SAFILM’s 31st Annual Edition Now In Full Swing
SAFILM – San Antonio Film Festival opened its 31st annual celebration of cinema on Tuesday night with two Texas premieres and debuted a new venue partnership with EVO Entertainment in Schertz. The Wasps, Executive Produced by Richard Linklater, debuted as the first SAFILM Festival screening at EVO Schertz, with Directors Jake Binstock and Parker Rouse in attendance. At Radius Center, The Compatriots premiered, with director Spencer Cohen in attendance. The Compatriots is a timely story of immigration, deportation, and friendship; with an encore presentation scheduled on Thursday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m. at Feik Rotunda at Tobin Center.
SAFILM will continue through Sunday at four city locations, showcasing over 200 films, including features, shorts, documentaries, student, international and local films during the six-day celebration of cinema. It is also honoring Shaquille O’Neal with the SAFILM Texas Yanaguana Award at the Grand Finale Awards Ceremony to close out the show, Sunday, July 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Tobin Center. The Grand Finale is free and open to the public.
The prestigious Texas Yanaguana Award will be accepted by Shaq’s brother, Jamal Harrison, who was in attendance for SAFILM’s Opening Night festivities and will be supporting the festival all week. During their youth, Shaquille O’Neal and his brother lived in San Antonio, Texas for some time, making a major impact on the brothers during critical childhood years. Unfortunately Shaq is unable to be there in person, but will be making a special video appearance during the Grand Finale Awards Ceremony.
FREE EDUCATIONAL INDUSTRY PANELS — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
LIVE Screenplay Readings hosted by Cedric Smith — Friday, July 25, with feature length scripts from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and short scripts from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Screenwriting Panel: Made in San Antonio! Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m., featuring screenwriters with roots in the Alamo City: Marcella Ochoa (My Name is Maria De Jesus), Richard Dane Scott (A Tooth Fairy Tale), and T. Barclay Spaugh (Field Afire). Moderated by Patty Sandoval Sralla, co-founder of the local San Antonio Screenwriters Guild.
All-Women Film Panel: Rebels and The Rebirth of CInema featuring Elizabeth Avellan. It will also include actress, writer and producer Feliz Ramirez (Grand Hotel) and acclaimed film producer Felicia Villarreal. Saturday, July 26th at 12:30 p.m. at Tobin Center in the Carlos Alvarez Theater. Moderated by Randy Beamer. Sponsored by CINEMA SOUNDOFF.
Selected Screenings
A Savage Art
Directed by Bill Banowsky
Wed., July 23, 7:00 p.m.
EVO Entertainment Schertz
Chronicles the life and career of Australian-born, Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Patrick Oliphant. His tenure as an American cartoonist spanned five decades and ten U.S. Presidents. The film highlights the effects of extreme political partisanship on media and editorial cartooning, showing how Oliphant used his biting wit, sharp critical eye and masterful drawing skills to take on presidents, popes and the powers that be.
My Little Moon
Directed by Ali Atshani
Thurs., July 24, 3:00 p.m.
Tobin Center McLaughlin Rotunda
The story of this film is based on real events during the protests last year against compulsory hijab and the killing of many young girls and boys in Iran by the Iranian regime.
Rainbow Door
Directed by Trent Moran
Thurs., July 24, 3:00 p.m.
Tobin Center: Carlos Alvarez Theatre
A writer struggles with a screenplay, death, alcohol and what color the door should be painted.
The Pantone Guy
Directed by Patrick Creadon
Thurs., July 24, 9:30 p.m.
Tobin Center McLaughlin Rotunda
At 96 years old, Larry Herbert, known as “The Pantone Guy,” is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Directed by Patrick Creadon (Wordplay, Hesburgh), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.
SAFILM Festival Badges are offered for VIP, Student, Weekend and Day access and includes entry to all film screenings, VIP/Filmmaker Lounge from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with hosted drinks and bites, exclusive invites to nightly After-Parties and the annual Grand Finale: 2025 SAFILM Award Ceremony on Sunday, July 27, celebrating the visionary artists across 20 competitive festival awards with a special presentation honoring Shaquille O’Neill with the Texas Yanaguana Award, accepted by his brother Jamal Harrison and special video message from Shaq. The Grand Finale Awards Ceremony, along with the Industry Panels and Workshops are FREE and open to the entire community.
More info, All-Access Badges and Individual Movie Tickets can be found here.
