back seats and blankets to keep warm. It’s definitely a family affair with plenty of children and dogs, so next year put it on your calendar and bring the whole family.

Bernal Heights Outdoor cinema is always looking for volunteers to help with various tasks before, during and after each year’s events. And for filmmakers,  keep in mind, there are a wide range of film styles including, shorts, longer-length features, narratives, documentary film, video and multimedia formats. So, if you’d like to have your project considered for next year’s line up, contact info@bhoutdoorcine.org.