What we’re about
### FILM SCREENINGS ON SATURDAYS 4PM!
Check all of our upcoming events and RSVP! https://www.theclarionsf.org/upcoming-events
Held at The Clarion Performing Arts Center on 2 Waverly Pl, San Francisco.
COMMUNITY CINEMA is a space for artists and movie-lovers to gather together and watch local films made in the Bay Area.
Community Cinema attracts many residents of Chinatown, Nob Hill, North Beach and other neighboring districts, as well as college students and young working professionals in the city.
Films shown at Community Cinema range from documentary films about gender, sexuality, war, politics, poetry and arts, to narrative films like rom-com, action thriller and etc.
Since its launch in May 2021, Community Cinema has screened 47 films, and counting! We are grateful to have collaborated with amazing filmmakers like Emmy-Nominated director James Q. Chan, Vietnamese filmmakers Ngoc Le and Tam Ngo and Henry Rosenthal.
Meet Community Cinema Curator, Jeff Giordano
Jeff M. Giordano has curated film series on both coasts of the United States. Since 2004, he has been directing independent documentaries and has interviewed over 180 people for various projects.
In addition to filmmaking, Giordano paints abstract-expressionist art and collaborates on musical projects. Follow Jeff’s artistic endeavors at [jeffmgiordano.com](https://theclarionsf.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eead0190e09be98c59a3ecb34&id=ca0818ba06&e=05936e4f22) & [youtube.com/c/jmgfilms](https://theclarionsf.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eead0190e09be98c59a3ecb34&id=964f0980b6&e=05936e4f22)
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Signal 7 (1984) by Rob Nilsson, Film Screening + Q&AClarion Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA
A historical film: the first small-format video to be blown up to 35mm for theatrical distribution around the world. World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, restored by Pacific Film Archive, 2015.
The first Direct Action Feature Film (shot in 3 days): One night in the life of aging cab drivers Marty and Speed, who have not lost the dream of making it as actors. In the driver's room, they tell truths and lies about exploits out on the streets, and plan to move to LA, where the action is. Then comes the Signal 7, a call signifying a driver in trouble. A friend and fellow driver is robbed and murdered. Dreams and lies don't mean much in the face of the truth.
> "Signal 7 is an unusual, touching, intelligent film...whose haunting theme will linger long after many more expensive films are forgotten...The high level of the performances, by unknown actors, is one of the film's greatest achievements...For all its bleakness, the film utlimately conveys hope. Marty and Speed search for meaning, wealth and a way out, and find instead friendship, humanity and themselves."
- Nina Darnton, The New York Times, May 30, 1986
> “Your film Signal 7 is one of my most favorite films ever and as far as I'm concerned, you are one of the most important American filmmakers in history, one of 3 or 4 of the most important American directors still living.”
– Andre Puca, Film teacher, Emerson College
Q&A with the Director will be live**-**streamed on our YouTube channel
Director Bio
##### Retrospectives and Honors:
##### Rob Nilsson’s work has been honored with retrospectives at prestigious venues such as the Pacific Film Archives, Chicago Institute of Art, and Anthology Film Archives in New York. His films are archived by IndieCollect at UCLA as part of the Sundance Collection.
##### Awards Include:·
##### Camera d’Or – Northern Lights (Cannes Film Festival, 1979), co-directed with John Hanson·
##### Neil Simon Award – Northern Lights screenplay (1980)·
##### Grand Prize – Heat and Sunlight (Sundance Film Festival, 1987)·
##### Green Cine DIVX Film Festival Audience Award – Security (2005)·
##### Milley Award – Achievement in the Arts (City of Mill Valley, 2006)·
##### Filmmaker of the Year – Silver Lake Film Festival (2006)·
##### Marlon Riggs Award – 9 @ Night Film Series (San Francisco Film Critics Circle, 2008)·
##### Masters Award – Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Yerevan (2009)·
##### Judges Special Citation Director – Sand (2010)·
##### Judges Citation (Director) – The Steppes (Syracuse International Film Festival, 2011)
##### Retrospectives and Special Awards·
##### Moscow International Film Festival Retrospective (2011)·
##### Moscow Press Award – Russia Abroad Film Festival (2011)·
##### Mill Valley Film Festival Award (2012)
##### Lifetime Achievement Awards·
##### Mill Valley Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·
##### Fargo International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·
##### St. Louis International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·
##### Kansas City Filmmaker’s Jubilee Lifetime Achievement Award·
##### Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Yerevan, Armenia – Master’s Award·
##### Syracuse International Film Festival – Sophia Award·
##### Love is Folly Film Festival, Varna, Bulgaria – Aphrodite Award
##### Credits
Director:
• Rob NilssonStory:
• Rob NilssonImprovised by the Cast:
• Bill Ackridge as Speed
• Dan Leegant as Marty
• Johnny Tidwell as Johnny
• Herb Mills as Steve
• Don Bajema as Roger
• Phil Polakoff as Phil
• Don De Fina as Setts
• Frank Triest as Tommy
• Jack Tucker as Hank
• David Schickele as Bert
• Paul Prince as Paul
• Paul West as Pump Man
• Bob Elross as Director
• Charles Webb as Producer
• Burns Ellison as Writer
• Jules Burstein as Dr. Berfman
• Sara Morris as Mrs. Berman
• Hagit Farber as Sophie
• Michelle Marrus as EllenCinematography:
• Geoffrey Schaaf
• Tomas TuckerProduction Manager:
• Karen J. McCabeElectrician:
• James ChildersJib Operator:
• Chris RhodesProduction Sound:
• Philip PerkinsArt Direction:
• Hildy Burns
• Steve BurnsMusic:
• Andy NarellEditor:
• Richard HarknessPost Production Sound:
• Mixer - Mark Berger
• Sound Effects - Cliff Latimer
• Supervising Editor - Robert ShoupProducers:
• Roy Kissin
• Ben Myron
• Don TaylorParking Tip:
$6 all-day parking at St. Mary’s Square Garage - Tap Dancing Christmas Trees: Three Generations on ParadeClarion Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA
A joyous documentary about the iconic Bay Area dance troupe: The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees and their unusual beginnings to their 6th time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees are a performance troupe based in Alameda, California. As the group’s name suggests, its members perform tap-dancing routines dressed as Christmas trees. The group originated from the DANCE/10 Performing Arts Center in Alameda when director and founder Pamm Drake led a holiday performance featuring tap-dancing Christmas trees cut down by a performer with a fake chainsaw. Popular demand led to the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees (intended to be a one-off performance) becoming a permanent fixture. The Trees have since performed annually at Christmas events around California and have appeared in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and on America’s Got Talent, among other accomplishments.
Watch TRAILER HERE!
Quote by Lori Cassels:
"I am also the executive producer of a 39 minute documentary on a unique Bay area dance troupe.
The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees of Alameda, have delighted audiences for over 30 years. Two years ago a friend was having dinner at my house and she was thrilled to tell us of her getting to go to Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with the TDCT, along with her daughter, who is also a tree. They call themselves trees. She shared that there is also a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter tree.I asked..."Is there a documentary about all this?" There is now."
The film was featured in San Francisco ArtHouse Film Festival
Q&A with the Director will be live**-**streamed on our YouTube channel
Parking Tip:
$6 all-day parking at St. Mary’s Square Garage
