When operation of San Francisco’s Castro Theatre transferred to the live music promotion company Another Planet Entertainment in 2022, film fans who’d called the theater home were outraged. Why would anyone transform one of the Bay Area’s last remaining movie palaces, they asked, into yet another concert venue?
Another Planet quickly promised that the Castro would still host film, and a long saga ensued over renovation plans involving multi-level tiers, telescoping platforms and removable seating. Meanwhile, some smaller film festival organizers reported, and Another Planet confirmed, that the cost to rent the Castro for a film festival had increased.
While it remains to be seen if the larger film community will fully embrace the Castro after its $20-million-over-budget renovation, Another Planet on Wednesday announced its first slate of film festivals and special screenings at the theater.
After the SF Silent Film Festival makes its return to the Castro on May 6–10, 2026, Frameline will take up residency from June 17–27.
Single-day festival screenings offer films from Berlin and Beyond (March 19), the SF Silent Film Festival (Clara Bow in It, March 22), Movies for Maniacs (April 9) and SFFILM (April 24).
