All people who define themselves as New Yorkers, Tel-Avivians or Montréalais have some things in common with others who hold the same self-definition. But that sense of belonging does not necessarily compromise other affinities. How do some cities enable a multitude of identities and coexistence? The short films in this program explore identity in the city, including the unique approach of the documentary short film “#6261” on strangers-neighbors who share a relationship with this number in Montreal, and “Life-Sized City – Episode 5:Tel-Aviv”, exploring a city in conflict through grassroots urban initiatives that transcend religious, political and class boundaries.

After the film screenings, the five SFUFF program producers will step into the spotlight to share personal stories from their life in cities, illustrating how the scale and diversity of a city affords each of us the space to express our multitude of identities.

The audience will be invited to join in a Q&A about identity dynamics in the urban realm prompted by the same series of questions that the panel will answer to create a unified interactive discussion.

Panelists

Robert Ungar (Moderator)

Urban Designer, and Co-Founder of ONYA Collective, profiled in “Life Sized City – Episode 5: Tel Aviv”

Robin Abad Ocubillo

Program Producer, SF Urban Film Fest/Urban Planner & Designer

Fay Darmawi

Founder and Executive Producer, SF Urban Film Fest/Affordable Housing Consultant

Susie Smith

Program Producer, SF Urban Film Fest/Filmmaker

Omeed Manocheri

Program Producer, SF Urban Film Fest/Multi-Media Maker

Ron Sundstrom

Humanities Advisor, SF Urban Film Fest/Professor of Philosophy, University of San Francisco

Films

Life-Sized City – Episode 5: Tel Aviv
Canada | 2017 | 49 mins | Directed by Myriam Berthelet
The Canadian television series “Life-Sized City” is so popular that it’s in Season 3, but has only been broadcasted in Canada and Europe with limited distribution in the U.S. Catch a rare screening of Episode 5 of Season 1 on the fascinating city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel, with its reputation as a laid-back and permissive party town in a hotbed of conflict and turmoil.

#6261
Canada, Montreal | 2018 | 15 mins. | Directed by Kimura Byol and Nathalie Lemoine
The documentary “#6261” proposes an artistic vision of the city of Montreal at the intersection of the hybrid identities of the people who live there. The sense of belonging of eleven Montreal residents who share their local or international immigration experience is enriched by their understanding of elsewhere, others and globalization.

Al Ghorba
2018 | 6 mins. | Directed by Alia Hijaab
Through a series of dreams, a Syrian woman living far from home tries to deal with being unsettled and displaced from her war-torn country. “Al Ghorba” is an arabic word that can be translated to “the state of being a stranger,” when one is surrounded by strangers and is a stranger to them. This concept is center to the film for it describes one experience moving to a new land that is alienating to you.

Life in Gray
Brazil | 2018 | 15 mins. | Directed by Leonardi Martinelli
The North American premiere of a faux documentary about the ongoing social, political and economical crisis in Brazil, where the government cuts the colors of Rio de Janeiro, turning the city black and white.

The New York Woman (La Mujer Nueva York)
USA | 2018 | 2 mins. | Directed by Martin Pizarro Veglia
After a lot of work and savings, Isidora (27) achieves her dream of traveling to New York, but she likes the city so much that she begins to transform into it.

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