San Francisco International Film Festival Opens with Star Power and Local Pride The 69th edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) kicked off on Friday night at the newly renovated Castro Theatre, drawing global stars and local pride as two high-profile premieres highlighted the city’s cultural significance. Olivia Wilde and Greta Lee, two acclaimed actors, unveiled their latest films, The Invite and Late Fame, respectively, with both projects deeply rooted in San Francisco’s unique character. The opening night event underscored the city’s role as a creative hub and a backdrop for storytelling, as well as the enduring appeal of in-person cinema. Wilde’s The Invite, a relationship-driven comedy filmed in San Francisco, premiered at the Castro Theatre, a venue she described as “exquisite” and historically significant. The film, which stars Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton, and Seth Rogen, follows two San Francisco couples whose casual dinner gathering spirals into unexpected drama. Wilde, who also directs and stars in the film, emphasized the city’s integral role in the story. “The film was written to be about San Franciscans,” she said, noting that her mother is from the city and that she has lived there her entire life. “I loved that the characters were from here. It felt like a natural fit.” The film was shot in locations such as North Beach and the Mission District, with the cast spending two days filming in the city. Wilde expressed deep emotion about screening the film at the Castro, which she called “a proper film projector” that evokes the cinematic experience of a century ago. Meanwhile, Greta Lee’s Late Fame, a drama co-starring Willem Dafoe, premiered to a packed audience at the same venue.#olivia_wilde #san_francisco_international_film_festival #castro_theatre #greta_lee #anne_lai
Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' Explores Bay Area Dynamics Through Dark Comedy Olivia Wilde’s new film The Invite, a claustrophobic and irreverent comedy directed by the actress herself, is set in San Francisco, a city that Wilde described as a “cultural melting pot” and a place where the “texture, vibe, and specificity” of daily life shape the story. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026 to universal acclaim, sparking a bidding war that led to its acquisition by distributor A24 for over $10 million. It is set for a theatrical release on June 26. The film’s San Francisco setting was integral to its narrative, with Wilde emphasizing that the story could only have been set in the city. The film’s opening screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) on April 25, 2026, drew significant attention, with Wilde in attendance. The film’s San Francisco scenes, which include locations like Molinari Delicatessen, A.P. Giannini Middle School in the Outer Sunset, and the Glen Park BART station, are presented as B-roll in the film but serve as a backdrop for a darkly comedic exploration of marriage, class, and social dynamics. Wilde, who stars as Angela, a mother and homemaker obsessed with renovating her vintage San Francisco apartment, described the city’s role in the story as essential. “When you see the film, it really does make sense that this particular group is from here,” she said during a Q&A following the screening. The film’s plot centers on Angela and her husband Joe (played by Seth Rogen), a disgruntled music teacher at an East Bay conservatory who cycles up San Francisco hills on a bike too small for him. Their marriage is on the brink of collapse, with the couple squabbling over trivial domestic details.#a24 #olivia_wilde #sundance_film_festival #san_francisco_international_film_festival #sffilm
