Riding high after winning high honors at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and earning a distribution deal with Focus Features, Dìdi came home to have its Bay Area premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 24.
The opening night screening and party brought out the support of many who were excited to celebrate the film’s writer-director, Sean Wang. Among those in attendance was San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who in her opening speech, encouraged continued support for filmmakers bringing production to the area.
As part of his ongoing celebration of SAG-AFTRA member Joan Chen, Wang sported a “Joan Chen” T-shirt during the screen. Chen, a Bay Area-based performer, is a noted Chinese American actor and producer with nearly 100 acting credits in roles such as The Last Emperor (1987) and Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl (1998). During Dìdi’s initial festival circuit run, Chen was given a special tribute in honor of her career.
Set and shot in Fremont, Dìdi is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story that casts newcomers alongside veteran performers who provide a flawless ensemble performance together. The Q&A session with the cast and crew following the screening at the Lucasfilm Premier Theater focused on their preparation with the film creators in crafting the storytelling through character development and editing shot selections in real-time.
SF Film concluded its opening night festivities with a party at Fort Mason Center Gallery 308.
SF Film is the longest-running annual film festival in the Americas. While the festival, now in its 67th year, attracts a large global audience, it celebrates and supports hometown filmmakers through its FilmHouse Residency program, grants and funding, and screenings at local venues.
Photo: The cast of Dìdi with writer-director Sean Wang, center, at the Lucasfilm Premier Theater on April 24. ‘Didi’ was screened on opening night for the 67th San Francisco International Film Festival.
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