SAN FRANCISCO—Pink and White Productions has announced that the 2021 San Francisco PornFilmFestival is now open for film submissions. The festival plans to return for its second year as a “hybrid” of virtual and cinema events which will run November 11-28, 2021.
When the San Francisco PornFilmFestival launched in 2020, its debut was envisioned as a two-day theatrical event. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to adapt and take the festival entirely online. The festival then bloomed into a five-day virtual attraction, streaming more than 90 films in seven programs, with audience Q&As, filmmaker talks, and on-demand content reaching more than 1,500 viewers worldwide. Thanks to the success of a crowdfunding campaign championed by sex tech and adult film communities, the virtual festival was developed and powered in-house by the company's adult film streaming platform PinkLabel.TV.
At the time, participants applauded the decision to go digital, sharing messages of appreciation and rating the festival a perfect score on FilmFreeway, with 5-star reviews across the board.
"COVID hit, yet they were able to find solutions, gather filmmakers, rally community, make quality selections, go fully online, and succeed in creating a wonderful, creative, memorable and magical moment," opined Ursinae, director of Vespéral Films.
"They really made the best out of the horrible Corona situation," said filmmaker Toni Karat.
"It's really amazing that the organizers came with an online version of this much awaited festival. The opportunity of catching up with missed screenings was extra useful considering the time zone differences. The whole experience has been refreshing and up-lifting," stated filmmaker Lina Bembe.
As vaccinations rampup throughout California and the world, festival organizers are optimistic about returning to in-person programming as originally planned. Going digital granted accessibility benefits for organizers, artists, and audiences alike, and proved that online screenings are worth repeating, even when it is once again safe to go to the theater. Therefore, the organizers are planning a hybrid virtual/cinema festival that will capture the best of both screening experiences. The entire festival will stream online November 11 through 28, with in-person cinema screenings, meet-ups, and other physical activities taking place in San Francisco as safety allows.
Whether online or in-person, adult filmmakers and porn aficionados from around the world will come together to celebrate a wide array of films that champion sexual diversity and artistic ingenuity.
A call for submissions is now open. Adult and erotic films of all country origins, languages, lengths, and release dates will be considered. The early-bird deadline is April 10, while the final submission closes on April 30. Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than July 1. The festival runs online November 11 through 28, with special in-person events in San Francisco to be announced. To submit a film for consideration, visit FilmFreeway.com/SFPFF.
For questions concerning submissions, press, and sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]. Those interested may follow the festival on Twitter at @SFPornFilmFest and Instagram at @SFP.FilmFest.
