Sidewalk Cinema: “Twelve Pianos” Free Movie Screening | SF

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Sidewalk Cinema is pilot program from the creative partnership between the Lower Polk Community Benefit District and the SF Urban Film Fest that brings a series of screenings to the newly renovated Fern Alley in the Lower Polk neighborhood of San Francisco.

Fern Alley provides widened sidewalks, colorful street paving, and unique pedestrian lighting to the neighborhood, which is sorely lacking in public open space. The alley serves as the backdrop for the series, the first screening of which will center on ‘Third Spaces’ – the parklets, alleyways, sidewalks, parks, bars, and public libraries – that serve as places for building and strengthening communities, as well as settings for inward exploration.

The evening will begin with the short film “Cerebral City” by John Moody, a filmmaker turned M.I.T. trained urban planner, about the exploration of the urban spaces and the individual. This short film explores a woman’s discovery of Melbourne’s quirky public spaces and alleyways through the narration of a designer who helped transform Melbourne into the city it is today.

The main attraction of the evening will be the film “Twelve Pianos,” directed by Dean Mermell, in which San Francisco resident Mauro Ffortissimo and his band of piano-lovers push and pull pianos into the most unlikely places, including bumpy sidewalks and an abandoned building, to find inspiration and commune with music, the city, and nature. Dean Mermell and Maruo Ffortissimo will be in attendance and treating the audience to a short performance on a spinet piano, and hosting a Q&A after the screening.

An after party will be hosted by the Lower Polk Neighbors at Lush Lounge immediately after the event.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.