As the curator and founder of the International Black Women’s Film Festival, you can believe I’ve scoped, prodded, questioned and “dealt with” a whole bunch of screening venues in San Francisco and Oakland.

To save you the hassles and the headaches, here are the “friendliest” and best locations to show your film!

Rental Fees:

$ = Cheap  | $$ = Affordable |  $$$ = You May Miss a VISA Payment |  $$$$ = You May Need to Sell a Kidney

5. Sundance Kabuki (Japantown – San Francisco)

1881 Post Street @ Fillmore, $$$$

The renovations that were done on this place are amazing! I’ve had the personal tour of seeing some of the changes, including their sustainable design, which includes bamboo flooring that simulates wood. A big plus is that they have a restaurant next door, and a bar, just in case you win the lotto and would  like a dining and dancing with your debut. (The San Francisco Film Society uses this space, so either you’ll think it’s the coolest spot ever, or just over saturated.)

4. San Francisco Main Public Library (Civic Center – San Francisco)

100 Larkin Street, $

This 235-seat gem of  a theater is tucked (or hidden) away in the basement of San Francisco’s Main Library. This site would have been my number-one choice, but the Coordinator, Amanda Hall, was sent to a different location, and replaced by a less friendlier version. The tech people are fantastic, and patient. The requirements are a bit archaic and confusing, but if you get someone who was as great as Amanda, you’ll just be slightly confused and overwhelmed. Also, remember, this is the PUBLIC library. Any and all manner of the public may just join your screening…

3.  Foreign Cinema (Mission District – San Francisco)

Between 21st and 22nd Streets, $$$$

Fine dining, wine and film… who could ask for anything more. The configuration may be a little quirky and uncomfortable, but it’s a good atmosphere for fundraising, premiere screenings and special occasions. The big plus is that they have other areas within the complex for either small, private dining, or a more lavish reception area.

2. The Oakland Museum (Lake Merritt – Oakland, CA)

1000 Oak Street, $$$

The 2009 International Black Women’s Film Festival held it’s gala opening at the Oakland Museum of California, and the venue was absolutely beautiful. Other local groups use the museum often, including the Bay Area’s First Friday group. The only drawback is: 1) They’re closed for renovations, and 2) the air-conditioning gets turned off after 5:00 pm.  Other than that, look for their  re-opening!

1. The Delancey Street Theater (South Beach – San Francisco)

600 Embarcadero Street, $$

The absolute best kept secret in San Francisco! This clean, professionally equipped theater is hidden within the Delancey Street complex on Embarcadero. It is run by the Delancey Street Foundation, a substance abuse recovery center, and it is one of the best models I’ve seen of a social entrepreneurship in action. This is the fourth time I’ve used this venue, and it’s a gem in the yuppified South Beach crown. It’s also a great example of the what San Francisco is really about. Check them out!

Who Are the Worst?

No vendetta, but I’ve had horrible luck trying to schedule bookings at the following places. Granted people are busy, but when you’re basically giving them money, you just expect a little better service, and maybe a better attitude out of some of them. (Sorry we weren’t Pixar, but we had the money, too…) Maybe you’ll have better luck or a secret decoder ring for getting a response.

1. The Victoria Theater (SF) – Stank attitude.

2. Museum of the African Diaspora (SF) – Just unresponsive

3. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF) – Always an excuse why the screening room is booked or scheduled for something else… no matter how early you try to book it.

4. African American Museum and Library (Oakland) – So unresponsive I just assumed they were shut down.

5. 111 Minna Street (SF) – Talk about passive-aggressive. Emails, nothin’. Telephone call and an actual connection with the instructions, “Sure! Just email me the details!” Crickets.  I’ve tried on several occasions for several years, and their just have their own posse and their own agenda… I guess.